Premium Fish Food for IDNR Fish Hatcheries

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking a premium fish food procurement for the Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery located in Topeka, Illinois, through a small purchase with sole source conditions. The contract requires the production of extruded pelleted fish food designed for multiple fish species, including Coho Salmon (300,000), Chinook Salmon (200,000), Steelhead Trout (75,000), Largemouth Bass (150,000), Smallmouth Bass (100,000), Muskie (50,000), Northern Pike (30,000), and Striped Bass Hybrids (25,000). The food must be packaged in 40 to 50-pound bags and guaranteed for nutritional content for at least twelve months when stored properly. Two primary food types are required: starter fish food in various crumble sizes (Mash, #0, #1, #2) and fry fish food in sizes ranging from 1.2mm to 3.0mm. Specific nutritional requirements include minimum protein and fat percentages, vitamin levels, and additional ingredients like enhanced vitamin packs, natural pigments, beta-glucans, and nucleotides to promote fish health. The procurement is posted on September 3, 2025, with proposals due by September 17, 2025, and delivery will be to the Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery at 25410 North Fish Hatchery Road in Topeka, IL, with Paul Brown serving as the contact.

The contract appears to be open to standard vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must complete comprehensive standard certifications outlined in the State of Illinois Chief Procurement Office documentation, which includes 33 specific certification areas covering business eligibility, criminal history, tax compliance, workplace practices, labor standards, and anti-discrimination policies. Vendors will need to provide proof of general commercial liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, auto liability coverage, and worker's compensation insurance, with the state named as an additional insured party. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the detailed nutritional specifications and multiple fish species requirements suggest a specialized and potentially significant procurement. Compliance with these standard terms and conditions is mandatory, with potential consequences for non-compliance including contract voiding, suspension, debarment, denial of payment, civil fines, and criminal penalties. Vendors must also be prepared to apply these standards to their subcontractors and provide ongoing certification, with annual updates required for contracts exceeding one year.