Forestry Tree Seedling Bags

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Division of Forestry, issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2100000183 to procure forestry tree seedling bags through a Master Agreement. The procurement solicitation, released October 8, 2020, required vendor written questions by October 15, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. ET and bid submissions by October 22, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. ET through the Kentucky eProcurement system. The specification consists of six line items totaling 12,000 bags across three distinct sizes: 2,000 bags each of 15x3x35 inch bags (two line items for separate delivery locations), 2,000 bags each of 36x11x40 inch bags (two line items for separate delivery locations), and 2,000 bags each of 36x11x25 inch bags (two line items for separate delivery locations). All bags must feature three-ply construction with an inside ply of 50-pound waterproof kraft with 10-pound polyethylene, a center ply of 50-pound kraft coated white stock, and an outside ply of 50-pound kraft coated white stock (with an allowable substitution of 50-pound kraft for the outer ply per Addendum 2). Bags must include bottom-sewn construction, gusset tape over sewing with natural-colored tape, and one-color green printing (GCMI-20) with logo artwork as specified in Attachment D. Delivery is required by November 15, 2020, to either John P. Rhody Nursery in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, or Morgan County Nursery in West Liberty, Kentucky, with three line items destined for each location. The award was determined using a best value ranking approach with evaluation criteria weighted at 90 points for price (lowest bidder receives maximum points), 10 points for delivery (expedited delivery receives points; one percent per day deductions apply for late deliveries), and 10 points for years of experience (maximum 50 years for evaluation purposes), totaling 110 possible points. All quotations must be F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, exclusive of federal excise taxes and state sales taxes, with pricing to include delivery to specified nursery locations. Vendors must bid all line items; multiple bids or alternate models are not permitted. Production runs must be within 2 percent over or under the ordered quantity, with preference for minimal variance. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award, with an option to extend for four additional one-year renewal periods subject to written approval by all parties and potential renegotiation of terms.

Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference equal to preferences offered by nonresident bidders' home states, and qualified bidders receive additional designations: Kentucky Correctional Industries receives a 20 percent preference, and qualified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities receive a 15 percent preference. All vendors must complete the Annual Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors and Contractors, certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, sales tax registration requirements, state tax obligations, and boycott prohibitions. Nonresident bidders must provide a certificate of authority to transact business in Kentucky. The previous contract awarded in 2014 was held by Portco Packaging at $33,182.50 with 30 years of experience and 45-day delivery timeframe, providing a historical reference point for evaluation. The bid price must accommodate quantities between 2,000 and 5,000 bags per line item, with price increases prohibited during the initial 12-month contract period; thereafter, increases may be requested only with written justification based on industry-wide price changes and require 30 days' notice. No specific total award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents; however, the estimate of 12,000 bags at the historical bid rate of approximately $2.77 per bag suggests a potential award value in the range of $30,000 to $35,000 for the initial 12-month period, though actual award values may vary based on submitted bids. Contact for procurement questions was Evelyn Osborne at 502-564-0552, with billing directed to Stephanie Benassi, Division of Forestry, 300 Sower Boulevard, 4th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.