Asian Carp Harvest and Sampling

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking qualified commercial fishermen for an Asian Carp Harvest and Sampling contract to remove at least 1 million pounds of invasive carp annually from the upper Illinois Waterway, specifically targeting the Starved Rock and Marseilles pools to prevent Asian Carp from establishing in the Great Lakes. The contract will run from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, with potential renewal for three additional years. Vendors must be licensed Illinois commercial fishermen with three years of commercial fishing experience and must have harvested at least 100,000 pounds of commercial species in two of those years. The procurement includes two line items: Asian Carp Harvest and Sampling, and Asian Carp Sampling for Rapid Response/Intensive Seine, with fishing weeks assigned on an as-needed basis. Bidders must submit proposals electronically through BidBuy by October 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with a non-mandatory pre-submission conference scheduled for September 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Springfield, IL. Vendors are required to provide specific equipment including a plate aluminum Jon boat with a minimum 150 hp outboard motor, and various net types with precise measurements and specifications.

The solicitation does not specify explicit small business set-asides or disadvantaged enterprise requirements. The contract is funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Federal Assistance Program (CFDA #15.662), and vendors must complete registrations across multiple Illinois state platforms, including the Illinois Board of Elections, Secretary of State, and Illinois Department of Human Rights. Vendors hiring qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders might be eligible for tax credits. The state will evaluate bids based on responsiveness, responsibility, and lowest price per line item, with no guaranteed minimum work. Performance will be monitored, and contracts may be terminated if monthly harvest catch per unit effort does not meet 70% of the monthly average. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract allows for mileage reimbursement for out-of-state sampling locations following state travel guidelines. Vendors must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms and certify compliance with various state procurement protocols.