Deer Cold storage and processing for chronic wasting disease program

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking a vendor to provide cold storage and processing services for deer collected during Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management activities in Rock Island County and surrounding regions. The contract, solicitation number 26-422DNR-RESCO-B-49362, requires the selected vendor to process between 200 and 600 deer annually at three field laboratory locations in Winnebago, McHenry, and Stephenson Counties. Specific deliverables include providing drop-off locations within 25 miles of these labs, performing skinning, washing, deboning, grinding, and packaging of deer into 1-pound frozen bags, and flash freezing venison to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The vendor must individually process deer, label each container with a carcass number, and hold venison frozen until CWD testing is confirmed. The contract term runs from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, with options for two additional years of renewal. Key qualifications include a minimum of two years of experience in venison processing and maintaining sanitary storage and processing conditions. The bid is due on October 6, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through the BidBuy platform, with bids remaining firm for 90 days from the opening date.

The procurement includes several set-aside and compliance requirements for potential vendors. Vendors must be registered with the Illinois Procurement Gateway and complete mandatory documentation, including Vendor Disclosures, Offer to the State of Illinois, and Business Enterprise Program/Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plan. The contract emphasizes participation of minority and veteran-owned businesses, with potential administrative fee considerations for contracts over $1,000. Subcontracting is permitted, but at least 51% of work must be completed by the prime contractor. The contract is funded through the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education Federal Assistance Program (CFDA #15.611), which brings additional federal procurement requirements. Processed venison will be made available for pickup by Northern Illinois Food Bank or other designated entities after CWD testing. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the scope suggests a multi-year procurement with potential processing of up to 600 deer annually. Vendors must also comply with various state regulations, including non-discrimination practices, tax compliance, and potential employment tax credits for hiring qualified veterans and ex-offenders.