A&I For Fish Nursery Operator

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is soliciting responses from insured for-profit, non-profit, and public entities for a 10-year sub-lease to maintain and operate a trout nursery facility in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. The facility, located at 57 Upper Farm Road, Norristown, Pennsylvania 19403, encompasses approximately 6 pool raceways, suitable wells, a clubhouse, pavilion, and storage sheds. The primary objective is to rear fingerling trout to provide increased fishing opportunities for disadvantaged children, disabled citizens, and the general public during special events such as fishing derbies. Respondents must submit a one to three-page letter of interest including the organization name, primary contact information, a description of past, current, and future activities demonstrating successful nursery operation experience, and a minimum of three professional references. An onsite pre-bid conference will be held at the facility to allow prospective bidders to tour the nursery and related buildings; specific dates and times are available on the Bonfire portal. The submission deadline is June 4, 2026, with all proposals to be submitted electronically through Montgomery County's procurement portal at https://montcopa.bonfirehub.com/portal. Evaluation criteria include price, bidder experience, past performance, and other pertinent factors. All questions must be submitted through the Messages/Opportunity Q&A section in the Bonfire portal for public review, with questions received less than seven days prior to the deadline potentially not receiving responses.

The solicitation is open to insured for-profit, non-profit, and public entities with no specific set-asides for disadvantaged business enterprises, though vendors are invited to self-identify as local, small, or diverse business concerns if applicable and provide corresponding third-party certification documentation. The sub-lessee will be responsible for all operational costs including utilities, electricity, maintenance, trash removal, and portable toilet rentals; however, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has committed to funding capital costs associated with supplying a new dedicated electrical service to the selected operator. No award value or budget range is specified in the solicitation documents. Access to the site is restricted to the gate at 57 Upper Farm Road with the gate remaining locked unless otherwise authorized, and site use is limited to club-related activities and storage, with no camping, bonfires, or after-hours access permitted unless approved by the Norristown Farm Park Site Supervisor. Upon County review and DCNR approval, the sub-lease will be activated, after which DCNR will initiate a separate RFP for the electrical capital project. The Stony Creek Nursery site currently lacks electricity, and larger ponds are undergoing a dredge project that will be completed prior to or concurrent with the sub-lessee's operations.