The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Southwest Region has issued Request for Proposal No. 230000002771 for landscaping services at the Five Points Roundabout located in Mason Township, Cass County, Michigan. This solicitation seeks a single contractor to provide comprehensive landscaping installation services including removal of existing landscaping, soil excavation (193 cubic yards minimum), installation of landscape fabric (1,050 square yards of 5-ounce, needle-punched, UV-stabilized nonwoven polypropylene), placement of decorative stone at 6-inch depth (188 cubic yards of either Meramec Rock or River Rock), and planting of seven Syringa Reticulata "Ivory Silk" 2-inch diameter trees spaced 15 feet on-center with 4-inch mulch rings. Contract work must commence within six consecutive days of the Notice to Proceed and be completed by September 29, 2023, with all activities performed during daylight hours and no work permitted during the Labor Day holiday period (September 1-5, 2023). The contractor must maintain access to all five roundabout approaches, restrict full lane closures to no more than 5 minutes during low-traffic periods between 9 AM and 2 PM, and implement comprehensive traffic control measures including channelizing devices, Type III barriers, and appropriate signage. Evaluation will be conducted on a PASS/FAIL basis with award to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest price who meets all five mandatory criteria: submission of a completed Confidential Treatment Form, completion of the Vendor Questions Worksheet, completion of Schedule A (Statement of Work), completion of Schedule B (Pricing submitted as a lump sum), and agreement with Standard Contract Terms. Written questions must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, August 3, 2023, with answers posted by Friday, August 4, 2023, and proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday, August 11, 2023, to be submitted electronically through the Michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS system in modifiable native formats with individual documents limited to 6 MB. The anticipated contract begin date is Monday, August 21, 2023, with the Solicitation Manager ReChelle I. Kendrick available at 517-335-5905 or KendrickR1@michigan.gov.
The RFP documentation does not specify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged business enterprise requirements, or restrictions limiting participation to particular organizational types; this appears to be open competition for all qualified vendors. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. Contractors are required to comply with Michigan's electronic vendor registration system (Sigma Vendor Self Service Portal) as mandated by MCL 18.1283, designate a Contractor Representative specifically assigned to State of Michigan accounts, and disclose all proposed subcontractors with their legal business names, addresses, and work scopes. Personnel must comply with high-visibility safety apparel requirements per the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and all local noise, dust, and work-hour ordinances apply. Pricing must be firm for the entire contract term, with invoices required within 45 days of contract expiration or they will not be paid, and liquidated damages of $1,000 plus an additional $100 per day apply for late or improper completion. The specific contract value or budget range is not disclosed in the available solicitation documents, though the lump sum pricing structure suggests the contract value will be determined by the lowest qualified bidder's proposal submission.