Intent to award sole source- MG newell

The South Carolina Department of Corrections is issuing a sole source procurement for comprehensive maintenance and repair services for a specialized Homogenizing and Pasteurization HTST (High Temperature Short Time) System located at the Wateree Dairy Farm. The procurement encompasses all maintenance, repair, parts, software, programming, troubleshooting, upgrades, design, additions, expansions, and fabrication/welding services. All services and materials must comply with USDA Grade A Food Plant and DHEC regulations. The solicitation was released on June 21, 2022, with responses due by July 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Vendors are required to submit responses via email to purchasing@doc.sc.gov with "SOLE SOURCE" in the subject line or by mail to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Key qualifications include the ability to provide comprehensive equipment maintenance and meet strict food production standards. There are no scheduled pre-bid conferences or site visits for this procurement.

The Department intends to award the sole source contract to MG Newell Corporation, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, based on their status as the original manufacturer and designer of the HTST System with exclusive maintenance capabilities. A previous solicitation (5400015233) for repair and parts received only one response from MG Newell, which substantiates the lack of alternative vendors. Any responding vendor must be fully authorized to provide all required services to the department. Potential vendors should note that protests to the intended award must be submitted in writing to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Materials Management Office, with a notice of intent to protest required within five business days and the actual protest within fifteen days of the notice posting date. The contract is for an initial one-year period with options to renew for two additional one-year periods. While a specific contract value is not disclosed, the scope suggests a specialized, technical service contract focused on maintaining critical dairy farm equipment.