Snow Blower, Heavy Duty, Wheel Loader Attachment

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Office of Operations Administrative Services, Fleet Division, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 210000002261) for a one-time purchase of one heavy-duty snow blower with wheel loader attachment and associated training. The procuring jurisdiction is Huron County, Michigan. The equipment being procured is a two-stage rotary snow blower unit designed to attach to a 2021 Caterpillar 950M wheel loader via a Fusion Quick Coupler series bolt-on hitch, with specifications modeled after the Wausau SNOGO Model MP Rotary Snow Blower. The snow blower must feature a 114-inch cutting width, three 14-inch diameter serrated augers operating at 450 RPM, a 38-inch diameter second-stage impeller with six replaceable T-1 steel blades, and a Tier IV-compliant Cummins diesel engine rated at 300 HP with 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The unit must be capable of operating at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, with an operating capacity of 1,800 to 2,000 tons per hour and a snow casting distance of up to 150 feet, weighing a complete 9,800 pounds. Deliverables include factory installation on the designated MDOT loader (equipment number 38-0365), one-time spare parts provision consisting of complete sets of filters, and a minimum of 8 hours of operator and mechanic training for 6-8 MDOT employees at an MDOT facility. The RFP was issued on July 2, 2021, with a bidder question deadline of July 8, 2021, answers posted by July 12, 2021, and a proposal deadline of July 16, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Equipment must be delivered within 120 days after receipt of order to MDOT Houghton Garage in Calumet, Michigan, with an anticipated contract begin date of July 23, 2021. Evaluation utilizes a two-step approach: Step 1 involves pass/fail determinations on completeness of required forms and acceptance of contract terms; Step 2 awards points based on warranty terms (10 points), training (25 points), general experience with verifiable references (25 points), and equipment specifications compliance with descriptive literature (40 points), with proposals requiring 80 or more points advancing to pricing evaluation based on low bid total extended cost.

The RFP restricts bidding to certified authorized distributors or manufacturers only, with manufacturers providing written verification if bidding as a distributor. No set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are indicated in the procurement documents. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified. Pricing must be submitted as firm and fixed for the entire contract length on Schedule B, presented on an F.O.B. Destination basis with all transportation charges prepaid and invoicing due within 45 days of receipt. Payment will be made through Electronic Funds Transfer only. Liquidated damages of 2/10th of 1% per day apply for up to 30 days if delivery is late. The contract documents do not indicate a specific budget or award value range; however, the one-time purchase nature and specialized equipment requirements suggest a substantial procurement. No federal funding is indicated as applicable for this procurement. A pre-delivery inspection may be scheduled at the contractor's facility, with the State covering travel and subsistence costs for up to two MDOT personnel from Lansing.