Election Ballot Drop Boxes

The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of absent voter ballot drop boxes to be used across various jurisdictions in Michigan, including Ingham County and the City of Lansing. The RFP seeks bids from vendors to provide a catalogue of available drop box styles, quantities, and pricing. The MDOS is aiming to procure between 600 and 2,000 drop boxes, with deliveries required in three phases by mid-June 2023, August 24, 2023, and December 14, 2023. Vendors must provide detailed pricing information for the base drop boxes as well as any optional accessories or peripheral equipment. The RFP outlines specific product specifications, delivery and installation requirements, and evaluation criteria, which will focus on factors such as product quality, delivery capabilities, service capabilities, shipping and delivery, and vendor qualifications.

The RFP does not guarantee a minimum dollar amount or number of drop boxes to be purchased. Instead, the MDOS will select multiple vendors to be part of the program, and local jurisdictions will place orders based on their needs directly from the awarded vendors. The State of Michigan will not make advance deposits, and all orders will be placed by the MDOS through Delivery Orders. The RFP does not mention any set-aside designations, restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, or the presence of any incumbent vendors or current contractors.