Michigan DNR Research Vessel Design Consultant - Addendum 1

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is procuring marine/naval architect design consulting services (RFP No. 230000000168) for the design of an 80+ foot Great Lakes fisheries research vessel intended for the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station. The primary deliverables include full engineered construction drawings and specifications completed within eight months of contract award, conceptual design presentations, detailed electrical and hydraulic specifications, estimated build costs with material alternatives, and as-built drawings incorporating construction changes. The vessel must accommodate a crew of approximately six members with provisions for a wet laboratory for specimen collection and analysis, refrigeration capabilities, galley and head facilities, twin diesel engines meeting Tier III or IV standards, hydraulic systems with redundant pumps, fisheries gear including trawl winches and a Simrad EK80 hydroacoustic system, and comprehensive safety and navigation equipment. The successful consultant must demonstrate experience designing at least two Great Lakes commercial or research vessels exceeding 60 feet in length and must employ a principal marine/naval architect with a degree from an accredited four-year watercraft design program, preferably as a direct employee. Additional responsibilities include providing supervision, inspection, and guidance services during the vessel's construction, estimated at 750 hours over a two-year period, along with weekly consultation calls and monthly on-site visits. Evaluation criteria totaling 100 points comprise vendor experience questions (25 points), statement of work sections (45 points), project plan (10 points), and service level agreements (10 points), with proposals receiving 85 or more technical points advancing to pricing evaluation on a best-value basis. The proposal deadline is 3:00 p.m. Eastern on December 14, 2022, with the anticipated contract commencement date of January 17, 2023; bidders had until 12:00 p.m. Eastern on November 14, 2022, to submit written questions, with answers posted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on November 30, 2022.

The solicitation does not identify specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, though the State will consider qualified disabled veteran-owned business status as part of its best-value evaluation methodology. No incumbent contractors or current vendors are identified in the procurement documents. The consultant must maintain Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions insurance coverage of $3,000,000, Commercial General Liability coverage of $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident, and Workers' Compensation coverage as required by Michigan law. Pricing must be structured as a firm lump sum for design and working drawings with an hourly rate for supervision, inspection, and guidance services, with all travel expenses for on-site inspections reimbursed at Michigan state-approved rates as detailed in the October 1, 2022, travel rate schedule. The RFP does not disclose a specific contract value or budget range; however, State Administrative Board approval is required if the award equals or exceeds $250,000, suggesting the anticipated contract value may fall within this threshold. Bidders must submit all proposals electronically through the Michigan Procurement System (SIGMA VSS) in modifiable formats and should monitor www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for any RFP updates or amendments. The solicitation manager is Kip Conley, reachable at (517) 388-5956 or conleyk1@michigan.gov.