Fertilizers for Ross-Cash Farm in Fredonia, KY

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of Kentucky Correctional Industries, issued a Request for Bid (RFB 758 1900000281) for the provision of fertilizers and fertilizer spreading services at Ross-Cash Farm in Fredonia, Kentucky. The procurement solicitation, posted October 23, 2018, encompasses eight line items: 200 tons of Urea-46% granulated fertilizer, 11 tons of mixed fertilizer (DAP 18-46-0), 24 tons of Potash-Muriate 60% potash, 300 pounds of Boron 14.3% active granular product, single spreading service across 1,500 acres, double spreading service across 450 acres, air flow spreading service across 450 acres, and 75 tons of agricultural lime soil additive. All deliveries must be made to the Correctional Industries Farm located at 374 New Bethel Church Road, Fredonia, Kentucky 42411. Vendor questions were due October 30, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with sealed bids required by November 7, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, submitted in person to the Office of Procurement Services at 702 Capitol Avenue, Capitol Annex Room 095, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. The contract will be awarded to a single vendor for all line items on a best value basis, with evaluation criteria allocating 90 points to price and 10 points to delivery capability. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award with an optional renewal for four additional one-year periods, subject to written approval and potential renegotiation of terms. Vendors failing to meet contracted delivery dates will face a one percent per day deduction from invoices.

The solicitation includes preferential scoring for certain entities, with Kentucky Correctional Industries qualifying for a 20 percent preference on maximum points awarded, while other qualified bidders such as Kentucky Industries for the Blind and certain nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities receive 15 percent preferences. All vendors must comply with affidavit requirements under Kentucky law, including the Annual Affidavit certifying compliance with campaign finance laws, tax obligations, and statutory requirements, and must submit the Kentucky Tax Registration Form 10A100 and EEO forms if applicable. Foreign entities must provide a certificate of authority from the Kentucky Secretary of State. Pricing must be quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis with the vendor responsible for all freight charges, excluding federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax. Price increases are prohibited during the first 12 months but may be requested thereafter with industry-wide justification and 30 days' notice. Past vendor performance within the last 12 months may be considered in award determinations, and vendors with poor performance records may be deemed non-responsible and ineligible for award. No incumbent contractor information, specific budget ranges, or award values were disclosed in the solicitation documents.