Bison Grazing - Big Basin Prairie Preserve

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is seeking a qualified contractor to manage bison grazing at the Big Basin Prairie Preserve, a 1,818-acre protected area located in Clay County. This Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicits a contractor with at least 10 years of bison management experience to provide grazing services for a maximum of 58 animal units annually. The contract term spans five years, from the date of award through December 31, 2029, with an optional five-year renewal period through December 31, 2034. Bidders must submit pricing on a per animal unit basis, with payments to be made in two annual installments of 50% each on January 1 and July 1. The contractor must provide their own portable working chute capable of safely handling bison and maintain appropriate insurance coverage. Key deliverables include managing the bison herd within the preserve's designated grazing zones, adhering to specific animal unit equivalents for different ages and types of bison. The bid closes on February 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, with all questions due by January 10, 2025, and must be submitted via email to the procurement officer.

The State of Kansas offers bidder preferences for certified businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses, which must be claimed by including the Preference Request Form and appropriate documentation with the bid response. Bidders are required to submit a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue and must be officially invited to participate in the bidding process. The procurement requires notification of intent to bid at least 24 hours before the closing date, and all bids must be submitted in US Dollars. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract involves annual payments based on the animal unit rate proposed by the successful bidder. Delivery of any associated materials will be FOB Plant, loaded into truck, and delivered to the Region 4 - Wichita location at 6232 E 29th St N, Wichita, KS 67220. The procurement is managed through the Kansas Department of Administration's Office of Procurement and Contracts, with Phil L. Curtis serving as the procurement officer and point of contact.