YDMP MDOT Safety Boots-Mobile Truck Solution

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the procurement of safety boots and mobile truck distribution services to support the Youth Development and Mentoring Program (YDMP), which serves 400-500 participants across Michigan over an 8-15 week period. The procurement requires approximately 400-500 pairs of ASTM F2413 or ANSI Z41 compliant safety boots measuring six inches or higher with safety toe (composite or steel toe acceptable) and I-75 markings, distributed across seven MDOT regions: Saginaw (25 pairs), Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Cadillac (50 pairs), Detroit (160 pairs), Gaylord/Traverse City/Alpena (70 pairs), Kalamazoo (35 pairs), Escanaba/L'Anse/St. Ignace (30 pairs), and Lansing/Jackson/Adrian (110 pairs). The maximum price per pair is capped at $80, with boots required for delivery between late April and early June 2019. The solicitation required written questions by May 3, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, with state responses posted by May 6, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, and proposals due May 9, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern through the Michigan SIGMA VSS electronic system. The anticipated contract begin date was May 15, 2019. Bidders must submit electronically with all documents in modifiable formats and limited to 6 MB per document, with pricing including all costs such as one-time fees, shipping, and handling. The state will award to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the best value based on meeting minimum point thresholds and evaluation criteria specified in the ITN, and reserves the right to negotiate with one or more bidders on price, terms, and technical requirements.

This procurement is a single-source procurement justified by MDOT's market research determining that Michigan Industrial Shoe (SIGMA Vendor Number CV0025476) was the only vendor capable of providing mobile fitting and truck distribution services within the specified parameters, as other researched vendors including state contract vendor Grainger and frequently used vendor Cintas could not meet the mobile truck delivery requirements. The solicitation documents do not indicate specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting respondent organization types. Contracts valued at $500,000 or greater require State Administrative Board approval; however, this procurement with a maximum contract value of approximately $40,000 (500 pairs × $80 maximum) does not trigger that threshold. Bidders must submit a Confidential Treatment Form indicating whether their proposals contain trade secrets or proprietary information requiring protection under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The state will pay undisputed invoices within 45 days of receipt or final acceptance of deliverables, whichever is later, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and all boots must meet safety specifications and be delivered F.O.B. destination with inside delivery included. The contract includes standard state terms addressing delivery, inspection, warranties, intellectual property, indemnification, and compliance with Michigan and applicable federal laws.