KDFWR - Kentucky Deer Hunter Survey

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is procuring a personal service contract through a Request for Proposal (RFP 660 2600000269) to conduct a comprehensive survey of Kentucky deer hunters regarding their opinions on deer-related management issues. The procuring agency is the KDFWR, with the opportunity posted for Elliott County, Kentucky. The contractor will be responsible for designing, administering, analyzing, and presenting survey findings addressing hunter preferences on potential changes to bag limits, season length and timing, and additional hunting seasons. The survey must be statistically valid and designed to allow analysis at both the deer hunting zone level and the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance zone level. Key deliverables include survey administration commencing no later than March 15, 2026, and a comprehensive written report with key findings due by April 15, 2026, with the contractor potentially required to present results in person to the KDFWR Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting in spring or summer 2026. Written questions are due by February 4, 2026, and proposals are due by February 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST, with the anticipated contract term running from February 25, 2026, through June 30, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated on 800 total possible points: 400 points for technical merit (including timeline capability, survey design quality, methodology appropriateness, and reporting ability), 300 points for cost proposal, and 100 points for oral presentations if required. Cost proposals must include cost per completed survey response and total estimated project cost. The KDFWR has access to approximately 300,000 deer hunters annually and will generate randomized contact lists for the survey population, which will consist of individuals who held deer hunting privileges within the last five years.

Regarding eligibility and restrictions, Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders as defined in Kentucky Revised Statutes may receive preference in the selection process. All applicants must be registered with the Kentucky Secretary of State, comply with state procurement laws and nondiscrimination requirements, and complete required affidavits including campaign finance compliance attestations and resident or qualified bidder status affidavits, which must be notarized. Nonprofit organizations or qualified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities may qualify as qualified bidders if they meet specific statutory requirements, including being organized to serve individuals with severe disabilities and employing such individuals for at least seventy-five percent of direct labor hours on applicable projects. The RFP does not establish a fixed budget; instead, it seeks competitive proposals to identify the best overall value, with the KDFWR reserving the right to negotiate compensation, request best and final offers, and conduct clarification discussions with vendors. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) system, with vendors required to register in advance and allow sufficient time for submission. The Commonwealth will make payment within 30 working days of invoice receipt upon successful completion and acceptance of work, with the contract not effective until approved by the KDFWR Commissioner and filed with the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee.