KDFWR Fish Food for Fish Hatcheries

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) has issued Request for Bid (RFB) 660 2600000470 for fish food supplies to support its fish hatchery operations across Elliott County. The procurement seeks bids for eleven line items of aquaculture feed products, including Aquafeed Warm Water formulations (32% and 36% protein), Aquaxcel Fish Marine Starter products in multiple pellet sizes (0.3mm, 0.8mm, 1.5mm, and 2.2mm), Aquafeed 4512 (4.8mm pellet), and Minnow Meal, with all quantities estimated on an as-needed basis. The resulting contract will establish a master agreement for an initial one-year period with options for four additional one-year renewal periods and a potential 90-day extension, with pricing quoted F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed. Vendors must respond to all eleven line items or risk rejection as non-responsive, with bids due electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) system by March 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Written questions must be submitted by March 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., with KDFWR responses provided by March 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Awards will be made using a best value approach weighted at 90 points for price (with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points) and 10 points for delivery performance, requiring completion within 30 working days after order receipt; vendors delivering faster than the standard receive additional points, while failure to meet delivery dates results in a 1% daily invoice deduction. All pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days following the bid due date, with price increases prohibited during the first 12 months and thereafter permitted only with industry-wide justification and 30 days' notice.

Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference considerations under KRS 45A.490-494, and qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and nonprofits serving individuals with severe disabilities receive set-aside preference designations per 200 KAR 5:410. Vendors claiming resident bidder or qualified bidder status must submit notarized affidavits certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, authorization to conduct business in Kentucky, and maintenance of required tax filings and insurance for at least one year prior to the advertisement date. All bidders must demonstrate proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, along with valid Kentucky Tax Registration prior to contract award. No incumbent vendors or specific budget ranges are identified in the solicitation documents; however, the RFB indicates that all bids and contract terms are subject to negotiation and the procurement is competitive in nature. Submission is mandatory through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) electronic system, with paper bids explicitly not acceptable, and vendors must complete all required documentation and attachments, including the affidavit forms provided in Attachment B, prior to award.