Microscopes for Asian Carp Research

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources issued a Request for Bid (RFB 758 2100000580) for the procurement of three specialized microscopes to support Asian carp research. The solicitation requested one Leica S9i Stereomicroscope with integrated digital color camera and HD imaging capabilities (9:1 zoom, 6.1x-55x magnification), one Leica S7E Stereomicroscope with transmitted and incident light bases and LED light source (7:1 zoom, 6.1x-45x magnification), and one Leica S9i Stereomicroscope with supplementary equipment including eyepieces, focus columns, LED fiber optic light source, and a 25mm stage micrometer. All microscopes were required to be delivered to the KDFWR Western Fishery District in Murray, Kentucky by June 30, 2021. The solicitation was issued on April 14, 2021, with a vendors' written questions deadline of April 16, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET and a bid closing date of April 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM ET. Bidders were required to submit responses electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) eProcurement system, with all pricing quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, excluding federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax. The award was to be determined using a best value ranking approach with 90 points allocated to price and 10 points to delivery, with the lowest-priced bidder receiving maximum points. Bidders could propose alternate brands and specifications if accompanied by sufficient descriptive literature for equality verification; failure to provide such documentation could render the bid non-responsive.

Qualified bidders, including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and certain nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities, were eligible to receive preference equal to 15 or 20 percent of maximum points awarded. Kentucky resident bidders were eligible for reciprocal preference consideration. Vendors were required to submit the Revenue Form 10A100 (Kentucky Tax Registration Application), certificates of authority for foreign entities, required affidavits including annual compliance affidavits addressing campaign finance laws, tax compliance, and boycott prohibitions, and EEO forms if applicable prior to award. All proposed pricing was required to remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date. The solicitation documents do not identify any incumbent contractors, set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, or specific budget ranges; however, the Commonwealth reserved the right to cancel the RFB if responses exceeded available funding. Interested vendors could contact Debbie Mathews at 502-564-8649 for additional information regarding the procurement.