RFR_Template_Hatchery_StockingOperations_9-15-2025.docx

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Fisheries, Hatchery, and Aquaculture Goods and Services

DFW-2026-026

Request for Response Fisheries, Hatchery, and Aquaculture Goods and Services

(DFW-2026-026)

ISSUE DATE: 09/15/2025

Description or Purpose of Procurement:

The purpose of this Request for Response (RFR) is to solicitate bids for the procurement of goods and services necessary to implement the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife’s) Hatchery, Fish Stocking, Fisheries Conservation, and Education Programs.

The RFR will result in a Master Blanket Agreement with multiple vendors that offer hatchery and fisheries equipment and supplies, as well as repairs, maintenance, and inspections for all equipment used by the hatchery, fish stocking, research, management, education and other conservation programs.

Through the resulting Master Blanket Agreements, MassWildlife will conduct future purchases through the solicitation of quotes and the issuance of purchases order from vendors authorized under the Master Blanket Agreements. This will enable MassWildlife to procure goods and services in an efficient and timely manner allowing our hatcheries to perform critical functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Applicable Procurement Law:

Executive Branch Goods and Services

Acquisition Method:

Whether Single or Multiple Contractors are Required for Contract:

Check One (“X”):

Rental Options may be available under this RFR as deemed necessary by MassWildlife Estimated Number of Awards The target maximum number of Contractors is no limit; the MassWildlife may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to do so.

Rolling Enrollment and Adding Contractors after initial Contract Award MassWildlife intends this procurement to be a rolling enrollment and additional contractors may be added to the contract award throughout the life of the contract. A rolling enrollment contract means proposals may be submitted and evaluated at any time with no submission deadline. MassWildlife may evaluate submissions periodically, including but not limited to quarterly or semiannually depending on MassWildlife’s need.

MassWildlife reserves the right to suspend the review of additional submissions or close the solicitation for new responses entirely if it deems that the number of contractors awarded at that point in time sufficiently meets MassWildlife needs. If after such a decision, MassWildlife determines that additional contractors should be added, these may first be drawn from qualified companies which responded to the RFR but were not awarded contracts.

Entities Eligible to Use the Resulting Contract

· All Departments of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

· Primary users will be the Departments of Fish and Game.

· Any entity of EEA may utilize the contract including but not limited to Conservation and Recreation, Agriculture, and Environmental Police

· MassWildlife may develop annual department thresholds if in the best interest of MassWildlife.

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to add or remove additional authorized users during the contract term.

Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Initial Duration

Contract Execution through December 31, 2030

Total Maximum Contract Duration

14 years

Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation:

Estimated Value of Procurement: $Variable Per Contract.

Anticipated expenditures will depend on the work needed by MassWildlife. Individual vendor contracts are anticipated to be rate contracts and the estimated valued will vary based on the good or service needed. However, the estimated value for most vendor contracts is anticipated to be <$10k/year. Total value is not estimated to exceed $250,000 per year.

Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

Scope of Services and/or Commodities being Procured: Contractor(s) will provide goods and services as needed.

The purpose of this Request for Response is to procure goods and services necessary to implement MassWildlife’s Hatchery, Fish Stocking, and Fisheries Conservation and Education Programs and may be utilized when a good or services is not available through a Statewide Contract offered through the Operational Services Division (OSD). The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) conducts year-round hatchery operations at 5 fish hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague and stocks >500,000 fish into Massachusetts waterways during spring and fall stocking season. In support of these efforts, we require the services of professional hatchery, aquaculture, fishing stocking, and other fisheries conservation and management suppliers to provide supplies and equipment, as well as repairs, maintenance, and inspections for all equipment used by the hatchery, fish stocking, research, management, and education programs. Comment by LaBate, Tori (FWE): do you need to restate this here? Comment by Pratt, Cynthia (FWE): @McCarthy, Kris (FWE) I think we can take this out - it’s just repeating what’s in the first section. Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): It should stay here and shorten the purpose. As an MA these are important to the specifications. This are the goods and services we need

Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): I removed it from the purpose. Keep this section as it.

A variety of goods and services necessary to implement MassWildlife’s Hatchery and Fish Stocking, and Conservation and Education Programs, will be provided under this contract. Examples included, but are not limited to:

· Aquaculture (Hatchery) Goods and Services.

· Fish Stocking Goods and Services.

· Fisheries operations and resources including the goods and services necessary to implement fisheries research, management, and restoration programs.

· Fisheries Education Equipment, Supplies, and Services.

· Hatchery water quality testing (Ammonia, Nitrogen, etc.).

· Hatchery’s Flow Meter Calibration.

· Marine and freshwater vessel services, repairs, parts, and maintenance (electrofishing boat and others).

· Other goods or services awarded vendors supply. Other goods or services may include the purchase of wildlife, rare species, outreach and education, and habitat management goods and services if those items are not available under an alternative contract. It is MassWildlife’s intention to create a sister contract(s) for Wildlife Goods and Services. If awarded vendors are able to provide the good or service in the interim they will be authorized to do so until a contract is executed.

Large single purchases as identified by MassWildlife, are excluded from this procurement and will be purchased through a separate competitive bid process. Excluded large procurements include but are not limited to Fish Feed, Stocking Trucks, and Tanks. Any single purchase conducted under this contract exceeding $35,000 per award requires approval by MassWildlife CFO or their designee.

MassWildlife will be awarding multiple contracts with qualified vendors resulting in Master Agreements. Awarded vendors will be pre-approved to submit quotes on future purchases. This will enable MassWildlife to procure goods and services in an efficient and timely manner allowing our hatcheries and other programs to perform critical functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When MassWildlife needs to purchase goods or services the agency will contact one or more qualified Master Agreement contractors with specific requirements for the needed items or service. The vendors will be asked to provide a project specific bid and delivery time for the product or service as a bid response to a Request for Quote (RFQ) (see Request for Quotes section below for additional information). See Quote Requirements for additional information.

Master Agreements Pricing (Vendor Bid response):

The Bidder(s) will supply a list of prices and/or discount rate for available items (pricing lists may include catalogs at no cost to MassWildlife or other eligible entities).

Bidders will provide the amount of any discount offered on goods or services. Please include quantity discounts as applicable. A flat-rate discount or discount by item type is acceptable.

For services, the Contractor will provide an hourly labor rate(s) and discount rate for parts. Or other rate structured as appropriate for their business model The format of the pricing list may be flexible to accommodate different company models. The recommended method is for bidders to submit a complete list of all products with base prices and % discount or direct buyers to a vendor website with a defined discount off the price on their website.

All equipment services must be performed by technicians certified for that brand of gear / equipment. Prevailing wage rates may apply and will be identified in Request for Quotes (RFQ) as applicable. Flat Discounts or discount by service is also acceptable as authorized under law (ex. discounts for prevailing wage are not allowable).

Please see Compensation Structure/Pricing under Additional Terms for additional information.

Purchasing Conducted under resulting Master Agreements (MA):

Through the RFR process, vendors will prepare and submit bids with pricing and/or discount rates which will be evaluated by MassWildlife. Awarded vendors will enter into a rate contract with MassWildlife establishing authorization as an active vendor under the resulting MA. Through the life of this procurement, MassWildlife staff will have the need to purchase equipment and supplies on an as needed basis, as well as repairs, services, and inspections. As the need arises, MassWildlife will submit requests for these goods or services using the Request for Quotes (RFQ). Only vendors authorized under the resulting Master Blanket Agreement will be eligible to respond to the RFQs.

If MassWildlife’s project specific bids received under the MA does not meet MassWildlife’s needs, MassWildlife may solicit additional proposals or conduct a separate competitive procurement.

Request for Quotes (RFQ) Quote Requirements For the purchase of Goods and Services:

· Obtaining quotes <$10,000: Eligible Entities will obtain one or more quotes from awarded contractors including SBPP when required by OSD policy. Multiple quotes are not required for purchases under $10,000, but strongly encouraged. SBPP requirements apply to purchases under $10,000.

· Request for Quotes for purchases exceeding $10,000: Eligible entities will be required to solicit quotes from multiple vendors which must include SBPP vendor(s) as available

· Proprietary products or services: At times, a product may be proprietary to a specific vendor (I.e.: a specific maker of equipment; equipment requiring certified maintenance, certified laboratories). If that is the case, procurement coordinators and requisitioners must document the proprietary product or service in the procurement file to record their due diligence.

· Continuity of Service Exception: At times, continuity of service for a product or service may be in the best interest of MassWildlife. If that is the case, procurement coordinators and requisitioners must document the need for continuity of the product or service in the procurement file to record their due diligence.

· Request for Quotes as an Emergency Purchase: An exception to quote requirements may be made to emergency procurements necessary to sustain hatchery and fish stocking operations. Emergency purchasing status will be determined by the MassWildlife’s Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) or their authorized official, with consultation from the Chief of Hatcheries, the Assistant Director of Fisheries, and/or Deputy Director(s) of MassWildlife.

· For all quotes, special pricing, promotional pricing, and pricing further negotiated by any Eligible Entity will be honored for all contract users for a minimum of 90 days.

· Request for Quotes for Construction Services: Quotes must follow construction law requirements and are not further defined by this RFR. See Construction Requirements.

· Purchase Orders: For each purchase or service rendered through the RFQ process a purchase order will be issued through CommBuys and the vendor will submit an invoice to MassWildlife. Payment will be made for each invoice or group of invoices submitted.

· Requests for Payment Authorization (RPA): The use of RPAs will be restricted but may be available on a limited basis as authorized by MassWildlife’s CFO or her authorized representative (ex. Emergency acquisition may be approve the use of an RPA)

· If an item or service is not available under the contract or a bid response is not in the best interest of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, such as cost prohibitive, MassWildlife may conduct additional solicitations which may include open market solicitations outside of the scope of this RFR.

· Costs which are not specifically identified in the vendor’s bid, and accepted by MassWildlife as part of the bid, will not be compensated under any contract awarded pursuant to this RFR.

Delivery Terms The prices are the delivered price to MassWildlife or any eligible entity (Purchasing Entity). All deliveries shall be F.O.B. destination, freight pre-paid, with all transportation and handling charges paid by the Contractor. Responsibility and liability for loss or damage shall remain the Contractor’s until final inspection and acceptance when responsibility shall pass to the Purchasing Entity except as to latent defects, fraud, and Contractor’s warranty obligations. The minimum shipment amount, if any, will be found in the special terms and conditions. Any order for less than the specified amount is to be shipped with the freight prepaid and added as a separate item on the invoice. Any portion of an Order to be shipped without transportation charges that is back ordered shall be shipped without charge.

All deliveries will be “Inside Deliveries” as designated by a representative of the purchasing entity placing the Order unless otherwise noted in the RFQ. Inside Delivery refers to a delivery to other than a loading dock, front lobby, or reception area. Specific delivery instructions will be noted on the order form or Purchase Order. Any damage to the building interior, scratched walls, damage to the freight elevator, etc., will be the responsibility of the Contractor. If damage does occur, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to immediately notify the Purchasing Entity placing the Order.

Costs shall include all packing and/or crating charges.

Bidders must coordinate time of delivery with the MassWildlife or another Eligible Entity, if requested. If the bidder uses a third-party company to satisfy delivery request, the Bidder is responsible for ensuring that the delivery company coordinates with the Eligible Entity.

Late deliveries, or deliveries that cannot be made within the above guidelines, may be canceled at no cost to MassWildlife or other Eligible Entity. As an example, an Eligible Entity may refuse or cancel the delivery of a product if it cannot be delivered by the last day of the Fiscal Year (June 30th) when it was ordered.

Returns/Disposal The Bidder’s returned good policy must allow for the return of unused products normally stocked by the Bidder, within 90 days of delivery, free of charge, including transportation back to the bidder’s facility, in case when:

· The wrong item was ordered,

· Product that was not ordered was delivered,

· Unopened product is being returned in the same condition as received for any reason,

· Product performance, appearance, or other attributes do not meet the MassWildlife’s or other eligible entities requirements.

Warranties Bidders must offer at least the manufacturer’s warranty on all products sold with the cost of the warranty included in the price. It is desirable that extended warranty options be offered at no additional charge. In cases where a written warranty is not shipped with the product it is the Bidder’s responsibility to inform the Eligible Entity of warranty coverage.

Hatchery Office Locations and Contact Information:

An updated list of MassWildlife Offices including Hatchery locations may be found on MassWildlife’s website: mass.gov/masswildlife (see locations).

Construction Requirements: Comment by LaBate, Tori (FWE): what does this mean? Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): This means that in a state of emergency, a vendor may be asked to priority goods/services to the state over other entities. This is when the Gov declares a state of emergency Comment by LaBate, Tori (FWE): so is this a "may ask" or should it be a "may require"? Comment by LaBate, Tori (FWE): is this typical? It feels like we would be asking them to breach other contracts. Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): Its standard language in SWC, doesn't have to be in ours. But it can be helpful in Gov declared emergencies.

The procurement of construction-related services is not the intention of this RFR. However, purchases may be made if MassWildlife (or another eligible entity) is able to ensure compliance with construction law requirements.

Purchasers must ensure that any services involving construction are limited to $50,000 or less.

Purchasing entities are responsible for compliance with applicable construction law requirements. Information concerning specific M.G.L. c. 149 and c. 30 construction requirements may be found in the Office of the Inspector General’s Public Procurement Charts at: mass.gov/download-oig-public-purchasing-and-public-constructionmanuals. It is the responsibility of the Eligible Entity to determine whether installation work includes construction as defined by M.G.L. c.149 or M.G.L. c.30, §39M. Chapter 30B Procurement Assistance from the Office of the Inspector General is available at mass.gov/how-to/get-public-procurement-assistance-from-our-chapter-30b-team. Access the 30B Hotline at 617-722-8838 or email them at: 30BHotline@massmail.state.ma.us.

Questions about public construction bidding should be directed to the Attorney General’s Office. Please visit the Attorney General’s Public Construction web page to learn more about Public Bidding Laws.

Bid Response and Required Forms A complete bid for evaluation includes the following:

· Bid Summary Sheet

· Pricing Proposal (No template):

· Pricing List: Bidder(s) will supply a list of prices or discount for available items or service (pricing lists may include catalogs at no cost to MassWildlife or other eligible entities).

· Bidders will provide the amount of any discount offered on goods or services. Please include quantity discounts as applicable. A flat-rate discount or discount by item type is acceptable.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires successful bidders to submit the following forms (mass.gov/lists/osd-forms):

· Standard Contract Form (watermarked version attached for reference)

· Commonwealth Terms and Conditions (signing the Standard Contract Form signifies acceptance of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions) (watermarked version attached for reference)

· Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing

· Request for Taxpayer Identification and Verification (Mass. Substitute W9 Form)

· Electronic Funds Transfer Sign Up Form

· Prompt Payment Discount Form

Successful Bidders who agreed to the terms and conditions of these forms electronically via COMMBUYS online Quote submission tool must still submit the above forms. Bidders who have previous contract(s) with the Commonwealth and have up-to-date, versions of the Request for Taxpayer Identification and Verification (Mass. Substitute W9 Form) on file with the Office of the State Comptroller may submit copies of the signed forms. However, a new Standard Contract Form and Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing must be submitted for each new contract with the Commonwealth. Please note that the Commonwealth deems void any changes made on or by attachment to the terms in any of these published forms and that, by submitting a bid in response to this RFR, the bidder agrees that they will sign these forms if notified that they are an apparent successful bidder.

In 2026, the Commonwealth will transition to a new financial application (MOSAIC). Vendors will be required to update forms in the Mosaic system if required by Office of the State Comptroller policy.

Over the life of the contract, form requirements may be subject to change based on Office of the Comptroller or Operational Services Division requirements.

Use of the Commonwealth’s Official e-procurement system (COMMBUYS) Awarded Contractors are required to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS, and to maintain a current email address for the Contractor's contact person. That email inbox must be monitored for communications, including bids and notifications from COMMBUYS, OSD, and Eligible Entities. The Commonwealth assumes no responsibility if a Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical issues, such as email filtering, computer, network, or ISP problems, cause email communications to be lost or rejected. Awarded contractors must comply with applicable COMMBUYS requirements.

Communication Changes to Contractor’s information Changes to the Contractor’s contact information, company name, legal address, payment address, tax identification number, authorized signatories, SDO-certification status, or EFT information are to be reported via email to the Contract Manager. In some cases, additional paperwork will be required to effect the change.

Point of Contact MassWildlife will ask awarded vendors to designate a Point of Contact(s) (Contractor Contract Manager) for communications with MassWildlife’s Contract Manager and staff.

Replacement of Contractor Staff Promptly notify the Commonwealth Contract Manager regarding Replacement of Contractor staff.

Quality of Work Performance Measures:

Performance of the Awarded vendor(s) under the resulting Contracts will be evaluated based on the following performance measures:

· Price

· Vendor Responsiveness

· Timeliness

· Quality of Good or Service

· Contract Administration (ex. Timely and Accurate Invoicing)

· Compliance

· Other Categories as deemed necessary by MassWildlife staff The Performance Measures will be used to determine if an Awarded vendor has failed to perform contractual obligations. Such failure may result in any of the following actions:

i. Corrective Action, Suspension and Termination

ii. Cover/Replacement Costs If issues arise MassWildlife will send written notice to the vendor via email.

Additional Terms:

Bill Pay Payment Policy: All invoices issued pursuant to this contract are payable in accordance with the Comptroller’s Bill Payment Policy: Understanding Commonwealth payments | Mass.gov . The Commonwealth's Bill Paying Policy outlines the Commonwealth’s policies that apply to the expenditure of Commonwealth Funds by Executive Departments, including but not limited to: Prompt Payment Discount, Late Payments, and EFT Requirements.

Tax Exempt: Goods and services procured by MassWildlife are tax exempt. Payment vouchers or invoices submitted to Massachusetts government entities must not include sales tax. The eligible entity will supply the tax exemption certificate when requested.

Master Contracts: Awarded vendors will enter into a Master Agreement Contract(s) with MassWildlife to become an authorized vendor to provide goods and services under this RFR.

MassWildlife will solicit purchases through Request for Quotes (RFQ) and procure Goods and Services through purchase orders in the CommBuys system. MassWildlife will utilize purchase orders, a project specific contract, or both to execute individual purchases.

Prevailing wage may be applicable to certain RFQ conducted under this RFR and the resulting contract(s). If prevailing wage is required, the requirement will be noted in the Request for Quote (RFQ) and vendors will be able to incorporate prevailing wage into their response to the RFQ. For more information prevailing wage please see: Prevailing Wage Program | Mass.gov Compensation Structure/Pricing and Evaluation Compensation will be based on the pricing information submitted by the Bidder and accepted by MassWildlife. Bidders will be awarded based in part on the percentage discount they offer from Manufacturers suggested list price unless specified otherwise. Renegotiation of Authorized Price Changes Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): Do we want to keep this?

The Awarded Contractors may submit a request to update their List Price to the Contract Manager. This request should include an updated List Price File and any supporting documentation for the increase. The format of the pricing list may be flexible to accommodate different company models. Bidders may submit a complete list of all products with base prices and % discount or direct buyers to a vendor website with a defined discount off the price on their website.

Renegotiation of Discount rates / price changes may be made with the approval of MassWildlife with the submission of compelling evidence subject to MassWildlife for review. MassWildlife reserves the right to implement a renegotiation schedule with MA vendors. MassWildlife may require supporting documentation to justify price or discount changes. MassWildlife will not guarantee a price change. Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): We need to figure out how to say this? We under stand there may be need to renegotiate (especially with the total length, but we want to make sure this isn't constant), but we also don't want to tie our hands in case there is something a vendor really needs us to address. Comment by LaBate, Tori (FWE): can you tie to renewal period or are you worried you may need to accommodate a vendor during the contract? If you tie to renewal period we could say " if MassWildlife and Vendor agree to a renewal period Masswildlife could be open to negotiation of discount rates or price changes. Any propose increase must be accompanied by compelling evidence supporting the increase. Total increases cannot exceed ___. MassWildlife provide no guarantee that discount or price changes will be approved" Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): We want the flexibility to address specific vendors, however, we are afraid that we may get overwhelmed or some vendors may try to abuse. I think we can address this if we say that we are willing to work with them, but may develop a schedule.

Price Limitation: The bidder must agree that no other state or public entity customer within the United States of similar size and with similar terms and conditions shall receive a lower price for the same commodity and service during the contract period, unless this same lower price is effective for the Commonwealth.

Subcontracting It is permissible to use subcontractors to provide goods and services to the Commonwealth. However, a primary contractor will be held responsible for the performance of the subcontractor. In addition, MassWildlife may require that the primary contractor must inform MassWildlife who the subcontractors the goods and services they will be providing. Subcontracting will not increase the prices offered by the bidder in response to this RFR without prior authorization from MassWildlife. MassWildlife, at their discretion, may require subcontractor approval.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations:

All activities agreed to and conducted under this RFR and contract must comply with federal, state, and local laws. Nothing in this RFR or its resulting contracts is intended to supersede or violate any laws.

Vendors requesting MassWildlife to execute account establishment agreements or any other type of sub agreement resulting from this RFR are subject to approval by MassWildlife, to the terms of the RFR and resulting contract(s) and may not include terms and conditions that would contradict the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Terms and Conditions or other applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Comment by McCarthy, Kris (FWE): If a commodity becomes available under a SWC, I think this section would cover us when we can not longer purchase under the Department Agreement.

Public Records Law All Quotes and information submitted in response to this RFR are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., Chapter 66, Section 10, and to Chapter 4, Section 7, Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted Quotes that are inconsistent with these statutes shall be disregarded.

Small Business Purchasing Program Program Background The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 523 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

SBPP Award Preference While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SSST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

SBPP Participation Eligibility To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP-registered business in COMMBUYS:

1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

2. Been in business for at least one year;

3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SBPP Compliance Requirements It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP Webpage.

Program Resources and Assistance Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

Environmentally Preferable Products Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consistent with 801 CMR 21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

Evaluation Criteria Contractors must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFR. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria. Additional information may be requested for evaluation purposes.

This is a rolling enrollment contract where any vendor that provides and meets the eligibility requirements may submit a bid to become a vendor approved under the Master Blanket Agreement for future purchases through RFQs.

Solicitation and selection of the Contractors will be conducted by the MassWildlife.

Evaluation Criteria:

· Performance History

· Please note that price, including percent discount vendors offer from Manufacturers suggested list price will weigh heavily.

· Quality and/or Qualifications to provide the good or service (ex. Products or services provided)

· Availability and/or Timeliness

· Certifications (ex. SBPP, SDO, NGO) Price will hold significant weight in the evaluation process for both determining awarded vendors under the Master Blanket and in resulting RFQs. Bids which demonstrate the best value overall, including proposed alternatives, that will achieve the goals of the RFQ will be awarded. MassWildlife and a selected Bidder may negotiate a change in any element of Contract performance or cost identified in the original RFR or the selected Bidder’s Quote which results in lower costs or a more cost effective or better value than was presented in the selected Bidder’s original Quote. Prompt Payment discounts are not incorporated into evaluations and are separate from percent discounts vendors offer from Manufacturers.

Additional evaluation criteria may be added for individual RFQs.

Eligible Vendors:

To be eligible for consideration and remain eligible to provide goods or services under this RFR all vendors must be in (and remain) in good standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other government entities. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

a) May not be Debarred, Suspended, or Decertified

b) Be in good standing with the Department of Revenue (DOR) or if no tax history in MA, bidder must be in good standing with all tax entities, federal and state as applicable.

c) Comply with Laws, Regulations, Policies, and Procedures

d) Vendors must be qualified to provide specified good or service. MassWildlife may have specific requirements for specialized good and services purchased through a RFQ under the resulting Master Blanket Agreement. In these circumstances this information will be provided in the RFQ

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

Online Questions (Bid Q&A) Written Questions must be entered using the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the “Online Questions Due” date and time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above). The issuing department reserves the right to not respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions.

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Written questions and responses will be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab for this Bid in COMMBUYS.

b. Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening Date/Time) See the Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening) Date and Time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above). MassWildlife’s intention is the creation of a rolling enrollment contract.

c. Estimated Contract Start Date Contract start dates will vary, however, MassWildlife target date for initial Master Contract awards is September 26, 2025.

Required Forms:

Responses to this RFR must contain the following documents:

The above attachments are available as part of the Bid record on COMMBUYS.com

Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR. Responses must be sent via the “Create Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Appendix B.

Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFR may be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission.

RFR Attachments Appendix A: Required Specifications https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services Appendix B: Electronic Quote Submission Instructions https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids Appendix C: RFR – Other Specifications

Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways: 1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper); 2. Electronic signature that is either: a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or Page 2 b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature 3. Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

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