Sunfish for Statewide Urban Fishing Program

Solicitation 27-422DNR-RESCO-B-54517 is an Invitation for Bid issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to establish a contract for the purchase and delivery of live hybrid sunfish for the Urban Fishing Program and various special events. The vendor is required to provide bluegill/green sunfish hybrids measuring between 4 and 6 inches, ensuring that no more than 20 percent of the fish fall outside this range. Deliveries must be made to Chicago Park Lagoons and across the Northeast, Northwest, Central, and Southern Illinois regions. Technical requirements include the use of a fish release chute at least 10 feet in length and tempering truck water to within 5 degrees Fahrenheit of the receiving waters. The contract will be awarded to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder based on line item pricing. Quality standards are strictly enforced, with a maximum acceptable mortality rate of 2 percent by weight; mortality exceeding 10 percent due to poor handling is considered a failure to perform. The vendor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including 1 million dollars per occurrence for general commercial and auto liability. Payments are governed by the State Prompt Payment Act, and the contract is contingent upon the availability of funds from the Illinois General Assembly or federal sources. Bidders must submit all responses through the BidBuy portal, including required vendor disclosures and certifications, by the specified deadline.