Fisheries chemicals

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking a vendor to provide a comprehensive catalog of laboratory and technical-grade chemicals for the Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center through a five-year contract. The procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation, specifically targeting a vendor capable of supplying essential fisheries chemicals including sodium hydroxide pellets, citric acid, calcium carbonate, sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate, potassium hydroxide, and other specialized chemical compounds. Vendors must demonstrate the ability to deliver standard orders within seven business days and emergency orders within 48 hours, with responsive delivery directly to the fisheries center located at 2726 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, SC. Proposal submissions are due by December 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST, with questions required to be submitted by November 18, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST. The evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with pricing to be submitted as a fixed percentage markup over the vendor's current chemical product catalog prices. Vendors must provide comprehensive product catalogs, maintain sufficient inventory, and offer ordering through multiple channels including phone, email, and web-based systems.

The contract opportunity is open to vendors with a state vendor number, with specific procurement code preferences available for resident vendors, resident contractors, and SC/US end-product providers. Bidders must carry commercial general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and comply with worker's compensation insurance requirements. The estimated total contract value is approximately $80,000 over the five-year period, with an anticipated annual spend of around $16,000, based on historical purchasing data showing previous chemical expenditures of $17,209.78 in the last 12 months. The contract will be structured with an initial one-year term and four automatic annual renewal options, with price adjustments prohibited during the first contract year and potential adjustments allowed with 90 days' written notice in subsequent years. Successful vendors must provide Safety Data Sheets and Certificates of Analysis as requested, ensure all materials are new, and be prepared to support a broad range of chemical products beyond the minimum specified list. The award is expected to be announced on December 5, 2025, with the contract effective from December 6, 2025, through December 5, 2030.