Synopsis for ITN 180000000052 - Hunter Ed 5-gun Training Set

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Enterprise Procurement office issued Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) 180000000052 for Hunter Education Firearms Training Kits, specifically a 5-gun training set. The ITN was posted on the SIGMA VSS platform on April 2, 2018, with proposals due by April 6, 2018, representing a seven-day solicitation period. The State sought to procure Hunter Education firearms training equipment designed for educational purposes. Prospective bidders were required to meet both responsive and responsible vendor requirements as established in the ITN documentation. The evaluation process assessed proposals based on vendors' ability to meet these established criteria and demonstrate capability to provide the required training kits. The Solicitation Manager, Dorene Sandoval (Buyer/DNR FOS Division), may be contacted at sandovald@michigan.gov or (517) 284-5926 for inquiries regarding this procurement opportunity. The original due date for proposals was April 6, 2018, with the award letter issued on May 10, 2018.

The procurement initially appeared to be a sole-source acquisition, with the State believing O.F. Mossberg & Sons Inc. was the only contractor capable of providing the required equipment. However, an alternative bidder, Kiesler Police Supply of Jeffersonville, Indiana, submitted a responsive and responsible proposal by the deadline, resulting in the State's determination to pursue competitive bidding rather than a sole-source award. The available documentation does not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or particular organizational qualifications beyond the responsive and responsible vendor standards. No pricing information, contract value, budget range, or contract term details are provided in the award letter. The solicitation materials indicate that the procurement would proceed through a separate competitive bidding process following the discovery of viable alternative sources.