DNR - Fish Telemetry Tags

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking to procure fish telemetry tags for tracking habitat use and movement patterns of Minnesota River fishes through a formal Request for Bid (RFB) posted on April 28, 2025. The specific procurement includes 22 V16-4x-A69-9001 Rounded Case tags for Paddlefish Catfish, 48 V13-1x-A69-1604 Rounded Case tags for Walleye, and 12 V13-1x-A69-1604 External Cap tags for Gar. The tags must meet precise technical specifications, including specific power requirements, estimated tag life ranges between 1017 to 2333 days, and random delay settings. Bidders must submit their responses through the SWIFT Supplier Portal by May 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with all questions to be submitted no later than May 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT. Delivery of the tags is scheduled for June 2, 2025, to the DNR facility in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with the contract term running from May 5, 2025, to September 30, 2025. The solicitation requires vendors to provide comprehensive product documentation, including equipment sales literature, installation instructions, and applicable manuals.

The state has implemented several preference provisions to encourage participation from diverse businesses, including targeted group businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, and veteran-owned businesses. Certified small businesses majority-owned by veterans can receive up to a 12% preference in the procurement process. The solicitation also emphasizes environmental responsibility, preferring recycled materials when pricing is within 10% of non-recycled alternatives. Bidders must navigate the SWIFT Supplier Portal's multi-factor authentication and comply with emerging regulations around product substances, including prohibitions on triclosan, coal tar, and restrictions on PFAS-containing products. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the procurement involves 82 total telemetry tags with specific technical requirements. Vendors must be prepared to provide current production models of the telemetry tags and obtain authorization documentation from original equipment manufacturers. The state reserves the right to use any resulting contract and encourages participation from Minnesota-based businesses or those owned by racial minorities, women, persons with substantial physical disabilities, or located in economically disadvantaged counties.