OAC aquarium maintenance contract

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive aquarium maintenance services for the Outdoor Adventure Center located in Detroit, Wayne County. The procurement is a Request for Proposal (RFP) numbered 250000002778 for cleaning and maintaining a 1,200-gallon freshwater aquarium housing bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, and longnose gar. Required services include 40 weekly and 12 monthly visits annually, with comprehensive maintenance tasks such as glass panel cleaning, water quality testing, equipment inspection, and fish health monitoring. Vendors must provide all necessary personnel, equipment, chemicals, and supplies, with an emergency response requirement of 24 hours. The evaluation process is structured as a pass/fail assessment based on vendor qualifications and technical response, with pricing reviewed only for qualifying proposals. Key dates include an optional pre-bid meeting on August 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST, questions due by August 5, 2025, and proposals due August 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST. The anticipated contract start date is August 15, 2025, with a three-year base term and potential two one-year renewals for a total possible five-year contract duration.

The RFP documents do not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders are required to submit a current certificate of liability insurance, a list of experience with public or high-traffic aquarium installations, and references from similar-sized or commercial accounts. Vendors must demonstrate compliance with State of Michigan safety and environmental guidelines. While no specific contract value is mentioned, the scope suggests a recurring service contract with annual maintenance requirements. Payment terms include electronic funds transfer within 45 days of invoice receipt, with liquidated damages of $500 plus $100 per day for late or improper completion. Proposals must be submitted through the SIGMA VSS procurement system, and bidders are expected to provide comprehensive documentation demonstrating their capability to maintain a professional-grade aquarium in a public-facing facility. The contract will be performed between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily, with firm pricing required for the entire contract length.