LPG Prover Trailer Unit

The State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Request for Proposal No. 180000000620 on January 9, 2018, to procure one new LPG prover trailer unit for delivery to Grand Traverse County. The deliverable consists of a single 25-gallon and 100-gallon prover unit trailer, white in color, mounted on a 5' x 10' tandem axle trailer with a 7,000 GVWR rating, built to NIST 105-4 Standards and ASME Section VIII, Division 1 specifications rated for 250 PSI, and equipped with components including a Corken CORO-FLO Turbine Pump, 2 HP motor, hose reels, piping assemblies, and tool chest. The contract activities must be completed within 30 business days from receipt of order, with physical delivery required within 45 calendar days to 940 Venture Lane, Williamston, Michigan. Bidders were required to submit questions by January 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with anticipated responses posted on January 12, 2018, and proposals due January 17, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated contract begin date of January 22, 2018. The State evaluated proposals using a 100-point technical scoring system comprising Product Quality (50 points), Delivery Capabilities (25 points), and Vendor Questions Worksheet responses (25 points), with a minimum threshold of 80 technical points required for pricing evaluation. Proposals must include itemized costs for the trailer with associated storage and prover tanks, separate line items for transportation charges and miscellaneous expenses, toll-free customer service and technical support availability, delivery programs and transportation methods, subcontractor disclosures, energy-efficient or environmentally friendly product identification, and Material Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals.

The RFP included evaluation criteria for qualified disabled veteran (QDV) status under MCL 18.1261(8), and bidders were required to certify compliance with Michigan business tax requirements, Iran sanctions laws, environmental standards, and State tax obligations. No specific set-asides or incumbent contractor information was identified in the solicitation documents, and no budget range or award value was disclosed. Vendors must submit proposals electronically through the SIGMA VSS system or via email in modifiable formats and comply with standard Michigan contract terms including F.O.B. destination shipping with all freight costs borne by the vendor, final inspection and acceptance within 30 calendar days of delivery, payment of undisputed amounts within 45 calendar days of invoice receipt, and comprehensive warranties covering conformity to specifications, freedom from defects, and fitness for intended use. The State reserves the right to conduct on-site facility visits, require oral presentations, conduct interviews and reference checks, and request additional price concessions during evaluation, and will consider overall economic impact, total cost of ownership, and prior performance in making its award decision. Contracts exceeding $500,000 require State Administrative Board approval.