NIGP 32528: Fish Food

NIGP 32528 Fish Food, an Item code, encompasses specialized feeds for aquaculture and hatchery operations that state and local governments procure to support fisheries management and research. State departments of natural resources purchase extruded trout feed, medicated aquafeed formulations, experimental catfish diets, live forage species such as fathead minnows, and pelleted salmon and catfish food meeting detailed nutritional and flotation specifications. These products are ordered on routine replenishment cycles and as-needed bases to supply state fish hatcheries and research facilities.

Issuing bodies are predominantly state departments of natural resources, with some participation from university research operations. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources appears as a repeat buyer, soliciting live fathead minnows (two bids posted in July and August 2026) and specialized aquafeed for trout and muskellunge across multiple hatchery locations. Recent activity concentrates in the Upper Midwest and Southeast. Representative solicitations include the Georgia Department of Natural Resources RFQ for extruded trout feed (response due October 8, 2026), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources RFP for specially formulated aquafeed and medicated feed for trout and muskellunge across three product categories (response due October 1, 2026, with Addendum 1, Version 2 issued September 25, 2026), Mississippi State University's sole-source procurement of experimental catfish diets from Fish Belt Feeds totaling approximately $127,500 (response due September 17, 2026), the South Dakota Office of Procurement Management IFB for annual trout and salmon food contracts with detailed specifications including probiotic and immunostimulant additives and slow-sinking pellets (bids due June 24, 2026), and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources four-year IFB for pelleted catfish feed in multiple formulations for the Little Grassy Fish Hatchery (bids due May 27, 2026). Contracts are awarded to lowest responsive and responsible bidders; South Dakota applies resident business and in-state manufactured goods preferences where price and quality are substantially equal.