TWRA BDSL Channel Catfish

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is seeking bids for a one-year contract with an optional renewal to purchase and deliver live "pure" channel catfish to Bill Dance Signature Lakes (BDSL) across Regions 1, 2, and 3. The procurement requires the delivery of a total of 26,800 pounds of catfish, with two scheduled stockings per year in April and October. Bidders must submit separate bids for each region, with award going to the lowest bidder per region. The catfish must be pure channel catfish, healthy, disease-free, and meet specific size requirements, with at least 50% of the fish produced by the contracted vendor. Key deliverables include live fish delivery with precise specifications for size, health, and species purity. The solicitation requires bidders to comply with specific delivery and inspection procedures. Critical dates include September 9, 2024, as the deadline for questions, and September 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM CST as the bid submission deadline.

The contract appears open to all qualified vendors, with no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses noted. However, bidders must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for sales and use tax and complete a diversity business participation form. The contract includes standard state terms and conditions, with a maximum contract period of 12 months and potential for one renewal, not exceeding 60 months total. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the procurement indicates the state will not guarantee a minimum purchase amount due to potential budgetary constraints. The state reserves the right to award a single contract or separate contracts for each line item, and will select responsive and responsible bidders who provide the best value. Contractors will be responsible for all delivery charges and will not be compensated for dead or diseased fish. The total estimated purchase value is not precisely defined in the available documentation.