Specialized Tags

The State of Maine Department of Marine Resources is requesting quotations for specialized lobster trap and fyke net identification tags, with quotes due October 4, 2012. The scope requires the vendor to manufacture in excess of 3 million tags annually plus 15,000 to 40,000 replacement tags, 12,000 noncommercial tags, 400 demonstration tags, and 700 elver tags, with all tags requiring sequential numbering and color specifications to be announced by the Department.

Tags must be high-density polyethylene, flexible and durable for saltwater and Maine weather exposure for a minimum of one year, measuring 6 to 7 inches in length and 3/8 to 1/2 inch in width. Each tag must feature a locking mechanism preventing removal without destruction and bear imprinted year designation, serial numbers (001–800), harvester license numbers (up to 6 digits with possible 2-letter suffix), fishing zone information, and additional identifiers as specified. Tags must be easily attachable while wearing gloves on a moving vessel.

The vendor must ship tags within 15 business days of receiving electronic daily orders from the Department and assumes full responsibility for delivery, replacement of lost or faulty tags, and return of undeliverable shipments at the vendor's expense. The vendor must establish a CSV data exchange system with the Department's IT personnel and provide daily shipping reports including harvester names, license numbers, shipping dates, quantities, and tracking numbers. Invoicing must reference batch dates with corresponding tag quantities shipped per batch.

The contract period runs from November 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013. Pricing shall remain firm throughout the contract duration on an F.O.B. Destination basis. A 1% discount applies if invoices are paid within 20 days. Either party may terminate with 60 days' written notice, or the State may cancel immediately for non-compliance. The Director of Purchases may extend the contract beyond the expiration date with contractor consent if deemed in the State's best interest. Questions must be submitted through the online Question and Answer portal.