MDE OHNS Purchase of Farm to Family Activity Books

The Michigan Department of Education's Office of Health and Nutrition Services issued an Invitation to Negotiate on August 27, 2021, for the purchase of four distinct titles of Farm to Family activity books totaling 219,420 units. The solicitation seeks procurement of "We Like to Eat" bilingual (53,670 units), "We Like to Eat Fruits and Vegetables" (55,680 units), "We Like to Eat From Our Garden" (49,230 units), and "Farm to Family: High Five!" (60,840 units), with unit prices ranging from $1.24 to $1.82 per book plus $62,557 in shipping costs. These educational materials are designed to educate Michigan children and adults about agriculture and promote healthy eating behaviors, and will be distributed through Michigan sponsors participating in the Summer Food Service Program. The procurement requires vendors to demonstrate equivalent products or services if challenging the sole-source designation. Written questions must be submitted by August 30, 2021, with responses due by September 3, 2021. Award will be issued via Purchase Order with a total contract value of $375,339.85.

The solicitation is designated as a single-source procurement from the Michigan Fitness Foundation, which holds exclusive intellectual property rights to all four titles as the author and authorized licensor of these proprietary educational materials. No other vendor is permitted to produce or distribute equivalent versions of these materials, as they were developed by a specialized team of nutrition, physical activity, and instructional design experts. However, the solicitation remains open to any potential bidder who disputes the sole-source designation and can demonstrate equivalent alternative products or services. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, minority-owned businesses, or women-owned businesses are noted in the procurement documentation. The Michigan Fitness Foundation is identified as the incumbent and intended single source, and the total contract award value is $375,339.85 for the complete procurement.