Live Feed: Rotifers

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB 802-25-59454) for Live Feed: Rotifers, specifically Brachionus plicatilis L-type, to be delivered to two facilities: the Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi and Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. The procurement requires 7 separate shipments of 150 million rotifers, totaling 1.05 billion rotifers for each facility, with precise specifications including a size range of 200-235 micrometers and salinity tolerance of 5-40 Parts Per Thousand (ppt). Bids are due by February 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, with an initial contract term running through February 28, 2027, and two optional one-year renewal periods available. The procurement mandates overnight delivery on an as-needed basis, with one week's advance notice required for scheduling deliveries. Evaluation criteria will include lowest price, ability/qualifications, delivery schedule, and past performance, with the contract to be awarded on an all-or-none basis. Contractors must provide F.O.B. destination pricing that includes all shipping, handling, fuel surcharges, and delivery fees, and must warranty live delivery with the ability to replace any major losses within 2-3 days of notification.

The IFB includes a section for claiming HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) and other preferences, though no specific set-asides are mandated, suggesting the procurement is open to a wide range of vendors. While the exact contract value is not explicitly stated, it would be determined by the unit price per million rotifers multiplied by the total quantity required for both facilities. The procurement appears to be focused on obtaining high-quality live feed for marine research and aquaculture purposes, with strict requirements for rotifer viability and delivery. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the documentation, and there are no explicit restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond to the solicitation. The contract seems designed to establish a reliable supply chain for live rotifers, with an emphasis on vendor performance, delivery reliability, and product quality. Potential bidders should carefully review the full IFB documentation to ensure compliance with all specifications and requirements.