Cotton Seeds

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Contracts and Procurement Department is seeking sealed bids for a cotton seed procurement contract to plant 2,599 acres across TDCJ facilities. The solicitation specifically requests 545,000 bags of two cotton seed varieties: Phytogen 400W3PF and Phytogen 415W3PF, with precise technical requirements for seed treatment using imidacloprid/cruiser at prescribed rates. Vendors must provide pricing on a per-bag basis, including technology fees and genetic engineering costs, and deliver seeds to the TDCJ Pack Warehouse in Navasota, Texas. The bid opening is scheduled for November 20, 2025, at 3 P.M., with bid submissions accepted electronically to bids@tdcj.texas.gov or via hard copy. Bidders must comply with specific requirements including security protocols for deliveries to correctional facilities and E-Verify system workforce eligibility verification. Vendors will be evaluated based on their ability to meet the detailed technical specifications, pricing structure, and compliance with state procurement regulations.

The procurement opportunity includes a mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan with statewide HUB goals for commodities contracts set at 21.1%. Prime contractors must demonstrate good faith efforts to subcontract with Texas certified HUB vendors, completing comprehensive documentation that outlines their subcontracting intentions and potential HUB and non-HUB subcontractors. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the scale of the procurement (545,000 seed bags) suggests a significant agricultural supply contract. Contractors will be required to submit monthly compliance reports and seek approval for any modifications to their subcontracting plan. The solicitation emphasizes transparency and opportunity for historically underutilized businesses, with specific requirements for notifying certified HUB vendors and trade organizations about subcontracting opportunities. Vendors must also adhere to state ethics and procurement guidelines throughout the bidding and potential contract execution process.