shoe outsole blocker MDOC-MSI

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) Michigan State Industries (MSI) division issued a Request for Information (RFI) on April 17, 2019, for shoe outsole blockers intended for correctional facility footwear across Grand Traverse County and multiple Lansing City jurisdictions. The RFI seeks market information on outsole blocker types, testing methodologies, and industry best practices to inform the state's future procurement strategy and potential Request for Proposal development. Vendors must submit outsole blocker samples available in sizes 7 through 17, manufactured from CPM-142 ST RUVA material in black oil-resistant composition using Mold SMP-06, along with specification sheets and Certificates of Analysis. The required performance specifications include NBS abrasion resistance of 90-100%, specific gravity of 31 +/- 2.03g/cm³, hardness of 66 on the C scale, tensile strength of 35+/- KG/CM, elongation of 230, tear strength of 15+ KG/CM, and Ross Flex testing at -20°C with zero cut growth at 7,500 flexes. The submission deadline is May 1, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, with a vendor question submission deadline of April 23, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative specifications with detailed justifications and may be invited for oral presentations at the state's discretion. Submissions should be directed to Cathy Carr at the Grandview Plaza Building in Lansing, Michigan.

This RFI contains no set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational type participation, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The RFI explicitly states that it is an informational gathering document rather than a binding procurement, and vendors are not required to participate in any subsequent formal solicitation process. No pricing information is requested, as the RFI is designed solely for market research purposes, and the state will not reimburse vendors for response preparation costs. All submitted response information becomes the property of the State of Michigan and is subject to disclosure under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The state reserves the right to incorporate selected specifications and products into a future RFP at its sole discretion, though no award values, budget ranges, or contract amounts are provided in this informational solicitation. Vendors with prior experience supplying outsole blockers to institutional and correctional facilities are specifically encouraged to provide customer references and details of previous sales.