FAC122 RFQ-Cat 1-Native Local Ecotype Seeds-Wbro Hdqrs-Wildlife Section-Ben Mazzei

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, specifically the Connecticut Valley Wildlife District located in Belchertown, is seeking a procurement of native local ecotype seeds for habitat restoration through Request for Quote (RFQ) FAC122 Cat 1. The solicitation requires vendors to supply specific quantities of native grass seeds, including 1200 pounds of Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), 100 pounds of Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge Pea), 300 pounds of Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass), 300 pounds of Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem), and 300 pounds of Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass). Seeds must be sourced exclusively from regional ecotypes, primarily from New York and Pennsylvania locations, with direct delivery to Benjamin Mazzei at the wildlife district office. The RFQ provides direct links to product specifications from Ernst Seeds and mandates strict regional sourcing requirements. The procurement is specifically targeted for Hampshire County, with a posted date of March 24, 2025, and a response deadline of April 7, 2025. Interested vendors can contact Benjamin Mazzei, Habitat Biologist, at ben.mazzei@mass.gov or (413) 768-9090 for additional information or clarification.

The RFQ does not explicitly indicate set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or specify restrictions on responding organizations. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the documentation. The solicitation appears focused on habitat restoration and conservation objectives, emphasizing the use of native, locally adapted seed varieties specific to the northeastern United States. While the document does not provide specific budget ranges or award values, the total seed quantity represents a significant ecological restoration project. The procurement appears designed to support wildlife habitat enhancement through precisely sourced native grass seeds. Integration requirements seem minimal, with the primary focus on seed quality, regional origin, and precise delivery to the specified wildlife district office. Vendors will need to demonstrate their capability to source seeds from the specified regional ecotypes and meet the exact quantitative and qualitative requirements outlined in the RFQ.