Notice of Intent to Award ITN #210000000021

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Purchasing office issued Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) #210000000021 on February 19, 2021, for the procurement of an Altec Ariel Tower. The ITN was posted on the SIGMA VSS platform with a 10-calendar-day posting period and a proposal submission deadline of March 1, 2021. MDOT determined that the specific requirements and capabilities associated with this equipment could be provided by only one contractor, resulting in a sole-source procurement. The procurement sought to acquire specialized equipment without competitive bidding due to the unique nature of the Altec Ariel Tower and its technical specifications. Despite the published solicitation period, no bidders submitted proposals by the established due date of March 1, 2021. MDOT's Purchasing office recommended proceeding with an award recommendation to Altec Industries, Inc., contingent upon State Administrative Board approval if required. The state indicated its intention to enter into negotiations with the recommended contractor to establish contract terms and conditions.

This procurement appears to operate without specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent qualifications as indicated in the available documentation. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing infrastructure integration requirements were identified in the notice materials. The award recommendation to Altec Industries, Inc. reflects the sole-source nature of the procurement based on the equipment's specialized capabilities and MDOT's determination that only this contractor could meet the agency's requirements. The contract value or budget range for this procurement was not disclosed in the award notice. Interested parties with questions regarding ITN #210000000021 should contact Laura Dotson, Solicitation Manager, at DotsonL2@michigan.gov or (517) 335-5840.