Project Information

Bid Title

RFQ 2026-057 Robotics Purchases

Issuing Agency

University of Maine

Location

Maine

Published Date

Jan 22, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 27, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

2026-057

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

bid #	due date	due time	commodity	attachments	addenda
2026-057	27-Feb-2026	11:59 pm	RFQ 2026-057 Robotics Purchases	No attachments available	No addenda file(s) available

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Administered by University of Maine System

Office of Strategic Procurement

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Robotics Purchases

RFQ #2026-057

Issued Date: January 21, 2026

Response Deadline Date/Time: February 27, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

EST

Response Submission Information:

Submitted electronically to UMSResponses@maine.edu

Email Subject Line – DH: Robotics - RFQ#2026-057

Response Contact Information:

Email: UMSResponses@maine.edu

Request for Qualifications – Robotics Dated: January 20, 2026

Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications................................................. 3

1.2 General Information ............................................................................................................... 5

1.3 General Submission Provisions ......................................................................................... 9

2.0 EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCESS............................................................................... 11

2.1 Evaluation Criteria................................................................................................................ 11

2.2 Award....................................................................................................................................... 12

2.3 Tie Bids.................................................................................................................................... 12

2.4 Negotiations ........................................................................................................................... 12

2.5 Award Protest ........................................................................................................................ 12

3.0 RESPONSE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................. 13

3.1 General Format Instructions.............................................................................................. 13

3.2 Response Format Instructions ......................................................................................... 13

Appendix A – University of Maine System Response Cover Page................................... 15

Appendix B – Debarment, Performance and Non-Collusion Certification...................... 16

Appendix C – Master Agreement ............................................................................................... 17

Appendix C1 – Evaluation Question(s) – Master Agreement ............................................. 31

Appendix D – Organization Reference Form .......................................................................... 35

Appendix E – Submission Materials – Robotics Training & Services Suppliers .......... 36

Appendix F – Submission Materials – Collaborative Robots (Cobots) ........................... 38

Appendix G – Submission Materials – Rail, Movability, and AMR Systems .................. 43

Appendix H – Submission Materials – Safety Systems ....................................................... 46

Appendix I – Submission Materials – Electrical support..................................................... 48

Appendix J – Submission Materials – Humanoid & Legged Robotic Systems ............. 51

Appendix K – Submission Materials – Robot End Effectors & Extrusion Systems ..... 55

Appendix L – Submission Materials – Software support .................................................... 59

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

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Request for Qualifications – Robotics Dated: January 20, 2026

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications

1.1.1 Definitions

The University of Maine System will hereinafter be referred to as the "University."

Respondents to the document shall be referred to as "Respondent(s)” or

“Respondent”.

The Respondent to whom the Agreement is awarded shall be referred to as the

"Contractor."

The University of Maine System and other components of the University shall be

referred to as “Multi-Institution”.

1.1.2

Background

Overview

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) unites six distinctive

public universities, comprising 10 campuses and numerous centers, in the

common purpose of providing quality higher education while delivering on its

traditional tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service.

A comprehensive public institution of higher education, UMS serves more than

30,000 students annually and is supported by the efforts of more than 2,000 full-

time and part-time faculty, more than 3,000 regular full-time and part-time staff,

and a complement of part-time temporary (adjunct) faculty.

Reaching more than 500,000 people annually through educational and cultural

offerings, the University of Maine System also benefits from more than two-thirds

of its alumni population residing within the state; more than 123,000 individuals.

The System consists of six universities: The University of Maine (UMaine),

including its regional campus the University of Maine at Machias (UMM); the

University of Maine at Augusta (UMA); the University of Maine at Farmington

(UMF); the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), the University of Maine at

Presque Isle (UMPI); and the University of Southern Maine (USM). The System

also includes the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine

Graduate and Professional Center.

Campus thumbnails

University of Maine

The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant and

sea grant university. As the state’s only public research university, UMaine has a

statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and

community service. UMaine is among the most comprehensive higher education

institutions in the Northeast with nearly 100 majors and academic programs. It

attracts students from Maine and 49 other states, and more than 60 countries. It

currently enrolls more than 11,400 undergraduate and graduate students who can

directly participate in research, working with world-class scholars. UMaine offers

more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn graduate

certificates, master's, doctoral or professional science master's degrees. The

university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campus

wide aimed at conserving energy, recycling and adhering to green building

standards in new construction.

University of Maine System RFQ

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Request for Qualifications – Robotics Dated: January 20, 2026

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), located on the

University of Maine campus in Orono, Maine is a national and international leader

in commercially scaled next-generation research and development (R&D) on

composites materials and structures.

1.1.3

Purpose

The University is seeking to identify and qualify vendors who have supplied

equipment or services related to the acquisition, training, and deployment of cobot

robotics systems. This information will support the development of an internal

Request for Quotation (RFQ) and ensure alignment with industry-standard

procurement and training pathways.

The areas of interest to the University are:

Goods: Providers of Dooson training robots, ABB training robots, UR training

robots, and associated hardware or accessories. Vendors supplying compatible

peripherals, controllers, or ancillary robotic equipment used during training or

integration.

Services: Vendors offering certified training, onboarding, or education for Dooson,

ABB and UR platforms. Integrators or solution providers who support installation,

commissioning, or customization of these training robots. Firms offering

consultation relevant to RFQ development for robotic systems.

Given the range of potential vendor roles and capabilities, the University

anticipates qualifying multiple firms. The outcome of this information-gathering

process will be a list of organizations capable of supporting some or all of the goods

and services described in 1.1.4.

Though this document is primarily for the University of Maine, all campuses in the

University of Maine System must be afforded the use of this solution, with all the

same terms and conditions applicable to the various University locations.

1.1.4 Specifications / Scope of Work

All respondents must fill out Appendices A through D. Respondents must

fill out Appendices E through L that are relevant to the goods and services

that they offer. Respondents do not need to respond to all Appendices E

through L.

Goods Suppliers

“Goods” refers to robotic equipment and associated hardware that can

be purchased as standard catalog items from a qualified vendor.

The off-the-shelf robotic equipment the University is seeking in this RFQ

process includes, but is not limited to:

• Universal Robots (UR) cobots, including UR5e, UR10e, UR20,

UR30, and educational bundles

• Dooson training robots and accessories

• ABB training robots (educational or industrial training models)

University of Maine System RFQ

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Request for Qualifications – Robotics Dated: January 20, 2026

• General robotics equipment, including controllers, robot arms,

end-of-arm tooling, grippers, safety peripherals, vision systems,

workstations, and training kits

• Standard catalogs of compatible hardware and consumables that

support training, research, or integration

The University is seeking vendors capable of providing high-quality, well-

documented robotic equipment with consistent delivery timelines and

agreement to University standard purchasing terms & conditions.

All Goods Suppliers shall complete relevant appendices E through L to

outline product offerings, specifications, and capabilities.

Service Suppliers

“Service” refers to professional support capabilities that aid in the

deployment, training, or lifecycle use of UR, Dooson, ABB, or general

robotics systems.

The robotics-related services the University is seeking in this RFQ

process include, but are not limited to:

• Certified training programs for UR, ABB, Dooson, or other

industrial/educational robot platforms

• Installation, integration, and commissioning of robotic

systems

• Programming support (URScript, RAPID, Python, etc.) and

application development

• Technical support, troubleshooting, on-site or remote

assistance

• Preventative maintenance, calibration, and repair services

• Consultation for academic program development, laboratory

setup, safety compliance, or future robotics initiatives

The University is interested in organizations with demonstrated expertise

in robotics training, support, and integration, and who agree to University

standard purchasing terms & conditions.

All Service Providers shall complete relevant Appendices E through L

to outline the services available and relevant qualifications.

1.2 General Information

1.2.1 Contract Administration and Conditions

1.2.1.1 This RFQ will result in a “Qualified Vendor List”. The University will

engage qualified vendors to make purchases on an as needed basis.

The Qualified Vendor List will remain active for five years from the date

it is posted. Respondent will be required to execute a contract in the

form of a University of Maine System Master Agreement, which is

attached to this response as Appendix C.

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

Page 5 of 60

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