RFB 120623 Hay Harvest Simon Kenton WMA, Mason Co. DFWR

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (DFWR), is soliciting sealed bids for hay harvesting services at Simon Kenton Wildlife Management Area located in Mason County. This Request for Bid (RFB 120623) seeks a qualified contractor to perform cutting, baling, and removing hay from approximately 150 acres of designated hay fields over a contract period commencing upon execution by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, with an initial one-year term and four optional renewal periods for a maximum five-year engagement. In addition to hay harvest and removal operations permitted annually from July 1 through October 1, the contractor must lime all 150 acres at least once during the contract period at a rate of 3 tons per acre and sow a clover mix consisting of 1 pound per acre of ladino clover and 3 pounds per acre of medium red clover between February 15 and March 1, preferably using the frost seeding method. All hay must be removed from the premises by October 1 each year or a $5.00 per bale removal fee will be assessed. The successful bidder will be selected solely on bid amount (100% evaluation weight) with a minimum annual lump sum bid of $1,000 per year for all hay harvested, and a $100 bid deposit is required. Sealed bids must be submitted in person by December 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time; online bidding is prohibited. The contractor must obtain and maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit with $2,000,000 aggregate naming the Commonwealth as additional insured, fire and extended coverage insurance on all structures and contents, and is responsible for maintaining all roads and bridges used during operations, repairing any damage caused by harvesting activities, fire prevention, and full compliance with all state and federal environmental and safety laws.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to specific entity types, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses are specified in the solicitation documents. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is referenced in the available materials. The solicitation does not identify any existing infrastructure, technology systems, or specialized equipment that requires integration with the contractor's operations beyond the standard hay harvesting and land management services described. The bid deposit of $100 and minimum annual lump sum bid of $1,000 represent the only stated financial parameters; no maximum budget, award value ceiling, or total contract value is disclosed in the available documentation. Questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Maurita Whelan at 502-782-5699. Billing and administrative inquiries related to the contract should be directed to the Finance Division of Real Properties at The Bush Building, 403 Wapping Street, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2607. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the license with thirty days' notice, suspend operations due to adverse weather conditions, and terminate the agreement for default with thirty days' written notice to cure.