DNR mussel surveys on Mississippi, Illinois and Rock rivers in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is procuring mussel survey services through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Contract No. 26-422DNR-RESCO-B-51196, with bids due by March 10, 2026. The procurement seeks qualitative mussel surveys across the Mississippi, Illinois, and Rock Rivers in Illinois, requiring the vendor to conduct surveys at a minimum of 100 survey locales distributed among the three river systems, with each location requiring 20 person-minutes of search effort using visual and tactile methods, primarily through diving operations. The vendor must collect all live mussels encountered and dead shells representing each species identified, categorize live specimens by life stage, and identify all organisms using contemporary scientific and common nomenclature. Deliverables include a comprehensive report and data file provided to the DNR upon completion. Vendors must submit bids electronically through BidBuy, with all required documentation including Vendor Disclosure forms, an Offer to the State of Illinois, pricing information, Business Enterprise Program/Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plans as applicable, and any subcontractor disclosures. Questions must be submitted in writing to the designated Information Contact no later than three business days prior to the bid opening date, and a Pre-Bid Conference is referenced with details available in the BidBuy posting. Awards will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the lowest price meeting all specified criteria, with bids remaining firm for 180 days from opening.

The solicitation may include a small business set-aside designation, requiring bidders to register with the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program at the time bids are due if applicable. Vendors must complete mandatory state registrations including those with the Illinois Board of Elections, Illinois Secretary of State (except sole proprietorships), and Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG) registration if utilizing active vendor disclosure forms. Companies with 15 or more employees must obtain an Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Public Contracts Number prior to contract award. Vendors must disclose whether their company is at least 51% owned and controlled by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged individuals, or veterans, and Business Enterprise Program plans must be submitted if applicable. The contract may be partially or fully funded with federal funds, with the percentage and dollar amount to be disclosed upon notice of award. A $15 administrative fee applies to any contract award valued at $1,000 or more and will be deducted from the vendor's first payment. No bid bonds or performance bonds are required for this procurement.