Twelve Year Under Bridge Inspection Unit Inspection/rebuild

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) issued RFP No. 200000002067 on July 8, 2020, seeking a qualified contractor to perform a comprehensive 12-year inspection and rebuild of MDOT Truck 04-1707, a 2009 Aspen Aerial model A62 under bridge inspection unit. The procurement required the contractor to deliver inspection and rebuild services, provide training to MDOT personnel, and arrange transportation of the equipment, with a contract term of 14 months commencing September 1, 2020, and concluding December 31, 2021. Evaluation criteria were weighted across five technical categories: Statement of Work/Contract Activities (15 points), Training Requirements (25 points), General Experience with Verifiable Contacts (25 points), State Experience (5 points), and Specifications Completion (30 points), for a total of 100 possible points. The proposal submission deadline was July 29, 2020, with the award notice issued on July 31, 2020. Required qualifications included demonstrated experience with under bridge inspection units, the ability to provide comprehensive training, verifiable industry contacts, prior work with the State of Michigan, and the capacity to meet detailed technical specifications for the specialized equipment rebuild.

Aspen Aerials, Inc., located in Duluth, Minnesota, was the sole responsive and responsible bidder and received the notice of intent to award at a total contract value of $295,850.00, comprised of $281,850.00 for inspection and rebuild services, $8,000.00 for training, and $6,000.00 for transport fees, with a technical score of 90 points. The procurement was not designated as a set-aside for disadvantaged enterprises, small businesses, or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and Aspen Aerials, Inc. was not identified as such an entity. No incumbent vendor or alternative contractor information was provided in the solicitation documents. The award was pending State Administrative Board approval at the time of the notice. Bidders not recommended for award were afforded the opportunity to schedule debriefing sessions with Solicitation Manager Mark Morrison to review the State's evaluation rationale and scoring methodology.