DNR - MOD - Sportsmen Against Hunger

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking an eligible nonprofit organization to manage the collection and disbursement of wild game—specifically processed venison from whitetail deer and occasionally elk—to Michigan charitable organizations and food banks. The contractor will establish mechanisms for hunter donations to Michigan Department of Agriculture-inspected meat processors, manage a statewide processor network, coordinate venison processing into one-pound ground portions, arrange x-ray testing for metal contaminants, and distribute all processed venison at no cost through Feeding America Michigan's seven distribution centers. Required qualifications include at least five years of experience providing wild game or food to nonprofit food banks. Key responsibilities also encompass attending at least five annual outreach events, conducting annual processor site visits, providing required training materials, and developing a detailed communications strategy. The RFP evaluation will assess proposals on technical merit, with proposals required to score at least 80 points to have pricing evaluated; the State reserves the right to consider overall economic impact, prior performance, and total cost of ownership in award decisions. Critical deadlines include a pre-proposal meeting on September 25, 2024, a bidder question deadline of October 1, 2024, and a proposal submission deadline of October 9, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, with an anticipated contract start date of November 19, 2024.

This procurement contains no identified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it is restricted to eligible nonprofit organizations meeting the specified experience requirements. No incumbent contractor information has been provided in the solicitation documents. The contract is structured as a completely cost-reimbursable arrangement with a total contract value of $900,000 and an estimated annual processing and reimbursement budget of $300,000, though historical fiscal year budgets have ranged from $213,000 in FY 2021 to $250,000 in FY 2024 and FY 2025, with funding derived primarily from customer donations during DNR license purchases and supplemented by occasional one-time DNR funding. The contractor will be reimbursed for exact documented processor payment amounts based on agreed-upon per-pound rates or flat fees per deer, as well as pre-approved annual administrative expenses including printing, mailing, staff time, and transportation. The DNR will cover costs for x-ray testing, disease testing and shipping, and initial retail food establishment licensing, with pricing firm for 365-day periods and adjustments permitted based on documented cost changes. The contract term allows for up to five one-year renewal periods at the State's discretion.