Mulch for Finance Facilities Rebid x2

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Department for Facilities and Support Services, Office of Building and Mechanical Services, is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB) for the procurement of mulch products to establish a Master Agreement. The solicitation encompasses six line items totaling 7,725 units across multiple product categories: 600 bales of pine straw, 65 bags of pine bark fines/soil conditioner, 4,800 bags of pine bark mulch with small particles, 130 bags of pine bark mulch with medium particles, 1,800 bags of western red-cedar bark mulch, and 130 bags of natural hardwood mulch. All products must meet specific composition, particle size, and quality standards, with packaging primarily in 2 or 3 cubic foot bags. Vendors must have a minimum of five years of nursery business experience to be considered responsive. The RFB was posted on April 28, 2026, with written vendor questions due by May 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, and bids due on May 6, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern Time via mandatory electronic submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system. Award determination will utilize a best value methodology allocating 80 points for price, 10 points for delivery time, and 10 points for years of experience. The resulting contract will be awarded for an initial one-year period beginning upon award and expiring March 31, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods at the Commonwealth's discretion. Delivery must occur within a specified number of calendar days following receipt of delivery order, with one percent daily penalties assessed to invoices for late deliveries. Pricing must be submitted on an FOB Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, exclusive of federal excise taxes and Kentucky sales or use taxes, and must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date with no price increases permitted during the first 12 months of the contract.

Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference equal to the preference given by the bidder's state of residence, while qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries and nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities receive additional preference points. All vendors must register in the Commonwealth's Vendor Self Service System prior to submission and provide comprehensive documentation including proof of Commercial General Liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence, a Kentucky Tax Registration Application if applicable, required affidavits, and delivery and experience documentation. No specific incumbent vendors or budget ranges are identified in the solicitation materials. The RFB does not reference existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements specific to the mulch procurement.