KCI Crop Harvesting and Hauling

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, specifically the Department of Corrections' Division of Correctional Industries (KCI), is seeking a qualified vendor for crop harvesting and hauling services at the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex in Fredonia, Kentucky. This Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2600000054 solicits comprehensive agricultural services covering approximately 400 acres of corn and 850 acres of soybeans, with an estimated total crop yield between 135,000 and 150,000 bushels. The successful contractor must provide all necessary equipment, including a combine harvester, tractor, grain cart, and commercial driver's license (CDL) drivers for crop transportation. Vendors are required to have a minimum of five years of experience in crop harvesting, which will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. The bid will be awarded using a Best Value - Ranking Approach, with 100 total points allocated entirely to pricing, meaning the lowest-priced bidder will receive the maximum points. Key deadlines include August 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET for written questions, and the bid closing date of August 20, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET. The initial contract period will be one year, with the option to extend for four additional one-year periods.

Bidders must be registered in the Commonwealth eProcurement System and submit electronic bids through the specified online platform. The procurement includes specific affidavit requirements outlined in Kentucky Revised Statutes, where vendors must certify compliance with campaign finance laws, be authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth, and maintain appropriate insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate Commercial General Liability Insurance. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the solicitation provides opportunities for resident and qualified bidders to claim status through provided affidavit forms. Approximately 6,000 bushels of corn will be loaded into KCI grain bins for cow feeding, with the remaining crops transported by semi-trucks and trailers provided by the contractor. The contractor will be responsible for all expenses associated with crop hauling, including diesel fuel, and must transport harvested crops to the Lyon Co. Port in Eddyville, KY. The Commonwealth reserves the right to extend the contract use to other state agencies, though specific budget ranges or award values are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation.