KDFWR - Soybean Meal for Fish Hatcheries (REBID)

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB) to establish a Master Agreement for the procurement of soybean meal with 44-48% protein content delivered in 50-pound paper bags for use at two fish hatcheries: Minor Clark Fish Hatchery in Morehead, Kentucky and Peter W. Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Deliveries are required from March through September annually, with vendors required to deliver within 14 working days after receipt of order during normal receiving hours (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET), including unloading and moving materials to the storage facility. The initial contract term begins March 1, 2025, for one year with four optional one-year renewal periods and a possible 90-day extension thereafter. All bids must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) system by February 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, with vendors required to register in the system at least 24-48 hours prior to closing. The solicitation employs a best-value evaluation approach allocating 90 points to price and 10 points to delivery performance, with the bidder offering the lowest price receiving maximum points and other bids scored proportionally. Vendors must specify delivery time in working days using clear, definitive language; vague terms such as "as required" or "prompt" will render bids non-responsive. A one percent daily deduction applies for each day delivery deadlines are missed, and replacement of damaged or spoiled products must be delivered within four business days of discovery.

Qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities may receive preference points, while Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference. Vendors must provide proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit if performing delivery services. All pricing must be quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, exclusive of federal excise tax and state sales or use tax, with price increases prohibited during the first 12 months; after that period, increases may be requested with written justification based on industry-wide price changes and require 30 days' notice. All required affidavits, tax registrations, and certificates must be submitted with the bid or prior to award. The specific budget allocation and award value have not been disclosed in the solicitation documents, though the KDFWR reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if responses exceed available funding.