KDFWR - Asian Carp Removal Program

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 1900000577 on March 29, 2019, to procure commercial fishing services for the Asian Carp Removal Program targeting the Ohio River's McAlpine, Cannelton, and Newburg pool locations. This procurement seeks to establish up to three master agreement contracts for commercial fishing operations with an estimated duration of approximately 600 total fishing days contingent upon available funding. Bidders must operate a minimum 22-foot aluminum jon boat with a 50-horsepower motor, maintain valid commercial fishing licenses, possess at least 800 yards of trammel and gill nets with specified webbing sizes, and fish at least four days weekly when conditions permit. Contractors will be compensated at a fixed rate of $750 per day with weekly payments based on days worked, and must harvest between 2,000 and 12,000 pounds of Asian carp daily while maintaining detailed catch records and coordinating with state-employed observers. The evaluation will be conducted on a best value basis utilizing 1,300 possible points distributed across cost per day (600 points), general freshwater commercial fishing experience (400 points), Asian carp commercial fishing experience (200 points), equipment qualification (pass/fail), and good standing with KDFWR or other state agencies (100 points). Written questions were due by April 7, 2019, at 4:30 PM EST, with sealed bid responses required by April 16, 2019, at 1:30 PM EST at the Finance Office of Procurement Services, Capitol Annex Room 095, Frankfort, Kentucky; all pricing must remain valid for a minimum of sixty calendar days following the bid due date.

The procurement incorporates Kentucky reciprocal preference provisions for resident bidders and preferences for qualified bidders, with the Resident Bidder Affidavit requiring demonstration of continuous Kentucky business operations for at least one year prior to the contract advertisement date, including filing Kentucky income taxes and maintaining active workers' compensation policies. Additionally, qualified bidder status may be claimed by qualified nonprofit agencies operating in the interest of individuals with severe disabilities, provided such organizations employ individuals with severe disabilities for at least seventy-five percent of direct labor man hours. All bidders and their subcontractors must execute a Qualified Bidder Affidavit and an Annual Affidavit certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws under KRS 45A.110 and KRS 45A.115, proper disclosure requirements, registration with the Kentucky Department of Revenue for sales and use tax collection, and adherence to trade policies outlined in Executive Order No. 2018-905. Bidders must also provide valid commercial fishing licenses, boat registration, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet identification permits, insurance cards, and federal transportation tags for commercial hauling. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award with four optional one-year renewal periods available subject to written approval by all parties. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation documents, and the total estimated contract value is not explicitly stated; however, based on the estimated 600 total fishing days across all three contractors at $750 per day, the aggregate contract value is anticipated to approach $450,000.