Bundled, Bulk or Artificial Firewood for Re-Sale by DNR

The State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks and Recreation Division, issued Request for Proposal No. 180000001116 on February 9, 2018, to procure bundled, bulk, or artificial firewood for resale at approximately 80 state campgrounds and recreation areas across Michigan. The procurement seeks firewood products designed to prevent the spread of invasive species and disease, particularly the emerald ash borer, which has been traced to 80 percent of outlier infestations through firewood transport. Vendors may submit proposals for any combination of locations organized into ten geographic regions, with total annual requirements ranging from 110 to 11,000 bundles depending on the specific site. Bundled firewood must meet minimum specifications of three-quarters cubic foot per bundle with 60-90 percent hardwood content and appropriate piece sizing, while bulk firewood must be cut to 14-16 inches in length with 2-5 inch diameters from northern hardwood species. The State evaluates proposals using a tiered system prioritizing USDA/APHIS certified heat-treated wood at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 75 minutes or 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes, followed by vendors pursuing kiln certification and non-heat-treated wood with restrictions. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the SIGMA VSS system by March 9, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. EST, with vendor questions due by February 23, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. EST and answers posted by March 2, 2018. The anticipated contract start date is May 1, 2018, with an initial base term of five years plus five one-year renewal options, and the State reserves the right to award multiple contracts based on best value considerations including technical merit, pricing, economic impact to Michigan, and prior performance history. All proposals must include completed vendor questions worksheets, statements of work, location-specific quotations, and wood origin certifications confirming compliance with emerald ash borer and thousand cankers disease quarantine requirements.

No set-aside designations are explicitly specified for disadvantaged or minority-owned enterprises; however, vendors must disclose whether they qualify as minority or disabled veteran-owned businesses under Michigan Code. Bidders must comply with all quarantine restrictions, including the prohibition of ash wood in all bundles regardless of heat treatment and restrictions on firewood originating from designated regulated areas for thousand cankers disease. All vendors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, umbrella/excess liability of $5,000,000, automobile liability of $1,000,000, workers' compensation, and employers' liability of $500,000 with carriers rated "A" or better by A.M. Best. Contractors must comply with Michigan prevailing wage requirements and are subject to contractual deductions of $75-$100 plus additional daily penalties for failure to meet delivery timeframes, quality standards, or unloading requirements. Payment terms specify that all undisputed invoices are payable within 45 days of receipt through electronic funds transfer, with all prices inclusive of taxes. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents; however, the procurement encompasses delivery to approximately 80 locations with cumulative annual requirements potentially exceeding 100,000 bundles, suggesting a substantial contract value subject to State Administrative Board approval if the contract exceeds $500,000.