Notice of Intent to Award RFP 190000001338 - EMC Lease

The State of Michigan's Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) Central Procurement Services issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #190000001338 for a lease-to-purchase solution for EMC hardware and software equipment. The solicitation sought competitive proposals from qualified financial service providers to finance technology infrastructure through a 5-year lease arrangement. The RFP was posted on March 8, 2019, with proposals due by March 15, 2019, and six bidders submitted responses: Dell Financial Services, Banc of America Public Capital Corp, Fifth Third Commercial Funding, Hewlett Packard Financial Services, Key Government Finance, and TD Equipment Finance. A Joint Evaluation Committee conducted a comprehensive review of proposals, assessing responsiveness, ability to perform contract duties, and pricing submitted through monthly and annual payment structures. The evaluation criteria focused on the most competitive interest rates, total financed amount, and overall value to the state. The solicitation required vendors to provide detailed financing proposals for technology equipment, with specific attention to lease terms, interest rates, and total cost of financing.

The procurement did not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The recommended awardee, Dell Financial Services, LLC, was selected for offering the most competitive financing terms at a 1.15% interest rate, with a total proposed amount of $3,183,184.20 and a financeable amount of $3,083,658.48. The contract is structured as a 5-year lease with annual payment options, pending final approval from the State Administrative Board. Unsuccessful bidders were encouraged to schedule a debriefing with the Solicitation Manager, Lisa Spitzley, to understand the rationale behind their non-selection. The procurement process was conducted through the SIGMA VSS system, ensuring transparency and fair competition among financial service providers. While no specific incumbent vendor was mentioned, the RFP represented a strategic approach to financing technology infrastructure through a competitive leasing arrangement.