Mattress padding

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market data on mattress padding specifications and manufacturing practices in support of an upcoming Request for Proposal. The procurement seeks detailed vendor information regarding cotton felt fire-retardant padding measuring 40" x 80" with a weight of 5 lbs per batt, specifically with fiber content of 87% picker motes and 13% willowed gin motes, along with fire-retardant additives comprising 11% boric acid and 2% naphthenic oil. Vendors must submit responses including one square yard samples, detailed specification sheets, and Certificates of Analysis to Cathy Carr at the Michigan Department of Corrections in Lansing. The RFI timeline establishes a question submission deadline of April 23, 2019, with answers posted by April 24, 2019, and a response submission deadline of May 1, 2019, with potential follow-up discussions occurring by May 8, 2019. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative specifications with detailed justifications and to address specific technical questions regarding product composition, fire-retardant testing standards including potential 16 CFR 1633 compliance, institutional experience, and likelihood of bidding on the subsequent RFP. The state reserves the right to invite selected vendors for oral presentations and to determine which products, if any, will be incorporated into the final RFP document, with no pricing information requested at this RFI phase.

The RFI document does not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, incumbent vendors, or current contractors. No award values or budget ranges are disclosed in this information-gathering phase. All submitted responses become the property of the state and are subject to disclosure under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The RFI does not constitute a binding contract offer, and the state assumes no liability for vendor response preparation costs. Vendors interested in supplying mattress padding to the MDOC's Michigan State Industries division, which manufactures mattresses for use in correctional facilities and external customers, should note that this RFI is preliminary to the development of a formal RFP and serves to inform specifications for future procurement actions.