Notice of Intent to Award-DNR Interlochen SP Picnic Shelter

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Enterprise Procurement issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #190000001343 for a one-time purchase and installation of a timber picnic shelter at Interlochen State Park. The procurement sought a vendor to design, manufacture, and install a complete picnic shelter structure, with bids solicited through the SIGMA VSS platform. The RFP was initially posted on March 12, 2019, with bid responses due on March 20, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. The evaluation process involved a comprehensive review conducted by the Buyer and Project Manager, with Chris Stark serving as the primary Project Manager on the evaluation committee. Key objectives included selecting a responsive and responsible bidder who could meet all mandatory requirements for the picnic shelter project. The evaluation criteria focused on price competitiveness and the ability to fully comply with the project specifications.

The contract was ultimately awarded to American Athletix of Muskegon, Michigan, as the sole responsive bidder, with a total contract value of $30,550.00. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder types were mentioned in the available documentation. The award was pending State Administrative Board approval, and unsuccessful bidders were offered the opportunity to schedule debriefing sessions with Solicitation Manager Patrick Avendt to understand the rationale behind the award decision. While the procurement was limited to a single vendor, the state maintained transparency by providing potential for post-award discussions. The project represented a targeted infrastructure improvement for Interlochen State Park, focusing on enhancing visitor amenities through the installation of a new picnic shelter. The procurement process emphasized competitive pricing and technical compliance as the primary evaluation metrics for vendor selection.