DRC OPI - Agricultural Seed and Other Ground Inputs for OPI CCI Farm - 2026 Planting Season - ITB DRC260124

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) DRC260124 on February 2, 2026, seeking competitive bids for agricultural seed, fertilizers, ground inputs, and application services for the 2026 planting season at the Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) Farm located at Chillicothe Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio (15802 State Route 104 N). The procurement covers 475 acres of soybeans, 100 acres of corn, and 102 acres of hay, with specific deliverables including soybean herbicides (Metribuzin, Roundup PowerMax 3, Salvo, Enlist One, Liberty Ultra, and others), fungicides, micronutrients, and potash fertilizer; corn inputs including pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides, fertilizers (MAP, potash, urea, and 28% liquid nitrogen); and hay inputs consisting of DynaGro DG 421 alfalfa seed, orchard grass seed, and fertilizers with associated application services for approximately 1,625 total acres. Qualified bidders must demonstrate experience with similar agricultural projects, certify their ability to complete the project and deliver merchandise within 30 days of contract signing, warrant that materials comply with identified chemical compositions or equivalents, and provide warranty information. The contract award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with performance expected from the award date through June 30, 2027, with potential renewals by mutual agreement not to exceed four cumulative years total. All bids must be submitted through the OhioBuys platform no later than 4:00 p.m. Columbus time on February 18, 2026, with tentative delivery and application of all items scheduled for April 2026 (weather permitting). Bidders must acknowledge OhioBuys terms and conditions, complete all required response fields across applicable tabs, submit all-inclusive pricing in U.S. dollars including shipping and tariffs, and comply with Net 30 payment terms from invoice receipt.

The procurement is subject to Executive Orders 2019-12D and 2022-02D establishing statewide procurement guidelines and does not identify specific set-asides for disadvantaged business enterprises or minority-owned businesses, though Ohio law permits discretionary set-asides and preferences for Ohio products under the Buy American Act provisions. Contractors and any subcontractors must submit an Affirmation and Disclosure Form certifying that all work will be performed within the United States and confirming principal business locations, service performance locations, and data storage locations, with prohibition against offshore services unless a written waiver is obtained from the State. All contractors must maintain workers' compensation insurance, commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 annual aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, and automobile liability insurance in accordance with state and federal law, and background checks (LEADS) will be conducted on contractor personnel prior to facility access. The contract is subject to appropriation of funds by the Ohio General Assembly and contingent upon discretionary approval for continuation beyond the current fiscal year, with the State reserving the right to terminate the contract with 30 days' written notice without cause or immediately if security and safety are compromised. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents, and no specific budget range or award value is disclosed, with pricing competitively evaluated among qualified bidders submitting responsive proposals by the February 18, 2026 deadline.