FY2020-Appendix-A Required Specifications-Quail.pdf

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

RFR#: DFW-2019-019

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE AND BUSINESS SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Vendors who have not previously received an award for game birds from the

Commonwealth must stipulate that they have at least three years’ experience in production of game birds of the type bid upon prior to this bid opening date. Vendors, who did not provide birds to this agency in 2017, must include references from two clients to whom they have provided game birds during the previous three years. The references must demonstrate vendor's ability to supply game birds on time of the quality and at least the minimum quantity as specified in the RFR.

2. Vendors who do not meet the required three years production experience as stipulated above may bid. This Agency may elect to accept such a bid if there are not enough acceptable bids to fulfill the Agency's requirements, and if the Agency is convinced after inspection, that the vendor would be able to supply the number of birds indicated in the bid proposal. It is required that vendors in this category also include references from two clients to whom they have provided game birds.

3. To be considered, a vendor must be able to supply a minimum quantity of 1,000 adult quails. If a vendor can supply more than a minimum quantity, the total number supplied over minimum must be evenly divisible by 500. A vendor does not have to bid both items nor is a vendor required to bid more than the minimum quantity.

Vendors are encouraged to bid more than the minimum quantity, but this is not a mandatory requirement.

4. No vendor will be awarded more than 50% of the number of birds needed for unless:

a. No other qualified vendors bid.

OR

b. Not enough birds from qualified vendors were bid.

5. The bidder(s), whose bid is determined the best value for the Commonwealth, will be awarded a contract. '' Best value" will be determined by cost, quality of product (from agency experience or references), quality of service (from agency experience or references), Massachusetts Agricultural Vendor Preference, and proximity to pick-up or delivery site. Bidders must bid the minimum requirement specified to be considered for an award.

6. Agency personnel may visit any vendor's facility to determine the vendor has the ability to supply on time the quantity and quality of game birds specified in the RFR.

Any site visit will during normal working hours and no prior notification need be given by the Commonwealth.

7. The vendor's facility should be no more than 200 driving miles from the delivery site. Vendor facilities located more than 200 driving miles from the delivery site may bid, but must satisfactorily explain in their bid how they can deliver birds in good condition to the delivery site on a timely basis.

8. Agency personnel may cancel scheduled deliveries due to hazardous or inclement weather and storm events. Agency personnel will provide at least 24 hours of advance notice of a cancellation to the vendor.

9. All of these game birds will be used to provide sport for licensed hunters. They must be healthy, fully feathered, full winged and strong fliers. There must be an equal number of male and female birds in each delivery.

10. Any bird found dead, injured, sick or not in compliance with RFR specifications will be rejected, and the vendor will be required to replace those defective birds at the next scheduled delivery or pick-up. The Commonwealth will not pay for unsatisfactory birds.

11. Birds must be provided adequate ventilation during shipping and boxes must be kept under waterproof covering in rain or snow periods. A vendor must supply a minimum of 200 birds per day and may be requested to supply an additional 300 birds per day.

A delivery schedule and/or a pick up schedule will be provided at least twenty-one days prior to the start of the delivery period.

12. Along with the shipment of birds, non-medicated feed, of the same type that had been given to the quail prior to shipment, must be provided. The amount of feed must be enough to ensure that birds are properly fed until stocking or the next shipment date, which ever is sooner. This cost must be part of the base bid per bird. There will be no contract increases to cover the cost of this required feed.

13. Monday delivery each week is preferred.

TESTING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. Vendors must either provide to the Agency certification that the birds are from a

National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Avian Influenza monitored flock as determined by the State of origin or conduct official avian influenza testing of flock(s) according to the following specifications: 1) Cloacal or tracheal swab samples for official tests shall be taken by an NPIP Authorized agent or State Inspector and tested by an NPIP authorized Laboratory. 2) The minimum number tested shall be 30 birds per flock from the age group to be released, with at least 1 bird taken from each segregated flight pen. 3) The birds sampled must have negative avian influenza test results within 30 days of delivery and the test results must be furnished to the Agency prior to delivery. This means that vendors, supplying birds for a period greater than 30 calendar days, may need to sample birds more than once.

2. Vendors must furnish to the Agency one month prior to delivery date and must accompany each delivery with a USDA NPIP Form 9-3. Blood sampling may be done by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture at delivery sites.

QUAIL REQUIREMENTS

Quantity: 3,500 Adult Bobwhite Quail (estimated total requirement).

Bird Requirements Birds must weigh 6 to 7 ounces and be at least 18 weeks old. Jumbo

Wisconsin, Indiana or other meat variety quail are not acceptable.

Subspecies or Mutations such as Mexican Speckled, Tennessee Reds, Whites, Blondes, Silvers and Masked are not acceptable

Beaks must not be deformed and mandibles must be fully beaked. Quail must have been raised in flight pens and must be strong fliers.

Packing/Shipping/Delivery: Adult quail may be packed by the vendor in shipping boxes supplied by the Agency. The vendor shall be responsible for picking up these boxes Delivery period is Oct 15, 2019 to Nov 29, 2019. On scheduled delivery dates birds must be delivered to the Southeast Wildlife District, 195 Bournedale

Rd., Buzzards Bay, MA. On the bid form please indicate general delivery schedule

(i.e. every Monday or every other Wednesday). Delivery dates will be specified on the delivery schedule, which will be supplied to the vendor 21 days prior to delivery.

DISCLAIMER/LIABILITY CLAUSE

The Contractor will release and agree to hold blameless the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, its employees and agents acting within the scope of their official duties from any and all liability or loss resulting from acts or omissions except willful torts.

BUDGET AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

Payment shall be made upon the DFW/DFG’s determination of satisfactory delivery of birds, and shall be made by the Division within forty-five (45) days of receipt of an invoice. This provision shall not apply if Division notifies the Contractor of insufficiencies in the work or non-compliance with the contract terms within thirty (30) days of receipt of said invoice. If so notified, the invoice amount will not be remitted and no invoice or demand for payment will be accepted until the contract compliance has been met. Once compliance has been met, payment after resubmission of an invoice will be made within forty-five (45) days.