DMF 26019 Cape Cod European Green Crab Disposal Study

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries issued a Request for Response (RFR 26019) soliciting a research study to evaluate the logistics and costs associated with collecting, storing, pooling, and transporting landed European green crabs—an invasive species affecting Cape Cod waters—to appropriate composting and disposal sites across 15 communities: Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Harwich, Dennis, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. The selected contractor will conduct interviews with all 15 municipalities and existing disposal sites, evaluate humane dispatching methods, and deliver a comprehensive final written report with feasibility recommendations and next steps by July 31, 2026. Key deliverables include a kick-off meeting to determine specific study tasks, a progress report due approximately halfway through the performance period, and the final report submission. Responses are due by March 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. via COMMBUYS, with successful bidder notification expected March 21, 2026 and contract start date of April 1, 2026. The one-year contract has no renewal options. Evaluation will be conducted using three weighted criteria: Quality of Proposal (40%), Meeting Project Goals and Objectives (40%), and Contractor Qualifications (20%), with only proposals satisfying submission requirements advancing to evaluation and scoring.

This procurement is designated as a Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) eligible contract, providing preference to SBPP-registered businesses that meet best value criteria. To be eligible, bidders must be registered in COMMBUYS and meet SBPP participation requirements, which include maintaining a principal place of business in Massachusetts, being in business for at least one year, employing 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, and demonstrating gross revenues of $15 million or less based on a three-year average. All responses must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS, and bidders must comply with Commonwealth environmentally preferable products requirements. The estimated procurement value is up to $10,000, structured as a fee-for-service engagement with a single contractor award anticipated. No incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure integration requirements are specified in this solicitation. Contractors selected must comply with all Commonwealth standard contract requirements, including Electronic Funds Transfer payment arrangements, Form W-9 submission, standard terms and conditions, and applicable data security and confidentiality obligations under Massachusetts General Law.