DNR Notice of Intent to Award Two Grain Drills

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued a Request for Proposal (RFP #180000002258) for the procurement of two grain drills to be delivered to DNR game areas. The RFP was posted on SIGMA VSS on April 20, 2018, with a bid submission deadline of Friday, May 4, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. This was a one-time purchase procurement with no renewal options, requiring vendors to furnish and deliver equipment that met published specifications. The evaluation process was conducted by the Buyer and Project Managers (Donna Jones and Hunter Pulling), who compared all bid submittals against the established specifications. Three bids were received in response to the solicitation, indicating competitive market interest in the opportunity. Bidders not recommended for award were given the opportunity to schedule debriefing sessions with Solicitation Manager Patrick Avendt at avendtp@michigan.gov or (517) 284-5922 to understand the evaluation results and decision rationale.

Tilmann Hardware of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan was recommended for award as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at $26,825.00 per grain drill, with a total contract value of $53,650.00 for both units. The two competing bids received were from Weiss Farm Equipment of Frankenmuth, Michigan at $27,400.00 each, and Burnips Equipment Co. of Dorr, Michigan at $28,497.00 each. The award was pending State Administrative Board approval, if applicable, at the time of the Notice of Intent to Award posted on May 11, 2018. No specific set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendor information was documented in the award materials. The procurement documents do not indicate specific qualifications required beyond the ability to meet equipment specifications and deliver the grain drills to designated DNR game areas.