Salmon and Egg Harvesting and Buying Concessions RFP

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Salmon and Egg Harvesting and Buying Concessions, seeking a contractor to manage comprehensive salmon and egg harvest operations across six potential weir sites in Michigan. The project requires the selected vendor to provide all necessary labor, equipment, supplies, and supervision for harvesting salmon and surplus salmon eggs from five streams, with mandatory sites including Little Manistee, Upper Platte, and Swan River, and optional sites of Lower Platte, Boardman, and Medusa Creek. The contractor must operate a central processing facility of at least 500 square feet and be responsible for processing and marketing harvested salmon and eggs for various purposes including human consumption, bait, fertilizer, and pet food. Key qualifications include certified forklift operators, work crews, transportation vehicles, and ice supply. The RFP was posted on June 4, 2020, with proposals due by June 25, 2020, and an anticipated contract start date of August 1, 2020. The contractor will be required to make salmon available to Michigan fish markets, food banks, and charitable organizations while complying with all food processing and safety regulations.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The pricing structure is unique, with the contractor paying the state per pound for harvested salmon and eggs, while simultaneously receiving a fixed annual fee for harvest and processing services. Historical data indicates average annual harvest volumes of 211,743 pounds of salmon and 17,246 pounds of eggs over the past eight years. The contractor will be responsible for utility costs and 50% of landline telephone expenses at each weir site. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract appears to involve significant operational infrastructure, including multiple weir sites, a processing facility, and complex logistical requirements. Though specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documents, the comprehensive nature of the contract suggests a substantial annual investment by the state of Michigan in managing these salmon and egg harvesting operations.