MPA 125 Road Salt

The State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Master Price Agreement (MPA) to procure rock and solar salt for road use, specifically distributing sodium chloride. The solicitation, identified by number RFPM21000679, is open to vendors to provide road salt for statewide use, with an initial contract period of three years beginning approximately October 1, 2021, and the option to renew for up to four additional 12-month periods. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Ocean State Procures system by July 9, 2021, at 10:00 AM EDT, with a vendor Q&A period running from June 24 to June 28, 2021. The evaluation criteria will include both technical and cost components, with the lowest cost proposal receiving the full available points and other proposals scored proportionally. Vendors must provide detailed technical proposals demonstrating their qualifications and experience, along with separate cost proposals that include firm and fixed pricing for the road salt.

The solicitation is open to all vendors, with political subdivisions including municipalities, higher education institutions, municipal/state schools, and quasi-public agencies authorized to participate in the agreement. The state has established a minimum 10% participation requirement for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), with participation credit only granted for firms certified by Rhode Island's Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity. Vendors must register in the Ocean State Procures system and comply with specific insurance requirements, including $1 million in liability coverage, workers compensation, and automobile liability. A 1% contract administrative fee will be assessed on all purchase orders issued under the MPA, effective January 1, 2020, to support the state's eProcurement system. While no specific contract value is listed, the MPA is designed to provide a flexible procurement mechanism for road salt across multiple jurisdictions, with the state reserving the right to award to one or more vendors based on the best overall value.