RFP 250000001155 M-24 skip paving.docx

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL # 250000001155

Department of Transportation Oakland Transportation Service Center HMA Skip Paving – M-24 in Oakland County

Solicitation Manager Name: Ruth Thole Direct Phone: 517-335-4972 Email: TholeR@michigan.gov

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for services to perform asphalt patch repairs along M-24 (Lapeer Rd) between Market St and Davison Lake Rd. The Contract will require milling, removal and disposal of existing bituminous asphalt, installation of binder, installation of finished course of hot mix asphalt, widening of shoulder, providing traffic control, installing pavement markings, and other defined work.

RFP Timeline

Deadline to complete work

July 31, 2025

*A bidder’s proposal received at 12:00:01 p.m. Eastern is late and subject to disqualification.

This RFP is subject to change. Check www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for current information.

PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. PROPOSAL PREPARATION. The State recommends reading all RFP materials prior to preparing a proposal, particularly these Proposal Instructions and the Vendor Questions Worksheet. Bidders must follow these Proposal Instructions and provide a complete response to the items indicated in the table below. References and links to websites or external sources may not be used in lieu of providing the information requested in the RFP within the proposal. Include the bidder’s company name in the header of all documents submitted with your proposal. Note that all documents and information submitted as part of a proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Proposals received by the State may be posted on the State’s publicly available website after bidders are notified of the award recommendation.

RFP Structure and Documentation

2. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE. The sole point of contact for the State concerning this RFP is:

Ruth Thole, Solicitation Manager 517-335-4972 TholeR@michigan.gov Contacting any other State personnel, agent, consultant, or representative about this RFP may result in bidder disqualification.

3. MODIFICATIONS. The State may modify this RFP at any time. Modifications will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. This is the only method by which the RFP may be modified.

4. QUESTIONS. Bidder questions about this RFP must be emailed to the Solicitation Manager at TholeR@michigan.gov no later than 3:00 pm Eastern Time on February 10, 2025. In the interest of transparency, only written questions are accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS.

5. DELIVERY OF PROPOSAL. The bidder must submit its proposal, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals electronically through www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. The price proposal should be saved separately from all other proposal documents. The bidder should submit all documents in a modifiable (native) format (examples include but are not limited to Microsoft Word or Excel and Google Docs or Sheets). In addition to submitting documents in a modifiable format, the bidder may also submit copies of documents in PDF. Attachment file size is limited to 30 MB per document. Bidder’s failure to submit a proposal as required may result in disqualification. The proposal and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the proposal deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit a proposal, as the SIGMA VSS system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The SIGMA VSS system will not allow a proposal to be submitted after the proposal deadline identified in the solicitation Closing On/Closing Date fields (Summary view/Detail view), even if a portion of the proposal has been uploaded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA VSS system can be answered by calling (517) 284-0540 or (888) 734-9749. The Solicitation Manager will not provide assistance related to the submittal of the proposal and all attachments on the day of the proposal deadline. Responsibility for a complete submission lies with the bidder. Note that all documents and information submitted in any manner as part of a proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Proposals received may be posted by the State on the State’s publicly available website after bidders are notified of the award recommendation.

6. MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. To avoid disqualification, the bidder must be currently listed as a MDOT Prequalified Contractor in the following categories:

Cb (Hot Mix Asphalt/Bituminous Paving) N93A (Cold Milling) N3 (Pavement Marking) The list of Prequalified Contractors may be found at https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/PSVR/PrequalifiedContractors.htm.

If the bidder is not prequalified in the required categories, they must indicate in its proposal a currently listed prequalified contractor(s) as the subcontractor(s).

Only proposals meeting the mandatory minimum requirements will be considered for evaluation.

7. EVALUATION PROCESS The State will evaluate each proposal on a PASS/FAIL basis based on the following criteria:

The State may utilize all bidder information to determine fair market value for goods or services sought. If applicable, the State’s evaluation will include consideration of a bidder’s qualified disabled veterans/service-disabled veteran owned business(QDV/SDVOB) status under MCL 18.1261(8). Additional information on the SDVOB preference is available at: Michigan.gov/SDVOB.

The State may but is not required to conduct an on-site visit to tour and inspect the bidder’s facilities; require an oral presentation of the bidder's proposal; conduct interviews, research, reference checks, and background checks; and request additional price concessions at any point during the evaluation process.

8. NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY. The State reserves the right to issue a Notice of Deficiency to bidders if the State determines after the proposal deadline that a portion of the RFP was deficient, unclear, or ambiguous. Failure to respond to a Notice of Deficiency timely may be cause for disqualification.

9. CLARIFICATION REQUEST. The State reserves the right to issue a Clarification Request to a bidder to clarify its proposal if the State determines the proposal is not clear. Failure to respond to a Clarification Request timely may be cause for disqualification.

10. RESERVATIONS. The State reserves the right to:

a. Disqualify a bidder for failure to follow these instructions.

b. Discontinue the RFP process at any time for any or no reason. The issuance of an RFP, your preparation and submission of a proposal, and the State’s subsequent receipt and evaluation of your proposal does not commit the State to award a contract to you or anyone, even if all the requirements in the RFP are met.

c. Consider late proposals if: (i) no other proposals are received; (ii) no complete proposals are received; (iii) the State received complete proposals, but the proposals did not meet mandatory minimum requirements or technical criteria; or (iv) the award process fails to result in an award.

d. Consider an otherwise disqualified proposal if no other proposals are received.

e. Disqualify a proposal based on: (i) information provided by the bidder in response to this RFP; (ii) the bidder’s failure to complete registration on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS ; or (iii) if it is determined that a bidder purposely or willfully submitted false or misleading information in response to the RFP.

f. Consider prior performance with the State in making its award decision.

g. Consider overall economic impact to the State when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation. This includes but is not limited to: considering principal place of performance, number of Michigan citizens employed or potentially employed, dollars paid to Michigan residents, Michigan capital investments, job creation, tax revenue implications, and economically disadvantaged businesses.

h. Consider total-cost-of-ownership factors (e.g., transition and training costs) when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation.

i. Refuse to award a contract to any bidder that has failed to pay State taxes or has outstanding debt with the State.

j. Enter into negotiations with one or more bidders on price, terms, technical requirements, or other deliverables.

k. Evaluate the proposal outside the scope identified in the Evaluation Process section of this document if the State receives only one proposal.

11. AWARD RECOMMENDATION. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who receives a PASS for each criterion and has the lowest price.

The State will publish an Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis, by posting a Notice of Intent to Award (NIA1) on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS

12. DEBRIEF MEETING AND BID PROTEST. The State will post an Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis which will provide instructions on how to request a debrief meeting.

If you wish to initiate a protest of the award, you must submit your written protest to Michael Meddaugh at MeddaughM@michigan.gov no later than 3:00 p.m., three (3) business days after posting the Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis on SIGMA VSS. The State reserves the right to adjust this timing and will publish any change Additional information about the protest process is available at DTMB - Programs and Policies (michigan.gov) under the “Bidder Protests” link.

13. STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD. Contracts equal to or greater than $500,000 require approval by the State Administrative Board. The State Administrative Board’s decision is final; however, its approval does not constitute a contract. The award process is not complete until the awarded contractor receives a contract fully executed by all parties.

14. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by a bidder participating in this solicitation. The bidder agrees that its proposal will be considered an offer to do business with the State in accordance with its proposal, including the Contract Terms, and that its proposal will be irrevocable and binding for a period of 180 calendar days from date of submission. If a contract is awarded to the bidder, the State may, at its option, incorporate any part of the bidder’s proposal into a contract. This RFP is not an offer to enter into a contract. This RFP may not provide a complete statement of the State’s environment or contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached. The bidder understands that their proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Other than verified trade secrets, proposals submitted via www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS are the State’s property.

15. THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. As a public record, all portions of the bidder’s proposal and resulting contract are subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231, et seq.

a. NO ADVICE. The State will not advise a bidder as to the nature or content of documents entitled to protection from disclosure under FOIA or other laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of trade secret or financial or proprietary information. Nothing contained in this provision will modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on the State by FOIA or other applicable law.

b. The State has the final authority to determine whether the materials are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. Bidder forever releases the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees from all claims, rights, actions, demands, damages, liabilities, expenses and fees, which arise out of or relate to the disclosure of all or a portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP. Bidder must defend, indemnify and hold the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees harmless, without limitation, from and against all actions, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, attorney fees, and expenses (including those required to establish the right to indemnification), arising out of or relating to any FOIA request, including potential litigation and appeals, related to the portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP that bidder has identified as a trade secret, or financial or proprietary information. The State will notify bidder in writing if indemnification is sought. The State is entitled to: (i) regular updates on proceeding status; (ii) participate in the defense of the proceeding; (iii) employ its own counsel; and to (iv) retain control of the defense, or any portion thereof, if the State deems necessary. Bidder will not, without the State’s written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise, or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any claim, action, or proceeding. If a State employee, official, or law is involved or challenged, the State may control the defense of that portion of the claim. Any litigation activity on behalf of the State, or any of its subdivisions under this Section, must be coordinated with the Department of Attorney General. An attorney designated to represent the State may not do so until approved by the Michigan Attorney General and appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

vendor questions worksheet Provide a detailed response to each question. “You” and “company” refers to the bidder.

Bidders responding to solicitations for MDOT’s Prequalification Maintenance Contracting (PMC) are not required to respond to the grayed-out questions in Sections #2, #5, and #7.

1. Contact Information

Bidder’s sole contact person during the RFP process:

Name:

Title:

Address:

Phone Number:

Email:

Person authorized to receive and sign a resulting contract:

Name:

Title:

Phone Number:

Email:

Sole contact authorized to give and receive Notices (see Standard Contract Terms, Point 2.)

Name, email address, and phone number. Include address if different than legal business address

Contractor’s Contract Administrator (see Standard Contract Terms, Point 3.)

Name, email address, and phone number. Include address if different than legal business address

Contractor’s Program Manager (see Standard Contract Terms, Point 4.)

Name, email address, and phone number. Include address if different than legal business address

2. Company Background Information

Legal business name.

Legal business address.

Business entity designation, e.g., sole proprietor, corporation, LLC, or LLP.

What state was the company formed in.

Phone number.

Website address.

Number of years in business.

Number of employees.

Legal business name and address of parent company, if any.

Has there been a recent change in organizational structure (e.g., management team) or control (e.g., merger or acquisition) of your company? If the answer is yes: (a) explain why the change occurred and (b) how this change has affected your company.

Discuss your company’s history. Has growth been organic, through mergers and acquisitions, or both?

Has bidder ever been debarred, suspended, or disqualified from bidding or contracting with any entity, including the State of Michigan? If yes, provide the date, the entity, and details about the situation.

Has your company been a party to litigation against the State of Michigan? If the answer is yes, then state the date of initial filing, case name and court number, and jurisdiction.

Within the last 5 years, has your company or any of its related business entities defaulted on a contract or had a contract terminated for cause? If yes, provide the date, contracting entity, type of contract, and details about the termination or default.

State your gross annual sales for each of the last 5 years.

If receiving a contract under this RFP will increase your gross revenue by more than 25% from last year’s sales, explain how the company will scale-up to manage this increase.

Describe partnerships and strategic relationships you think will bring significant value to the State.

State the physical address of the place of business that would have primary responsibility for this account if bidder is awarded a contract under this RFP.

Under MCL 18.1261, a “qualified disabled veteran” means a business entity that is 51% or more owned by 1 or more veterans with a service-connected disability. A “service-connected disability” means a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service as described in 38 USC 101(16).

To demonstrate qualification as a qualified disabled veteran, you must provide:

In lieu of the documentation identified above, the Contractor may provide proof of certification by the National Veterans Business Development Council.

4. Participation in RFP Development or Evaluation

If you enter “YES”, you are not eligible for contract award or to work as a subcontractor for the awarded vendor.

If you enter “YES,” you are not eligible for contract award. An awarded vendor may not partner or subcontract with anyone to provide goods and services required under a resulting contract if that subcontractor or partner assisted in the development of this solicitation.

If you enter “YES”, you are not eligible for contract award or to work as a subcontractor for the awarded vendor.

5. State of Michigan Experience and Prior Experience

Does your company have experience working with the State of Michigan? If so, please provide a list (including the contract number) of the contracts you hold or have held with the State for the last 10 years.

Describe at least 3 relevant experiences from the last 5 years supporting your ability to successfully manage a contract of similar size and scope for the work described in this RFP.

Experience 1

Company name.

Contact name.

Contact role at time of project.

Contact phone.

Contact email.

City.

State.

Zip.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

2. What role did your company play?

3. How is this project experience relevant to the subject of this RFP?

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

Experience 2

Company name.

Contact role at time of project.

City.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

Experience 3

Company name.

Contact role at time of project.

City.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

6. Standard Contract Terms

☐ Do not agree will all Contract Terms

7. Michigan Economic Impact

What is the number of employees currently employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

What is the number of additional employees to be employed at locations within the State of Michigan if awarded this Contract (if any).

What is the minimum wage paid to employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

What is the average wage paid to employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

What is the percentage of employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan that are covered by employer-provided health insurance.

8. Labor, Antidiscrimination and Environmental Laws Compliance

Bidder must disclose any violations of state or federal labor, antidiscrimination and employment laws and regulations received within the past five years.

Bidder must disclose any violations of state or federal environmental laws and regulations received within the past five years.

9. Supplier Diversity

Michigan.gov/MiProcurement

RFP 250000001155 2

Standard Contract terms This STANDARD CONTRACT (“Contract”) is agreed to between the State of Michigan (the “State”) and the Contractor. This Contract will be effective approximately March 14, 2025 (“Effective Date”), and unless terminated, will expire on September 30, 2025 (the “Term”).

The parties agree as follows:

1. Duties of Contractor. Contractor must perform the services and provide the deliverables (the “Contract Activities”) described in a Statement of Work, the initial Statement of Work is attached as Schedule A – Statement of Work. An obligation to provide delivery of any commodity is considered a service and is a Contract Activity.

Contractor must furnish all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies necessary for the performance of the Contract Activities unless otherwise specified in a Statement of Work.

Contractor must: (a) perform the Contract Activities in accordance with this Contract, including the Statement of Work contained in Schedule A and the 2020 Standard Specifications for Construction; however, in the case of a conflict, Schedule A will control; (b) meet or exceed the performance and operational standards, and specifications of the Contract; (c) provide all Contract Activities in good quality, with no material defects; (d) not interfere with the State’s operations; (e) obtain and maintain all necessary licenses, permits or other authorizations necessary for the performance of the Contract; (f) cooperate with the State, including the State’s quality assurance personnel, and any third party to achieve the objectives of the Contract; (g) return to the State any State-furnished equipment or other resources in the same condition as when provided when no longer required for the Contract; (h) assign to the State any claims resulting from state or federal antitrust violations to the extent that those violations concern materials or services supplied by third parties toward fulfillment of the Contract; (i) comply with all State physical and IT security policies and standards which will be made available upon request; and (j) provide the State priority in performance of the Contract except as mandated by federal disaster response requirements. Any breach under this paragraph is considered a material breach.

Contractor must also be clearly identifiable while on State property by wearing identification issued by the State, and clearly identify themselves whenever making contact with the State.

2. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Contract must be in writing and will be considered given and received: (a) when verified by written receipt if sent by courier; (b) when actually received if sent by mail without verification of receipt; or (c) when verified by automated receipt or electronic logs if sent by facsimile or email.

Ruth Thole MDOT Contract Services Division 425 W. Ottawa St.

Lansing, MI 48933 TholeR@michigan.gov 517-335-4972

3. Contract Administrator. The Contract Administrator, or the individual duly authorized for each party, is the only person authorized to modify any terms of this Contract, and approve and execute any change under this Contract (each a “Contract Administrator”):

Ruth Thole MDOT Contract Services Division 425 W. Ottawa St.

Lansing, MI 48933 TholeR@michigan.gov 517-335-4972

4. Program Manager. The Program Manager for each party will monitor and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Contract (each a “Program Manager”):

William Bair MDOT Oakland TSC 800 Vanguard Dr.

Pontiac, MI 48341 BairW@michigan.gov 248-431-2887

5. Performance Guarantee. Contractor must at all times have financial resources sufficient, in the opinion of the State, to ensure performance of the Contract and must provide proof upon request. The State may require a performance bond (as specified in a Statement of Work) if, in the opinion of the State, it will ensure performance of the Contract.

6. Insurance Requirements. Contractor, at its sole expense, must maintain the insurance coverage identified below. All required insurance must: (a) protect the State from claims that may arise out of, are alleged to arise out of, or otherwise result from Contractor's or a subcontractor's performance; (b) be primary and non-contributing to any comparable liability insurance (including self-insurance) carried by the State; and (c) be provided by a company with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or better, and a financial size of VII or better.

TABLE 6.1

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Minimum Limits $1,000,000 Each Occurrence $1,000,000 Personal & Advertising Injury $2,000,000 Products/Completed Operations $2,000,000 General Aggregate Contractor must have their policy endorsed to add “the State of Michigan, its departments, divisions, agencies, offices, commissions, officers, employees, and agents” as additional insureds using endorsement CG 20 10 11 85, or both CG 20 10 12 19 and CG 20 37 12 19.

Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance

Minimum Limits:

$5,000,000 General Aggregate Contractor must have their policy follow form.

Automobile Liability Insurance

Minimum Limits:

$1,000,000 Per Accident Contractor must have their policy: (1) endorsed to add “the State of Michigan, its departments, divisions, agencies, offices, commissions, officers, employees, and agents” as additional insureds; and (2) include Hired and Non-Owned Automobile coverage.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Minimum Limits:

Coverage according to applicable laws governing work activities.

Waiver of subrogation, except where waiver is prohibited by law.

Employers Liability Insurance

Minimum Limits:

$500,000 Each Accident $500,000 Each Employee by Disease $500,000 Aggregate Disease

If any of the required policies provide claims-made coverage, the Contractor must: (a) provide coverage with a retroactive date before the Effective Date of the Contract or the beginning of Contract Activities; (b) maintain coverage and provide evidence of coverage for at least 3 years after completion of the Contract Activities; and (c) if coverage is cancelled or not renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a retroactive date prior to the Contract Effective Date, Contractor must purchase extended reporting coverage for a minimum of 3 years after completion of work.

Contractor must: (a) provide insurance certificates to the Contract Administrator, containing the agreement or delivery order number, at Contract formation and within 20 calendar days of the expiration date of the applicable policies; (b) require that subcontractors maintain the required insurance contained in this Section; (c) notify the Contract Administrator within 5 business days if any insurance is cancelled; and (d) waive all rights against the State for damages covered by insurance. Failure to maintain the required insurance does not limit this waiver.

This Section is not intended to and is not to be construed in any manner as waiving, restricting or limiting the liability of either party for any obligations under this Contract (including any provisions hereof requiring Contractor to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the State).

7. Reserved.

8. Reserved.

9. Relationship of the Parties. The relationship between the parties is that of independent contractors. Contractor, its employees, and agents will not be considered employees of the State. No partnership or joint venture relationship is created by virtue of this Contract. Contractor, and not the State, is responsible for the payment of wages, benefits and taxes of Contractor’s employees and any subcontractors. Prior performance does not modify Contractor’s status as an independent contractor. Neither party has authority to contract for nor bind the other party in any manner whatsoever.

Intellectual Property Rights. If a Statement of Work requires Contractor to create any intellectual property, Contractor hereby acknowledges that the State is and will be the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest in the Contract Activities and all associated intellectual property rights, if any. Such Contract Activities are works made for hire as defined in Section 101 of the Copyright Act of 1976. To the extent any Contract Activities and related intellectual property do not qualify as works made for hire under the Copyright Act, Contractor will, and hereby does, immediately on its creation, assign, transfer and otherwise convey to the State, irrevocably and in perpetuity, throughout the universe, all right, title and interest in and to the Contract Activities, including all intellectual property rights therein.

10. Subcontracting. Contractor may subcontract work in accordance with Subsection 108.01 of the 2020 Standard Specifications for Construction.

11. Staffing. The State’s Contract Administrator may require Contractor to remove or reassign personnel providing services by providing a notice to Contractor.

12. Background Checks. Pursuant to Michigan law, all agencies subject to IRS Pub. 1075 are required to ask the Michigan State Police to perform fingerprint background checks on all employees, including Contractor and Subcontractor employees, who may have access to any database of information maintained by the federal government that contains confidential or personal information, including, but not limited to, federal tax information. Further, pursuant to Michigan law, any agency described above is prohibited from providing Contractors or Subcontractors with the result of such background check. For more information, please see Michigan Public Act 427 of 2018. Upon request, or as may be specified in a Statement of Work, Contractor must perform background checks on all employees and subcontractors and its employees prior to their assignment. The scope is at the discretion of the State and documentation must be provided as requested. Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with the requested background checks. The State, in its sole discretion, may also perform background checks.

13. Assignment. Contractor may not assign this Contract to any other party without the prior approval of the State. Upon notice to Contractor, the State, in its sole discretion, may assign in whole or in part, its rights or responsibilities under this Contract to any other party. If the State determines that a novation of the Contract to a third party is necessary, Contractor will agree to the novation and provide all necessary documentation and signatures.

14. Change of Control. Contractor will notify the State, within 30 days of any public announcement or otherwise once legally permitted to do so, of a change in Contractor’s organizational structure or ownership. For purposes of this Contract, a change in control means any of the following: (a) a sale of more than 50% of Contractor’s stock; (b) a sale of substantially all of Contractor’s assets; (c) a change in a majority of Contractor’s board members; (d) consummation of a merger or consolidation of Contractor with any other entity; (e) a change in ownership through a transaction or series of transactions; (f) or the board (or the stockholders) approves a plan of complete liquidation. A change of control does not include any consolidation or merger effected exclusively to change the domicile of Contractor, or any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes.

In the event of a change of control, Contractor must require the successor to assume this Contract and all of its obligations under this Contract.

15. Ordering. Contractor is not authorized to begin performance until receipt of authorization as identified in a Statement of Work.

16. Acceptance. Contract Activities are subject to inspection and testing by the State within 30 calendar days of the State’s receipt of them (“State Review Period”), unless otherwise provided in a Statement of Work. The State’s approvals, reviews, and inspections do not relieve the Contractor of its contractual obligations. The Contractor understands that any approvals, reviews, or inspections are undertaken for the sole use and information of the State and will not serve as a warranty as to the propriety of the Contractor’s performance.

If the Contract Activities are not fully accepted by the State, the State will notify Contractor by the end of the State Review Period that either: (a) the Contract Activities are accepted but noted deficiencies must be corrected; or (b) the Contract Activities are rejected. If the State finds material deficiencies, it may: (i) reject the Contract Activities without performing any further inspections; (ii) demand performance at no additional cost; or (iii) terminate this Contract in accordance with Section 24, Termination for Cause.

Within 10 business days from the date of Contractor’s receipt of notification of acceptance with deficiencies or rejection of any Contract Activities, Contractor must cure, at no additional cost, the deficiency and deliver unequivocally acceptable Contract Activities to the State. If acceptance with deficiencies or rejection of the Contract Activities impacts the content or delivery of other non-completed Contract Activities, the parties’ respective Program Managers must determine an agreed to number of days for re-submission that minimizes the overall impact to the Contract. However, nothing herein affects, alters, or relieves Contractor of its obligations to correct deficiencies in accordance with the time response standards set forth in this Contract.

If Contractor is unable or refuses to correct the deficiency within the time response standards set forth in this Contract, the State may cancel the order in whole or in part. The State, or a third party identified by the State, may perform the Contract Activities and recover the difference between the cost to cure and the Contract price.

17. Reserved.

18. Reserved.

19. Warranty Period. The warranty period, if applicable, for Contract Activities is a fixed period commencing on the date specified in a Statement of Work. If the Contract Activities do not function as warranted during the warranty period, the State may return such non-conforming Contract Activities to the Contractor for a full refund.

20. Invoices and Payment. Invoices must conform to the requirements communicated from time-to-time by the State. All undisputed amounts are payable within 45 days of the State’s receipt. Contractor may only charge for Contract Activities provided as specified in a Statement of Work. Invoices must include an itemized statement of all charges. The State is exempt from State sales tax for direct purchases and may be exempt from federal excise tax, if Services purchased under this Agreement are for the State’s exclusive use. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all fees are exclusive of taxes, and Contractor is responsible for all sales, use and excise taxes, and any other similar taxes, duties and charges of any kind imposed by any federal, state, or local governmental entity on any amounts payable by the State under this Contract.

The State has the right to withhold payment of any disputed amounts until the parties agree as to the validity of the disputed amount. The State will notify Contractor of any dispute within a reasonable time. Payment by the State will not constitute a waiver of any rights as to Contractor’s continuing obligations, including claims for deficiencies or substandard Contract Activities. Contractor’s acceptance of final payment by the State constitutes a waiver of all claims by Contractor against the State for payment under this Contract, other than those claims previously filed in writing on a timely basis and still disputed.

The State will only disburse payments under this Contract through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Contractor must register with the State at http://www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS to receive electronic fund transfer payments. If Contractor does not register, the State is not liable for failure to provide payment. Without prejudice to any other right or remedy it may have, the State reserves the right to set off at any time any amount then due and owing to it by Contractor against any amount payable by the State to Contractor under this Contract.

Excluding federal government charges and terms, Contractor warrants and agrees that each of the fees, economic or product terms or warranties granted pursuant to this Contract are comparable to or better than the equivalent fees, economic or product term or warranty being offered to any commercial or government customer (including any public educational institution within the State of Michigan) of Contractor. If Contractor enters into any arrangements with another customer of Contractor to provide the products or services, available under this Contract, under more favorable prices, as the prices may be indicated on Contractor’s current U.S. and International price list or comparable document, then this Contract will be deemed amended as of the date of such other arrangements to incorporate those more favorable prices, and Contractor will immediately notify the State of such fee and formally memorialize the new pricing in a change notice.

21. Liquidated Damages. Liquidated damages will be assessed as described in a Statement of Work. The parties understand and agree that any liquidated damages (which includes but is not limited to applicable credits) set forth in this Contract are reasonable estimates of the State’s damages in accordance with applicable law. The parties acknowledge and agree that Contractor could incur liquidated damages for more than 1 event. The assessment of liquidated damages will not constitute a waiver or release of any other remedy the State may have under this Contract for Contractor’s breach of this Contract, including without limitation, the State’s right to terminate this Contract for cause under Section 24 and the State will be entitled in its discretion to recover actual damages caused by Contractor’s failure to perform its obligations under this Contract. However, the State will reduce such actual damages by the amounts of liquidated damages received for the same events causing the actual damages. Amounts due the State as liquidated damages may be set off against any fees payable to Contractor under this Contract, or the State may bill Contractor as a separate item and Contractor will promptly make payments on such bills.

22. Stop Work Order. The State may suspend any or all activities under the Contract at any time. The State will provide Contractor a written stop work order detailing the suspension. Contractor must comply with the stop work order upon receipt. Within 90 calendar days, or any longer period agreed to by Contractor, the State will either: (a) issue a notice authorizing Contractor to resume work, or (b) terminate the Contract or delivery order. The State will not pay for Contract Activities, Contractor’s lost profits, or any additional compensation during a stop work period.

23. Termination for Cause. (a) The State may terminate this Contract for cause, in whole or in part, if Contractor, as determined by the State: (i) endangers the value, integrity, or security of any facility, data, or personnel; (ii) becomes insolvent, petitions for bankruptcy court proceedings, or has an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding filed against it by any creditor; (iii) engages in any conduct that may expose the State to liability; (iv) breaches any of its material duties or obligations under this Contract; or (v) fails to cure a breach within the time stated by the State in a notice of breach, if in its sole discretion the State has chosen to provide a time to cure. Any reference to specific breaches being material breaches within this Contract will not be construed to mean that other breaches are not material.

(b) If the State terminates this Contract under this Section, the State will issue a termination notice specifying whether Contractor must: (i) cease performance immediately. Contractor must submit all invoices for Contract Activities accepted by the State within 30 days of the date of termination. Failure to submit an invoice within that timeframe will constitute a waiver by Contractor for any amounts due to Contactor for Contract Activities accepted by the State under this Contract or (ii) continue to perform for a specified period. If it is later determined that Contractor was not in breach of the Contract, the termination will be deemed to have been a Termination for Convenience, effective as of the same date, and the rights and obligations of the parties will be limited to those provided in Section 25, Termination for Convenience.

The State will only pay for amounts due to Contractor for Contract Activities accepted by the State on or before the date of termination, subject to the State’s right to set off any amounts owed by the Contractor for the State’s reasonable costs in terminating this Contract. Contractor must promptly reimburse to the State any fees prepaid by the State prorated to the date of such termination, including any prepaid fees. The Contractor must pay all reasonable costs incurred by the State in terminating this Contract for cause, including administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, court costs, transition costs, and any costs the State incurs to procure the Contract Activities from other sources.

Termination for Convenience. The State may immediately terminate this Contract in whole or in part without penalty and for any reason or no reason, including but not limited to, appropriation or budget shortfalls. The termination notice will specify whether Contractor must: (a) cease performance of the Contract Activities immediately. Contractor must submit all invoices for Contract Activities accepted by the State within 30 days of the date of termination. Failure to submit an invoice within that timeframe will constitute a waiver by Contractor for any amounts due Contractor for Contract Activities accepted by the State under this Contract, or (b) continue to perform the Contract Activities in accordance with Section 26, Transition Responsibilities. If the State terminates this Contract for convenience, the State will pay all reasonable costs, as determined by the State, for State approved Transition Responsibilities to the extent the funds are available.

24. Transition Responsibilities. Upon termination or expiration of this Contract for any reason, Contractor must, for a period of time specified by the State (not to exceed 90 calendar days), provide all reasonable transition assistance requested by the State, to allow for the expired or terminated portion of the Contract Activities to continue without interruption or adverse effect, and to facilitate the orderly transfer of such Contract Activities to the State or its designees. Such transition assistance may include, but is not limited to: (a) continuing to perform the Contract Activities at the established Contract rates; (b) taking all reasonable and necessary measures to transition performance of the work, including all applicable Contract Activities, training, equipment, software, leases, reports and other documentation, to the State or the State’s designee; (c) transferring title in and delivering to the State, at the State’s discretion, all completed or partially completed deliverables prepared under this Contract as of the Contract termination date; and (d) preparing an accurate accounting from which the State and Contractor may reconcile all outstanding accounts (collectively, “Transition Responsibilities”). This Contract will automatically be extended through the end of the transition period.

25. Return of State Property. Upon termination or expiration of this Contract for any reason, Contractor must take all necessary and appropriate steps, or such other action as the State may direct, to preserve, maintain, protect, or return to the State all materials, data, property, and confidential information provided directly or indirectly to the Contractor by any entity, agent, vendor, or employee of…