invitation_to_negotiate.docx

State of Michigan Invitation to Negotiate

INVITATION TO NEGOTIATE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE AND CONTRACT WITH A SINGLE PROVIDER

Date: 6/17/21

The State of Michigan intends to make a purchase for which it believes there is no viable alternative. The purpose of this notice is to attempt to identify possible alternatives.

Requestor: Department of Natural Resources

1. State Contact Information:

The sole point of contact concerning this Invitation to Negotiate is:

Kip Conley, Solicitation Manager Telephone number, 517-388-5956 Conleyk1@michigan.gov

2. Description of Purchase:

The Michigan Department of Natural Resource (DNR), Forest Resources Division and the Michigan State University (MSU), Department of Forestry have an established 50-year partnership in the Michigan Cooperative Tree Improvement Program (MICHCOTIP). MICHCOTIP focuses on both improved genetics for red and jack pine growth and yield and resistance breeding for restoration of tree species (including those in the ash family) that have been impacted by non-native insects and diseases. The organization functions as the means to collaborate on forest genetics and tree improvement as well as implement activities that produce genetically superior seed and planting stock for the 6-7 million trees per year DNR tree planting program. The program does this through establishment and management of progeny test plantings at both the DNR Brighton Tree Improvement Center, other DNR tree nursery lands, and MSU-owned properties for the purposes of identifying lines of genetically superior trees, and for establishing and managing seed orchards of genetically improved trees to produce seed for the DNR tree planting program. Other agencies and private companies have previously been members of the cooperative, but DNR- FRD and MSU are the sole contributor partners at the present time. The MSU employee who currently serves as the director of MICHCOTIP is preparing to retire and a successor director is needed. It is the mutual desire of MSU and DNR that the successor director be a PhD faculty position with specialization in the field of forest genetics.

3. Commodity Code References: 95845

4. Description of Action: Result of the ITN will be a multi-year contract.

5. Intended Source: Michigan State University

6. Questions: Questions concerning the Invitation to Negotiate must be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS no later than 6/21/21. In the interest of transparency, only written questions will be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS.

Responders should submit their questions using the following format:

7. Response Deadline: Any potential bidder who does not agree that this good or service is available only from the intended source, must submit a response to the Solicitation Manager by 6/24/21. Your response must be in writing and describe the product or service you are offering as an equivalent.

Version 3 Revised: 5/2019