Experimental Asian Carp Fishing Gear

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), is soliciting proposals for experimental Asian carp fishing gear and methods testing. The procurement seeks multiple contracts with qualified Kentucky-licensed commercial fishermen to develop and evaluate innovative techniques for mass-harvesting Asian carp in Kentucky waters, particularly Kentucky and Barkley lakes. Testing must include at least one KDFWR staff member present during all test events, with vendors responsible for providing all necessary equipment, sampling gear, and staff to conduct testing. The KDFWR will schedule sampling locations, dates, and times, and no payments will be made to contractors during the evaluation process. Proposal evaluation criteria are pass/fail, assessing the description and expectations of test gear, vendor expertise, and schedule flexibility to accommodate KDFWR observers. The solicitation was released on November 27, 2019, with proposals due by November 27, 2020, at 3:30 PM EST, and vendors must submit proposals electronically via Secure File Transfer in three parts: Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, and Proprietary Information. The initial contract term is one year, with options for two additional one-year renewals upon mutual agreement.

The solicitation includes specific requirements for bidder qualifications, with provisions for resident bidder status and qualified bidder preferences under Kentucky law. Potential bidders must complete several affidavits, including an Annual Affidavit addressing campaign finance laws, tax registration, and compliance with state regulations. Two specific qualified bidder classifications are available: nonprofit corporations furthering purposes under KRS Chapter 163 and nonprofit agencies for individuals with severe disabilities. Vendors must provide documentation of their business ownership structure, FEIN number, and comply with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements and accessibility standards. While no specific contract value is listed, vendors are permitted to sell harvested Asian carp to buyers of their choice and are responsible for legal disposal of all harvested fish. The Commonwealth reserves the right to reject all proposals or require oral demonstrations to verify proposed solutions, with the Finance and Administration Cabinet maintaining sole authority to modify or award contracts resulting from this Request for Proposal.