Northern Pike frylings

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), is soliciting competitive bids for the procurement of 20,000 northern pike fingerlings measuring 2-3 inches in length for aquatic resource management and stocking purposes. The fingerlings must originate from lake-dwelling broodstock populations and be delivered alive and in good health to four designated Connecticut lakes: Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, and Pachaug Pond. Bidders must demonstrate extensive experience in interstate transport of large live fish loads and obtain all necessary state and federal permits for transportation. The specifications require comprehensive health certification documentation, including viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) testing and fish health inspection reports from a certified pathology laboratory submitted at least 10 days prior to departure, with fish verified to be free of lymphocystis, heterosporous, infectious pancreatic necrosis, furunculosis, and enteric redmouth. Transportation water must be free of dreissenid mussels and sourced exclusively from well-water, with vendor coordination required with DEEP Fisheries biologists Chris McDowell (860-707-2767) or Andrew Bade (860-490-0701) at least two weeks prior to loading and two hours before reaching the Connecticut border. The preferred delivery window is June 1-14, 2026, with weekend deliveries permitted and holiday deliveries prohibited; drivers must possess knowledge of pH, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature requirements for juvenile northern pike and experience in acclimation and handling procedures. Bids are due on April 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT, with inquiries directed to Chanel Macklin at DEEP, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, by telephone at 860-424-3317 or email at chanel.macklin@ct.gov, and no bidders' conference or site visit is scheduled.

The solicitation does not specify set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions on vendor types, indicating the procurement is open to all qualified vendors meeting the technical and logistical requirements. No incumbent contractors or current vendors are identified in the documentation, and there is no existing infrastructure or technology integration requirement outlined. The contract will be awarded on a Free On Board Destination basis to the responsive and responsible bidder demonstrating compliance with all specifications and DEEP's standard bid terms and conditions; dead or dying fish upon delivery will be counted and deducted from final payment. The solicitation does not disclose an estimated total contract value or budget range, leaving pricing determinations to vendor proposals and DEEP's evaluation of cost relative to quality, capability, and compliance with stringent biological and delivery standards.