INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE-MILACRON

The South Carolina Department of Corrections is pursuing a sole source procurement for specialized technical services from Milacron Marketing Company, LLC, specifically targeting in-field technical assistance for a Cincinnati VT550-54 Plastic Injection Molding Machine located at Wateree River Farm. The procurement seeks comprehensive support including commissioning, maintenance, technical support, after-sales service, and parts/supplies for this specialized equipment. The initial contract term will run from June 5, 2023, through June 4, 2024, with four additional automatically renewable one-year terms, potentially extending the total contract duration to five years through June 4, 2028. Responses must be submitted by June 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch, located at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. The procurement is unique in that Milacron Marketing is the intended sole source recipient due to their specialized factory-trained technicians and authorization to service these specific plastic injection molding machines across the United States.

This procurement appears to be unrestricted in terms of set-aside designations, with no specific mention of small business, disadvantaged enterprise, or minority-owned business requirements. Milacron Marketing Company, LLC is identified as the sole authorized USA provider capable of delivering the required services and parts, primarily due to the proprietary nature of Cincinnati's software. No specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated in the documentation. Potential vendors or protestants who disagree with the intended sole source award must submit a notice of intent to protest within five business days of the notice posting date and the actual protest within fifteen days. Protests can be submitted in writing to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Materials Management Office, either by physical mail, facsimile at 803-737-0639, or via email at protest-mmo@mmo.state.sc.us. The procurement will be posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for five to ten business days as required by SC Code 11-35-1560.