Forestry Tree Seedling Bags

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Division of Forestry, is issuing a Request for Quotation (RFQ 758 2500000023) for the procurement of forestry tree seedling bags on behalf of Metcalfe County. The solicitation seeks quotations for 6,225 seedling bags across four distinct line items with varying specifications: 2,000 bags measuring 40.5" x 11" gusset x 25"; 2,000 bags measuring 36" x 11" gusset x 25"; 1,000 bags measuring 36" x 11" gusset x 40"; and 1,225 bags measuring 15" x 3" gusset x 35". All bags must be constructed with three-ply material consisting of 50-pound kraft paper with polyethylene as the inside ply, a center ply of 50-kilogram kraft coated with sealant, and an outside ply of 50-kilogram kraft coated with sealant in natural color, featuring bottom-sewn construction with gusset tape and one-color green printing. Deliverables must be completed and delivered by January 3, 2025, to Morgan County Nursery in West Liberty, Kentucky, with all delivery, artwork, and plate costs included in the unit price. Vendors' written questions are due by November 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET, and quotations must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky eProcurement system by November 27, 2024, at 1:30 PM ET. Award will be made on a best-value basis utilizing a ranking approach allocating 90 points to price (with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points and others scored proportionally) and 10 points to delivery performance (with points awarded only for delivery prior to the required January 3, 2025 date, and late deliveries subject to 1% daily invoice deductions). Prior to award, vendors must submit proof of Kentucky tax registration, certificate of authority if applicable, required affidavits including the Annual Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors and Contractors, and a Certificate of Insurance evidencing Commercial General Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with additional insured endorsement naming the Commonwealth.

Quotations must be submitted on a group-all basis with all line items quoted, and proposed pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date. Reciprocal preference will be applied to Kentucky resident bidders, and qualified bidder preferences will be extended to Kentucky Correctional Industries and Kentucky Industries for the Blind. Bidders claiming Resident Bidder status must affirm they are authorized to transact business in Kentucky and have maintained Kentucky corporate income tax filings, unemployment insurance fund payments, and workers' compensation policies for the year prior to contract advertisement. All quotations must be submitted as F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, and if the vendor provides delivery services, Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit is required. The solicitation documents do not specify an overall contract award value or budget range, though the deliverable quantity of 6,225 bags with unit pricing provided by vendors will determine the final award amount. Production runs are permitted to deviate within 2 percent over or under the ordered quantity, with zero deviation preferred, and the Kentucky Division of Forestry will provide the logo design to be incorporated into the bags.