DEEP032726CM_Apr_13_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is an Invitation to Bid (ITB) solicitation document issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) for the procurement of northern pike fingerlings. DEEP is seeking competitive bids for 20,000 northern pike fingerlings measuring 2-3 inches in length, sourced from lake-dwelling broodstock populations and destined for stocking in four Connecticut lakes: Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, and Pachaug Pond. The fingerlings must be delivered alive and in good health. The solicitation opened on March 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM EDT with bids due on April 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. No bidders' conference or site visit is scheduled. The preferred delivery window is June 1-14, 2026, with weekend deliveries permitted and holiday deliveries prohibited. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder demonstrating full compliance with all specifications and DEEP's standard bid terms and conditions.

Pricing terms are specified as Free On Board (FOB) Destination, with vendor-specified payment terms and no estimated total contract value disclosed in the solicitation. Dead or dying fish upon delivery will be counted and deducted from final payment. The solicitation is open to all qualified vendors with no set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or vendor type restrictions identified. Bidders must demonstrate extensive experience in interstate transport of large live fish loads, obtain all necessary state and federal permits, provide comprehensive health certification documentation including viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) testing from a certified pathology laboratory submitted at least 10 days prior to departure, and coordinate with DEEP Fisheries biologists at least two weeks prior to loading. Transportation water must be sourced exclusively from well-water and free of dreissenid mussels. Inquiries should be directed to Chanel Macklin at 860-424-3317 or chanel.macklin@ct.gov.