1. Proposal Preparation. Bidders must follow these Proposal Instructions. Bidders must provide the information requested in the Proposal Contents section below.
2. State Contact Information. The sole point of contact for the State concerning this RFP is the Solicitation Manager listed here. Contacting any other State official, employee, agent, or representative about this RFP may result in disqualification.
3. Modifications. The State may modify this RFP at any time. Modifications will be posted on the website. This is the only method by which the RFP may be modified.
4. Deficiency notice. The State may post a notice of deficiency on the website if it determines that a portion of the RFP was deficient, unclear, or ambiguous. Failure to respond to a deficiency notice as specified in the notice may result in disqualification.
5. Questions and Answers. Questions about this RFP must be emailed to the Solicitation Manager (ClimateRFP@michigan.gov) no later than the time and date specified. In the interest of transparency, only written questions will be accepted. The State’s answers will be posted on the website. Please include the RFP page number and section at issue for each question.
6. Proposal Submission. Bidders must email proposals including attachments to the designated email address. The State cannot receive email messages with a data volume greater than 25 MB. Therefore, prior to submitting your proposal, please validate that your message does not exceed that limit. This may require breaking your proposal into one or more email messages, in which case, mark your messages accordingly, e.g., “1 of 2.” Proposals must be received by the State on or before the proposal due date.
7. References to External Sources. References and links to websites or external sources may not be used in lieu of providing the information requested in the RFP within a proposal.
8. Evaluation. A contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder presenting the best value to the State. The State will determine best value. Best value is more than pricing alone; it includes the qualifications, experience, abilities, capacity, and cost-effectiveness of bidder proposals after reviewing actual, apparent, or potential conflicts of interest.
   
   Designated State staff will review proposals and issue a recommendation for award to the Attorney General for the final decision. The recommendation to the Attorney General will not include the names of the bidders.
   
   The State may utilize all bidder information to determine best value for services sought. The State may conduct an onsite visit to tour the bidder's work location; require an oral presentation of the bidder’s proposal; conduct interviews, independent research, reference checks, and background checks; and request concessions at any point during the evaluation process. The State will post a notice of award on the website after the decision has been made.
9. Clarification Notice. The State may request clarification of a proposal. Failure to respond to a clarification request as specified in the notice may result in disqualification.
10. Reservations. The State reserves the right to:

a. Discontinue the RFP process at any time for any or no reason.
b. Conduct due diligence.
c. Reject any and all proposals received as a result of this RFP.
d. Disqualify a bidder for failure to follow the Proposal Instructions or other requirements of the RFP.
e. Disqualify a bidder if the State determines an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest exists.
f. Disqualify a bidder if it is determined they purposely or willfully submitted false or misleading information in response to the RFP.
g. Consider late or disqualified proposals if deemed to be in the State’s best interests.
h. Consider prior performance with the State in making an award decision.
i. Refuse to award a contract to a bidder that has failed to pay State taxes or has outstanding debt with the State.
j. Negotiate with one or more bidders on price, terms, scope, or other deliverables.
k. Award multiple, optional-use contracts.

11. General Conditions. The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by participation in this solicitation. The bidder agrees that a proposal is considered an offer to do business with the State in accordance with the proposal, including the SAAG Contract, and that a proposal is irrevocable and binding for a period of 180 calendar days from proposal submission date. If a contract is awarded to the bidder, the State may, at its option, incorporate any part of the bidder’s proposal into a contract. This RFP is not an offer to enter into a contract. This RFP may not contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached.

12. Freedom of Information Act. Proposals and resulting contracts are subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq., and other law.