Seals-Tags

The State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, Licensing Division, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 202602028) for the procurement of approximately five million seals and tags annually to support Maine's fisheries and enforcement activities. The primary deliverable consists of lobster seals/tags (approximately 2.5 million units annually) for over 7,000 licensed lobster harvesters, supplemented by additional tag types including noncommercial, elver, halibut, auction, crate, buying station, and zip tie seals/tags. All seals/tags must be manufactured from high-density polyethylene with specifications including sequential numbering, laser imprinting, and color requirements as determined by the Department; they must be flexible, durable, capable of surviving in saltwater and Maine weather conditions for a minimum of one year, and equipped with secure locking mechanisms. Qualified bidders must demonstrate the ability to process and ship seals/tags within 15 business days of receiving orders (10 business days for rush orders), provide daily tracking information to both the Department and harvesters via email, and replace any seals/tags lost in transit or found to be faulty at no additional cost to the Department. The evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale comprising Organization Qualifications and Experience (35 points), Proposed Services (40 points), and Cost Proposal (25 points), with the lowest cost proposal receiving maximum points and higher bids scored proportionately lower. Questions must be submitted by June 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time, with proposals due June 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time via the Vendor Self Service System. The initial contract period runs from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028, with two optional one-year renewal periods extending through October 31, 2030.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or limitations on organization types eligible to respond. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The cost proposal must present pricing as a fixed amount covering the initial contract period and all renewal periods, with unit prices submitted separately for standard seals/tags and zip tie seals/tags, invoiced based on batch dates and order quantities. The Department anticipates making one award resulting from this RFP process and reserves the right to negotiate with the awarded bidder as well as to reject any or all proposals. Payment terms are anticipated at net 30 days upon receipt of accurate invoices referencing the State contract number and batch dates. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents.