RFP for GHG Acct and Regen Science-Based Incentives Project

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 250000002067) for the Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Regenerative Science-Based Incentives Project, a comprehensive procurement to establish market infrastructure supporting regenerative agriculture in Michigan. The solicitation period runs from April 7, 2025 through April 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, with bidder questions due by April 11, 2025 and an anticipated contract commencement date of May 12, 2025. The contractor must deliver seven primary deliverables within 18 months of contract execution: a Comprehensive Buyer Analysis Report, a Regenerative Agriculture Supply Shed and Commodity Buyer Database in Excel format, Key Commodity GHG Baselines and Regenerative Agriculture Outcomes in spreadsheet format, Regenerative Agriculture Commodity Sale and Production Data in spreadsheet format, a Corporate Co-investment Report, a Corporate Procurement and GHG Reporting and Ecosystem Services Framework, and a State Implementation Toolkit. The project's key objectives are to increase market opportunities for regeneratively-grown commodities and develop metrics to track ecosystem service benefits. The contractor must designate a contractor representative and key personnel, submit a detailed project plan with quarterly milestones within 30 days of contract execution, and participate in monthly meetings with the state program manager. Evaluation of proposals will be based on submissions using only RFP-required forms; proposals submitted in offeror templates will not be considered. Pricing must be firm for the entire contract term and include all costs associated with project activities, with adjustments permitted only through a documented 30-day mutual evaluation process based on changes in actual contractor costs.

The RFP does not identify any specific set-asides, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, incumbent vendors, or current contractors in the available documentation. No particular technology integration requirements or existing infrastructure dependencies are specified. Service level agreements require 100% compliance with timely deliveries, with financial penalties of $100 for each of the first five non-compliance occurrences and $500 for each subsequent occurrence within a calendar year, plus liquidated damages of $5,000 plus $100 per day for late or improper completion of contract activities. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability and $1,000,000 in automobile liability, with proof of insurance required within 10 days of contract execution. Payments will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer within 45 days of invoice receipt for undisputed amounts. While no specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the RFP materials, the procurement is subject to State Administrative Board approval as the contract is anticipated to exceed $250,000 in value.