Striped Bass Tags

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids on production and shipping of striped bass tags for commercial harvesters, with bids due February 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (revised by Amendment Two issued February 12). Questions were due January 26, 2026. No pre-bid conference is scheduled.

The scope is manufacturing polypropylene tags with integrated metal clips measuring 11.0 to 11.5 inches long by 0.285 to 0.315 inches wide, marked with year, fishery area designation, "MD SB SALE," and unique sequential numbers. Tags must be bagged in quantities of 100 and shipped via traceable courier with signature or photographic delivery verification to commercial harvesters and DNR by December 15 each year. Historical volumes show approximately 451,200 tags required for 792 harvesters in 2025 and 464,900 tags for 808 harvesters in 2024. Annual tag color codes are selected by the Department each October and communicated to the awarded contractor. Bidders must demonstrate two years of experience producing and shipping polypropylene tags with integrated metal clips for fish traceability and provide two references with positive performance history.

The contract is for three years with indefinite quantity and fixed unit prices subject to annual adjustment capped at the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. Award will be made to the single responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest price based solely on total bid price; no multiple or alternate bids are permitted. No MBE or VSBE subcontracting goals apply. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of one million dollars combined single limit and workers' compensation insurance of one million dollars per occurrence. Contractors must remit a 1% electronic transaction fee on all contract sales within 30 days of each reporting period and submit usage reports every 120 days.