OHIO RIVER Asian Carp Removal Program

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is seeking qualified commercial fishermen to establish a master agreement for the Ohio River Asian Carp Removal Program, targeting Asian carp species in three Ohio River pools: Newburg, Cannelton, and McAlpine. Commercial fishermen must possess a valid commercial fishing license, boat registration, and have a minimum of three years of commercial fishing experience, including three years of Asian carp fishing. The primary deliverables include netting and removing silver, bighead, grass, and black carp, with a requirement to fish a minimum of two days per week when river and weather conditions permit. Successful applicants must use a minimum 22-foot plate aluminum Jon boat, possess 800 yards of trammel and gill nets, and have the capability to harvest between 2,000 and 12,000 pounds of Asian carp daily. The solicitation was released on May 30, 2019, with a bid closing date of June 13, 2019, at 1:30 PM ET. Vendors will be evaluated based on qualifications, past performance, and their ability to meet the specified requirements, with compensation set at a fixed rate of $1,000 per day of work.

The procurement includes specific set-aside provisions and bidder qualifications, with preferences given to Kentucky resident bidders and potential opportunities for nonprofit organizations meeting specific criteria under KRS Chapter 163 or qualified nonprofit agencies for individuals with severe disabilities. Bidders must submit several mandatory documents, including a Resident Bidder Affidavit, Annual Affidavit, and Qualified Bidder Affidavit, which verify compliance with state tax regulations, campaign finance laws, and organizational status. Out-of-state bidders must provide a Certificate of Authority from the Kentucky Secretary of State. The contract term is initially one year with options for four additional one-year renewals, subject to written approval and potential term renegotiation. While a specific total contract value is not explicitly stated, the program is funded through federal grant and state matching funds, with an estimated 600 total fishing days across multiple awarded contracts. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the Request for Bid if responses exceed available funding, and payments will be processed within 30 working days of receiving proper invoices.