FARMERS’ MARKET AT MULTIPLE STATE PARKS

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is soliciting proposals under solicitation number DEEP-2027-002-MM to operate seasonal farmers markets at multiple state parks, including Sherwood Island, Fort Trumbull, and Harkness Memorial. The scope of work encompasses market planning, vendor recruitment, staffing, and on-site management, with a strong emphasis on the Connecticut Grown program and coordination with the Department of Agriculture. Proposers must provide a detailed staffing plan, a commodity list prioritizing local products, and a market structure declaration. The contract is estimated between 27,000 and 54,000 dollars based on minimum annual rent requirements over a potential three to six year term. Award decisions will be based on a weighted trade-off process, with qualifications accounting for 40 percent and service expectations, such as operating schedules and annual rent, accounting for 30 percent. Proposals must be submitted electronically via CTSource and are strictly limited to 25 total pages. Contractors are required to maintain comprehensive insurance, including general liability and automobile liability of 1 million dollars, and must adhere to state nondiscrimination and Iran energy investment certifications. Additionally, prime contractors must ensure that 25 percent of the contract value is subcontracted to small businesses, with specific allocations for minority and women business enterprises.