Random Statistical Sampling Assistance and Expertise

The Michigan Department of State issued Request for Proposal 190000003135 on September 6, 2019, seeking random statistical sampling assistance and expertise to support the Michigan Citizens Redistricting Commission. The procurement requires a qualified contractor to perform two primary deliverables: (1) conduct a random selection of at least 10,000 Michigan registered voters from the state's Qualified Voter File to receive mailed applications, with completion required by January 1, 2020, and (2) execute a statistically weighted selection process to identify 200 semi-finalists from the applicant pool that mirrors Michigan's geographic and demographic makeup based on zip code, year of birth, sex, race, and ethnicity, with this selection to occur between June 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. The contractor must develop comprehensive work plans and process maps for both selections beginning in fall 2019, continue mailings until minimum thresholds are achieved (at least 100 returned applicants with at least 30 from each major political party and 40 unaffiliated applicants), and ensure the final 200 semi-finalists include exactly 100 from the random mailing and 100 from self-initiated applicants. The proposal submission deadline was 11:00 a.m. EST on September 13, 2019, with questions due by 10:00 a.m. EST on September 10, 2019. Evaluation criteria consist of Product Quality (50 points), Service Capabilities (25 points), and completion of the Vendor Questions Worksheet (25 points), with a minimum threshold of 80 points required to proceed to pricing evaluation. The contract term runs from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, with an option for one additional one-year renewal at the State's discretion, and the contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and professional liability insurance of $3,000,000.

The RFP does not indicate any specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting response to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organizational types. A prior related RFP 190000002407 for Statistical Assistance for Independent Redistricting Commission received a No Award posting on September 6, 2019, and the current solicitation was redesigned based on vendor community feedback to have a more limited and specific scope and to be less cost prohibitive than the previous version. The State will provide all applicant data and maintain responsibility for correspondence with selected applicants, while the contractor bears responsibility for performing statistical sampling calculations and providing lists of selected applicants; all data remains the exclusive property of the State, and the contractor must comply with Michigan's Freedom of Information Act and maintain strict confidentiality. The RFP specifies that the State will not reimburse overtime, holiday pay, or travel expenses, invoices are payable within 45 days of receipt via Electronic Funds Transfer, and the State encourages quick payment discounts. Liquidated damages of $5,000 plus $100 per day apply for late or improper completion of contract activities. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in the available documentation.