DNR: Fabricated Polypropylene Skid Tanks

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking to procure four fabricated polypropylene skid tanks for firefighting equipment, specifically one 150-gallon tank and three 200-gallon tanks. The procurement is a formal Request for Bid (RFB) focused on specialized equipment for wildfire response, with strict technical specifications requiring UV-stabilized 1/2" black polypropylene construction, nitrogen welded seams, transverse and longitudinal partitions, combination vent/overflow, and manual fill towers. Vendors must submit responses electronically through the SWIFT Supplier Portal by January 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with all technical specifications and pricing to be entered directly into the system. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted in writing to Cherri.Neuschwander@state.mn.us no later than January 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT. The contract term is anticipated to run from January 28, 2025, through June 30, 2025, with a required delivery date of April 1, 2025, to the DNR Forestry location in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Contractors must provide detailed technical information, participate in pre-construction meetings, provide build process updates, and conduct a final review before delivery.

The solicitation includes several set-aside and preference provisions designed to support diverse and small businesses. A 12% preference is offered for certified targeted group, economically disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses, with the preference applying to the first $2 million of the bid. The state specifically encourages participation from Minnesota-based small businesses and businesses majority-owned by racial minorities, women, persons with substantial physical disabilities, veterans, or service-disabled veterans. Environmental preferences are also included, favoring recycled materials when costs do not exceed non-recycled alternatives by more than 10%. The RFB explicitly prohibits responses from brokers, allowing only authorized distributors or manufacturer's representatives to submit bids. Additionally, the solicitation includes restrictions on products containing specific chemicals under Amara's Law, effective January 1, 2025. While no specific budget range is provided, the technical complexity and specialized nature of the skid tanks suggest a significant investment in firefighting infrastructure for the DNR's Northeast Region.