Competitive solicitation is the formal or informal process of obtaining quotes, bids or proposals from vendors to determine contract award based on factors such as pricing, product cost, supply situation, quality, timeliness,
and best value from responsive and responsible vendors. Some of these concepts are defined below: Best value is determined by analyzing the components of the proposal such as price, quality, expertise, schedule, terms and conditions, product cost, supply situation,
timeliness, expertise, Michigan economic impact, environmental and sustainability practices, compliance with labor laws, etc. and identifying the vendor who provides the best overall offer to the State

Prior to initiating the evaluation and negotiation process, the Solicitation Manager is responsible for reviewing the vendor proposals to ensure that the proposal is responsive. A “responsive” proposal is one that is submitted in accordance with the solicitation instructions and meets all mandatory minimum requirements identified in the solicitation.If avendor, or an employee of a vendor, participatesin the solicitation preparation process,the vendoris not permitted to receive an award on a contract resulting from that solicitation.
3If necessary, the Solicitation Manager may request assistance from the Subject Matter Experts in determining if a mandatory minimum requirement is met.Any proposal that is not responsive, as determined by the Solicitation Manager, andin consultation with the Procurement Executive,may not move to Step 3.

The Solicitation Manager must next determine if the vendor submitting a proposal is
responsible. A responsible vendor is a vendor that demonstrates it has the ability to
successfully perform the duties identified by the solicitation. In determining if a vendor is
“responsible” the Solicitation Manager should consider the following, or similar factors:
• Documented and investigated Vendor Performance
(https://stateofmichigan.sharepoint.com/teams/insidemi/Purchasing/Pages/IssueResolution.aspx)
• Vendor debarment, suspension, or disqualification from bidding or contracting with a
governmental entity
• Vendor involvement in litigation against the State
• Vendor default or termination for cause on a government contract, including the
state of Michigan within the past five years
• Vendor default or termination for cause on a private contract by any private entity in
which similar services or products are being provided within the past five years
• Vendor’s financial stability
• Vendor meets all certification requirements on SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS)
• Vendor is able to comply with all legal requirements identified in the solicitation
• Vendors answers to questions on the Vendor Questions Worksheet
• Vendor history on State Contract Monitoring Reports or Contract Compliance
Reports
Any vendor that is not responsible, as determined by the Solicitation Manager, and in
consultation with the Procurement Executive, may not move to Step 4

The Solicitation Manager, in collaboration with the Program Manager and Subject Matter Experts, is responsible for identifying the evaluation method the State will use to evaluate proposals. There are two types of “Evaluation Methods”: • Evaluation conducted by the Solicitation Manager in collaboration with the Program Manager and Subject Matter Experts. • Evaluation conducted by Joint Evaluation Committee.

Sec. 261. (1) The department shall provide for the purchase of, the contracting for, and the providing of supplies, materials, services, insurance, utilities, third party financing, equipment, printing, and all other items as needed by state agencies for which the legislature has not otherwise expressly provided. If consistent with federal statutes, in all purchases made by the department, all other things being equal, preference shall be given to products manufactured or services offered by Michigan-based firms or by facilities with respect to which the operator is designated as a clean corporate citizen under part 14 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.1401 to 324.1429, or …

Request for Proposal (RFP). An RFP with an estimated amount greater than $50,000 must be publicly posted on SIGMA for a minimum of 14 calendar days unless an exception is obtained from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee. Invitation to Negotiate (ITN). The ITN document, described in Chapter 6, Section 6.4 Constructing the Solicitation, must be posted on the SIGMA system for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days unless otherwise approved by the Chief Procurement Officer or designee. 2 Competitive Proof of Concept (CPC). The CPC solicitation documents, described in Chapter 6, Section 6.5 Constructing the Solicitation, must be posted on the SIGMA system for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days unless otherwise approved by the Chief Procurement Officer or designee. Geographically-Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (GDBE) Mandatory Minimum. A GDBE Mandatory Minimum solicitation with an estimated amount greater than $50,000 must be publicly posted on SIGMA for a minimum of 14 calendar days unless an exception is obtained from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee.