Statewide Wildflowers Seeds and Services

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Purchases is requesting bids for statewide wildflower seeds and services across twelve highway maintenance districts, with bids due October 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Kentucky resident bidders qualify for reciprocal preference, and qualified nonprofits serving individuals with severe disabilities receive preference equal to fifteen percent of maximum points.

The scope encompasses sourcing and delivery of pollinator wildflower and native grass seeds (over 200 line items including native wildflowers, native grasses, annual wildflowers, non-native forbs and grasses, and cover crop/food plot seeds); site preparation and no-till seeding using specialized equipment (Truax grass seeders) across approximately 273 acres distributed across multiple counties and highway corridors; ongoing site maintenance; equipment mobilization; site monitoring; and native bee nesting boxes. Seeds must be Kentucky native species or local species-type, tagged in compliance with KRS 250 and 12 KAR 1, and priced per pound of pure live seed (PLS). Three standardized seed mixes are specified: the KYTC Hydro Slope & Ditch Mix, Standard Pollinator Mix, and Premier Pollinator Mix, each with precise botanical composition and seed-count requirements per acre. Vendors must submit guaranteed response times for service delivery; invoices incur 1% daily penalties for late completion.

The contract is effective upon award through October 31, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods at the Commonwealth's discretion. Pricing is the primary evaluation criterion at 95 of 100 points; response time constitutes 5 points. Prices must remain firm for the first twelve months, with subsequent increases requiring written justification based on industry-wide price changes. All shipments are F.O.B. Destination with freight prepaid. Vendors must provide a Certificate of Insurance with minimum Commercial General Liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1 million combined single limit if applicable, and Kentucky Workers Compensation Insurance. Bidders must register in the eProcurement system, submit all required affidavits (campaign finance compliance, resident status if claiming preference, contractor employee eligibility, and AI usage disclosures), and comply with OSHA safety regulations and prevailing wage requirements if applicable. Bids must include all line items or render the vendor ineligible for award.