MDE OHNS Purchase of Farm to Family Activity Books

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Health and Nutrition Services issued an Invitation to Negotiate on August 26, 2021, to procure educational activity books for the state's Summer Food Service Program Farm to Summer Week initiative. The procurement seeks four titles of bilingual and English-language activity books designed to promote healthy eating behaviors among Michigan children and adults: "We Like to Eat" (53,670 copies), "We Like to Eat Fruits and Vegetables" (55,680 copies), "We Like to Eat From Our Garden" (49,230 copies), and "Farm to Family: High Five!" (60,840 copies). These books, which were developed by nutrition, physical activity, and instructional design content experts, will be distributed directly by the vendor to Michigan Summer Food Service Program sponsors. The procurement also includes shipping services for delivery to multiple program sponsors across the state. The question submission deadline was August 29, 2021, and vendors wishing to challenge the sole-source designation were required to submit alternative proposals by September 2, 2021. Award will be made by Purchase Order to the selected vendor.

The Michigan Fitness Foundation has been designated as the sole intended source for this procurement due to its exclusive ownership of intellectual property rights to all four book titles and its status as the only organization licensed or permitted to produce and distribute these materials. No set-asides or restrictions on vendor eligibility were noted in the solicitation. The total contract value is $375,340, comprising $311,783 for the activity books themselves, with unit prices ranging from $1.24 to $1.82 per book depending on title, and $62,557 for shipping and delivery costs. All inquiries and responses should be directed to Carol Munroe, the solicitation manager at the Michigan Department of Education, via email at munroec@michigan.gov.