RFI sole source coast machinery

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is pursuing a sole source procurement for a Marsh Master MM-2MX-KC specialized equipment from Coast Machinery LLC. The procurement involves acquiring a specific marsh management vehicle with a KOHLER ENGINE, along with several critical attachments including a cutter, roller chopper, spray rig, and modifications to accommodate an existing ditching attachment. This equipment is essential for habitat management on waterfowl management areas, enabling access to environmentally sensitive terrain and creating food sources for wintering waterfowl populations. The procurement was officially issued on November 4, 2025, by Procurement Officer Valerie G. Duncan, with a contract term spanning from November 17, 2025, through November 16, 2026. The solicitation will be posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for five to ten business days, with the vendor expected to provide an introduction and walk-through of the machine upon delivery. Protests must be submitted in writing to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Materials Management Office within five business days of posting notice of intent to protest, with formal protests due within fifteen days.

The sole source procurement is specifically justified under S.C. Code Ann. 11-35-1560 and S.C. Regulation 19-445-2105, with the Department of Natural Resources determining that no alternative equipment can meet their precise operational requirements. Extensive market research was conducted, including internet searches, interviews with local habitat managers, discussions with manufacturers, and testing of alternative equipment types. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations were mentioned, the procurement is limited to Coast Machinery LLC as the sole source vendor. The agency's market research concluded that no other equipment can withstand the harsh environmental conditions, access the required work areas, or integrate with the existing ditching attachment. Although a specific award value was not disclosed, the procurement represents a targeted acquisition for a specialized piece of environmental management equipment critical to the department's habitat conservation efforts.