CONTRACT: Grass Seed, Lime & Fertilizer

The New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, Division of Procurement and Support Services, is soliciting bids for the supply and delivery of grass seed, lime, and fertilizer products to state agencies and eligible participants through Request for Bid (RFB) 3115-26. The procurement encompasses 42 specific product line items with estimated annual usage quantities ranging from 3 to 7,450 pounds, including various grass seed mixtures, lime products, fertilizers, and specialty blends, with vendors permitted to propose additional balance-of-product-line items beyond those specified. The successful vendor must meet stringent performance guarantees including 95 percent on-time delivery, 90 percent fill rate, and error rates not exceeding two missed picks per 1,000 cases, with failure to meet these metrics resulting in a 2 percent rebate of total orders for the affected period. Required qualifications include establishment of individual state agency accounts within three business days of order placement, accomplishment of delivery within five business days, provision of a web-based ordering system with inventory control capabilities, and maintenance of comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. All pricing must be firm for one year from the contract anniversary date and must include delivery costs, materials, labor, and applicable charges on an F.O.B. Destination basis with no additional surcharges permitted. Questions are due by March 2, 2026, with state responses provided by March 4, 2026, and the bid closing occurs at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on March 11, 2026.

The contract will be awarded to the lowest-cost qualified bidder and will commence on July 1, 2026, or upon Governor and Executive Council approval, whichever is later, continuing through June 30, 2031 (five years), with an option for up to two additional years under the same terms and pricing upon mutual agreement. Political subdivisions and nonprofit organizations under Section 501(c) of the federal tax code are eligible to participate at contract prices, expanding the potential user base beyond state agencies. The vendor must submit quarterly and annual usage reports including sustainability and environmental certifications, ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the contract term. Price adjustments are permitted on the anniversary date with 30 days' written notice and substantiation, subject to state approval, providing flexibility while maintaining cost control. No minimum order quantities are specified, allowing for scalable purchasing based on actual agency needs. The procurement documents do not identify incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specific budget ranges, requiring prospective bidders to develop competitive pricing strategies based on the estimated annual usage quantities provided for each product line item.