Request for Information Soap Flakes..doc

Request for Information

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Department of Corrections Procurement

Soap Flakes or Pellets, MSI

Request for Information

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to obtain information on soap flakes or pellets This information gathered is intended to assist the State of Michigan to better understand (a) types of soap flakes or pellets available, (b) various testing methods (d) industry best practices, Anticipated Timeline Issue Date

8/7/2020 Deadline to Submit Questions

5:00 p.m. EDT

8/17/2020 Anticipated Date State Will Post Answers to Questions

8/18/2020 Deadline to Submit Response 3:00 p.m. EDT 8/21/2020 Follow up to responses, if necessary

9/4/2020 The information in this document is subject to change. Check www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for the current information.

STATE OF MICHIGAN

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE. The sole point of contact concerning this Request for Information (RFI) is:

Cathy Carr, Buyer CarrC@michigan.gov 517-241-2192

2. QUESTIONS. Questions concerning the RFI must be emailed to CarrC@michigan.gov no later than the time and date specified on the cover page of this document. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS.

Questions should be submitted using the following format:

3. RESERVED.

4. DELIVERY OF RESPONSE. Vendors should provide an informational response on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS no later than the date and time located on the cover page of this document. All documents should be created using tools that are compatible with the Microsoft Office Suite 97 standard desktop tools, without need for conversion. System prompts for pricing attachments and information can be disregarded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA system can be answered by calling (517) 373-4111 or (888) 734-9749.

5. ORAL PRESENTATION. The State reserves the right to invite some vendors for oral presentations.

6. GENERAL RESPONSE CONDITIONS. The State will not be liable for any costs incurred in preparation of vendor’s response, delivery of the response, and any follow-up discussions with the State. This RFI is not an offer to enter into a contract.

7. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. All portions of a response are subject to disclosure as required under the Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, 1976 Public Act 422.

8. RIGHTS TO INFORMATION CONTAINED IN RESPONSES. All informational responses will be considered the property of the State.

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Request for Information Soap Flakes or Pellets, MSI

The purpose for this Request for Information (RFI) includes, but is not limited to, collecting market information to better understand types of soap flakes or pellets available. The information gathered may be used to assist the State in developing program strategy and possibly developing a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The State of Michigan plans to post an upcoming bid for soap flakes or pellets for use in manufacturing soap for correctional facilities in the near future. If you have a comparable product, please respond this RFI and submit a sample as outlined below. Vendors may provide more than one option provided that they supply the specifications for each option. The State will determine, in its sole discretion, which if any, products are incorporated into the upcoming bid document.

Company full name and address:

Bidder Response:

Name, telephone number, and email address of the individual(s) who will serve as your company’s authorized contact:

Bidder Response:

Please identify who was involved in developing the response to this RFI:

Bidder Response:

1. Program Overview

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) Michigan State Industries (MSI) manufactures goods and provides services to State agencies, tax supported entities, and local government units. MSI manufactures soap for sale to the MDOC.

2. Requirements Below are MSI’s current specifications for soap flakes/soap pellets. Vendors are asked to redline the product specifications below or add additional requirements. Vendors should also attach a copy of their product’s specifications. The State will determine, in its sole discretion, which if any redlines or alternative specifications are incorporated into the upcoming bid document.

A. General Specifications – Please redline any changes to the specifications below.

a. Soap base for cosmetic and toilet soap production,

b. white noodles or pellets with mild pleasant soap odor,

c. 80 – 85 percent tallow,

d. 15-20 percent coconut oil,

e. acid valve of fatty acids 214 – 218,

f. chlorides salt (as NACL) 0.03 – 0.66 percent,

g. Percent glycerin 0.28 – 0.74 percent,

h. Percent free alkali (as NAOH) 0.001 – 0.08 percent,

i. moisture content: 10 – 15 percent,

j. iodine valve of fatty acids: 36.0 – 43.0,

k. anhydrous soap 79 percent minimum.

l. Certificate of analysis must be provided with each shipment for quality assurance and verification of compliance to specifications.

B. Do you supply flakes, pellets or both? Are flakes or pellets the best option for MDOC soap products? Please explain why, include the advantages or disadvantages of each.

Bidder Response:

C. Are there industries standards for the products? If so, please specify the standards.

Bidder Response:

D. Are there industry standards for testing of soap products? If so, please specify the standards.

Bidder Response:

E. What standards do manufacturers use to test these products? How do you test your products?

Bidder Response:

F. How would you recommend that MDOC determine the products effectiveness and verify that it meets specifications? Or do you recommend that the proposed products are not tested by MDOC because manufacturers have already complied with industry standards?

Bidder Response:

G. How do other customers validated that your products meet specifications?

Bidder Response:

H. How do you, and/or your manufacturer, perform quality control to ensure products delivered match specifications?

Bidder Response:

I. If you are proposing an alternative to the above specifications, please explain why you feel your proposed product meets or exceeds MSI’s needs.

Bidder Response:

J. Please provide any additional pertinent information.

Bidder Response:

K. If an RFP is issued for provision of this product, is it likely that your company will bid on it?

Bidder Response:

L. If no, why not?

Bidder Response:

Version 1 Revised: 07-28-2017