Michigan Dept of Natural Resources-Great Lakes Patrol Boat

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued Request for Proposal No. 190000002819 on July 22, 2019, seeking the furnish and delivery of two 30-foot aluminum Great Lakes patrol boats with comprehensive equipment packages to be delivered to the DNR Plainwell Office by December 31, 2019. Each vessel must measure 29 feet 4 inches in length overall with a 10-foot beam, accommodate 22 persons with 6 seated positions, feature a dry weight of approximately 7,432 pounds, and include a welded aluminum hull with self-bailing decks and weather-tight cabin doors. The specification uses Safe Boat as the reference brand but permits alternative manufacturers to bid if they meet all detailed technical requirements, with proposals for non-Safe Boat vessels requiring submitted drawings. Required deliverables include dual Mercury 250 horsepower Verado outboard engines with joystick piloting and autopilot capability, Raymarine navigation systems with thermal imaging, Whelen lighting and communication systems, advanced safety equipment including USCG-approved life vests and EPIRB beacons, generators, shore power kits, diesel heaters, air conditioning units, and complete manuals in waterproof containers. The evaluation process is based on compliance with published specifications on a pass/fail basis, with pricing evaluation following for proposals meeting mandatory minimum requirements; the State reserved the right to conduct facility tours, require oral presentations, perform reference checks, and request additional price concessions. Proposals were due by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 9, 2019, with written questions accepted until Friday, August 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m., and the anticipated contract begin date was September 13, 2019.

The solicitation required all bidders to submit completed vendor questionnaires and certifications regarding qualified disabled veteran status, labor practices, Michigan business tax compliance, Iran Linked Business status, and clean corporate citizen environmental compliance, along with disclosure of any history of debarment, suspension, litigation, or contract defaults within the prior five years. Bidders must be authorized factory franchised dealers or manufacturers, with pricing required to be firm for the entire contract term with no price escalation provisions except for quote timing cost escalation. All specified options and equipment must be fully installed and operational at time of owner acceptance, and vendors must appoint a dedicated representative for State of Michigan accounts, respond to service requests within 24 hours, and provide training for startup and maintenance operations. The State will conduct acceptance testing through operational demonstration upon delivery, with seven calendar days allowed for final inspection and evaluation. While no specific incumbent vendor or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents, contracts exceeding $500,000 require approval by the State Administrative Board, suggesting the total contract value for two fully equipped patrol boat packages may fall within that range. The State reserved the right to award to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the best value based on compliance with specifications, pricing, qualified disabled veteran status, prior performance, economic impact to Michigan, and total-cost-of-ownership factors.