Notice of intent to award: DNR cedar sign posts

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued Request for Proposal #190000000697 for the furnishing and delivery of cedar sign posts to support the DNR ORV trail system. The solicitation was posted on the SIGMA VSS platform on January 16, 2019, with an initial proposal due date of January 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.; however, due to insufficient bidder response, the deadline was extended to February 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. The procurement sought qualified vendors capable of supplying cedar posts for trail signage, with evaluation criteria focusing on vendor compliance with solicitation specifications and mandatory requirements, with the award recommendation directed to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The contract was structured as a three-year base term agreement. Two bids were received during the solicitation period, with Norman L. Kowalski Forest Products of Rogers City, Michigan selected as the recommended awardee at a unit price of $3.60 per cedar post with no volume discount, while the competing bid from KJP Sales, Inc. of Midland, Michigan was priced at $4.50 per post with a conditional 3% discount for payment within 10 days.

The solicitation documents do not specify set-aside designations, participation restrictions, or disadvantaged enterprise requirements applicable to this procurement. No incumbent vendor information or existing infrastructure integration requirements were identified in the award documentation. The contract award, anticipated at a total value of $108,000.00 over the three-year base term, is pending State Administrative Board approval, if applicable. Solicitation Manager Patrick Avendt is available to conduct debriefing sessions with non-awarded bidders upon request, providing an opportunity for competing vendors to understand the evaluation results and selection rationale.