Michigan Youth Challenge Cadet Boots

The State of Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs issued a Request for Proposal (RFP No. 180000000607) on January 5, 2018, for the procurement of duty boots to supply the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy in Battle Creek. The solicitation seeks approximately 312 pairs of Rocky Fort Hood Waterproof Duty Boots (Item #FQ0002049) in black, available in sizes 4 through 13 with half-size increments and in Medium, Wide, and Extra Wide widths, to be delivered annually over a three-year contract term with two optional one-year extensions. The contractor must establish expedited shipping capabilities, appoint a dedicated Account Representative to the State account, provide toll-free ordering via telephone, email, or fax, and guarantee delivery within two weeks of order receipt with boots arriving in perfect condition free of physical defects. Invoicing must include specific details and be submitted to the designated program manager, with payment via Electronic Funds Transfer on an FOB destination basis incorporating all shipping costs. The proposal deadline was January 12, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with written vendor questions due by January 9, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern and answers provided by January 10, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Proposals were required to be submitted electronically through the SIGMA VSS system and simultaneously emailed to solicitation manager Dana Worrall (517-481-7649 or WorrallD@michigan.gov), with the anticipated contract start date of January 17, 2018. Evaluation criteria weighted proposals at 25 percent for product specifications, 50 percent for pricing, and 25 percent for delivery capabilities.

The State reserves consideration of qualified disabled veteran (QDV) status under Michigan law, prior performance history, overall economic impact to Michigan, and total-cost-of-ownership in the award decision. Bidders must certify compliance with non-abusive labor practices, Iran-linked business restrictions, environmental compliance standards, and state tax obligations, and must not be debarred or suspended as verified through the System for Award Management. The contract is subject to federal provisions including nondiscrimination, prevailing wage compliance under the Davis-Bacon Act, Copeland Anti-Kickback Act prohibitions, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act compliance, and Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment certification requirements where applicable based on contract value and funding source. All proposals are binding for 180 calendar days from submission, and the State retains the right to conduct facility tours, request oral presentations, perform reference checks, and request additional price concessions during evaluation. Contracts exceeding $500,000 require State Administrative Board approval. No specific budget range or award value is stated in the documentation; pricing is to be submitted on a firm fixed basis for the entire contract term using the provided Schedule B pricing matrix.