Bundled / Bulk Firewood for resale and winter cabin heating

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks and Recreation Division, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP No. 230000001598) on March 15, 2023, to procure bundled and bulk firewood for resale and winter heating at state park campgrounds throughout Michigan. The procurement seeks both heat-treated and non-heat-treated firewood bundles and face cords to prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases, particularly the emerald ash borer. The solicitation encompasses 26 bundled firewood delivery locations across 23 state parks and recreation areas with estimated annual requirements ranging from 1,000 to 11,000 bundles per location, plus two cabin facilities requiring 70 and 100 face cords annually, totaling approximately 147,000 bundles per year. Bidders must demonstrate compliance with all statutes and quarantine requirements, provide detailed information on wood sourcing and transport distances, and comply with location-specific delivery specifications including vehicle size restrictions, unloading requirements, pallet handling, and hand-stacking obligations. Mandatory proposal documents include a Confidential Treatment Form, Vendor Questions Worksheet, Schedule A (Statement of Work), Schedule B (Price Quote), Schedule B1 (Location Specification Sheets), and Schedule B2 (Price Spreadsheet). The proposal deadline is March 31, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. EST, with questions due by March 22, 2023, and answers posted by March 24, 2023. The State anticipates contract execution by May 1, 2023, with deliveries beginning as early as May 8, 2023. Proposals are evaluated first on the Vendor Questions Worksheet and Statement of Work; those receiving PASS ratings proceed to pricing evaluation and are considered for award based on best value to the State, including heat-treatment type, price, and ability to meet location-specific delivery requirements.

The RFP contains no disclosed set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types eligible to respond. Pricing must be submitted on Schedule B1 and Schedule B2 with vendors specifying price per bundle or face cord for each location, with the option to propose additional upcharges for expedited orders requiring less than seven-day delivery lead times. Pricing shall remain firm for 365 days from the contract effective date, with adjustments subject to documented cost changes and mutual agreement. Awards are not restricted to a single vendor; the State reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors based on best value considerations. Contract terms vary by heat-treatment status: five-year base contracts with up to five one-year renewal options for heat-treated firewood meeting USDA/APHIS Treatment Schedules T314-c or T314-a, three-year base contracts with up to seven one-year renewal options for bidders working toward kiln certification, or three-year base contracts with up to two one-year renewal options for non-heat-treated wood proposals. The RFP does not disclose specific budget ranges or award values; however, the annual volume of approximately 147,000 bundles distributed across multiple locations indicates a substantial procurement opportunity for qualified firewood suppliers.