MSU EARC Linear Move Irrigation System

Montana State University's Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC) near Sidney is soliciting proposals for a linear-move sprinkler irrigation system through Request for Proposal (RFP) MSU-RFP-21-23. The procurement is specifically for one complete linear-move sprinkler irrigation system to be delivered by September 1, 2021, which will serve dual purposes of crop irrigation and irrigation research in the Mondak region encompassing ten Montana counties bordering North Dakota. Vendors must submit a current W-9, provide references demonstrating previous linear move irrigation system installations, and comply with university requirements. The proposal submissions were to be opened on March 9, 2021, at 2:00 PM MST, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference scheduled for March 17, 2021, at 9:30 am at the EARC facility, and final proposals due by April 8, 2021, at 2:00 PM MDT. Evaluation criteria include detailed company information, past implementation capabilities, and the ability to meet specific scope of work specifications, with potential scoring advantages given to contractors demonstrating wage transparency and non-discriminatory hiring practices.

The procurement will be conducted through the Montana Acquisition & Contracting System (eMACS), with payment terms set at 0% 0, Net 30. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the RFP indicates a preference for contractors with equitable employment practices. The system will be procured for research and agricultural purposes at the EARC, serving the broader agricultural research needs in the region. No incumbent vendors or specific budget ranges are detailed in the provided documentation. Vendors will be expected to provide a comprehensive solution that meets the technical specifications for a linear-move sprinkler irrigation system capable of supporting both agricultural production and research objectives in the specified geographic area.