Fundamental Research and Ratings Services

The State of Michigan's Department of Treasury is seeking Fundamental Research and Credit Ratings Services through an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) with a focus on securing a one-year contract for credit research services. The primary intended source is CreditSights, a New York-based firm, though the state is required to formally identify potential alternative providers through this solicitation. The procurement is identified by commodity code 946-36 and seeks comprehensive credit research and ratings capabilities. Interested vendors must submit questions through www.michigan.gov.com/SIGMAVSS by October 25, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. EST, with final responses due by October 30, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. EST to Solicitation Manager Julie Collins. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, the state appears to be conducting a targeted procurement with CreditSights as the preferred vendor. The ITN suggests that the state views CreditSights as uniquely qualified to provide the required fundamental research and ratings services, though the formal process allows for potential alternative proposals.

The solicitation documents do not specify any set-aside designations, minority enterprise preferences, or explicit restrictions on respondent types. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that would require integration. The procurement appears to be a straightforward professional services contract, with standard State of Michigan terms and conditions that include 45-day payment terms via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), vendor responsibility for all associated costs including taxes and shipping, and standard warranty and performance provisions. While no specific budget range or award value is disclosed, the one-year contract duration suggests a focused, potentially high-value engagement for specialized financial research services. Vendors must be prepared to accept the state's standard contractual terms, which become binding through written acceptance, commencement of work, receipt of payment, or proposal submission. The State of Michigan reserves standard contractual rights, including the ability to withhold payments for non-conforming deliverables and maintain tax exemptions for direct purchases.