DNR North Country Trail-Fiberglass Reinf'd Polymer Boardwalk

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued Request for Proposal #200000002227 on August 26, 2020, for the design, build, and delivery of one pre-engineered, elevated fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) boardwalk for the North Country Trail located in Arenac County. The boardwalk must be delivered as an unassembled kit with detailed assembly instructions, designed for a 44-foot clear span and 4-foot interior width, with handrails ranging from 42 to 47 inches in height. The structure must accommodate an 85 psf live load, 120 psf snow load, and 25 psf wind load, include safety mid-rails per ADA specifications, and incorporate A307 hot-dipped galvanized steel hardware in standard color (Olive green acceptable). All components must be lightweight, maintenance-free, and person-portable due to the inaccessible location in Champion, Michigan, with successful bidders required to submit professional engineer-stamped drawings from a Michigan-licensed engineer within twelve weeks of purchase order issuance. The project addresses the replacement of two deteriorated timber bridges that have exceeded their service life and closed a 1.5-mile segment of the North Country Trail between Ottawa National Forest's McCormick Tract Wilderness Area and Craig Lake State Park. Evaluation was based solely on price weighted at 100 percent, with the State reserving the right to conduct on-site facility visits, require oral presentations, or request additional price concessions. The original bid due date of August 26, 2020, was extended via Addendum No. 1 to Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the anticipated contract begin date of September 2, 2020, and proposals submitted electronically through www.michigan.gov/sigmavss.

The RFP included qualified service-disabled veteran preference consideration as an evaluation factor, though no specific set-aside percentages or restrictions on business type were designated in the available documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation materials, and no pre-proposal meetings or bidders conferences were planned. The DNR would provide the decking, specified as 3-inch by 12-inch southern yellow pine, and timber crib abutments to be constructed by DNR staff in accordance with United States Forest Service design guidelines. Bidders were required to accept the State's Standard Contract Terms, which establish F.O.B. destination shipping with vendor responsibility for all packaging and freight costs, 30-day inspection periods, and 45-day payment terms for undisputed invoices. The solicitation documents do not specify an anticipated contract value or budget range for this procurement, though contracts exceeding $500,000 would require approval from the State Administrative Board.