RFP Self Sustaining Fish Feed

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	311119 - Other Animal Food Manufacturing
Posted Date:	Apr 21, 2026
Due Date:	May 22, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Department of Buildings and General Services

Office of Purchasing & Contracting

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

Agency of Administration

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

SELF SUSTAINING FISH FEED

April 22, 2026

April 30, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)

May 22, 2026 - 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

AND

https://vtbuys.suppliers.vermont.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2fpage.aspx%2fen%2fbuy%2f

homepage

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SOLICITATION.

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL:

Stefanie Malmstein, State Commodity Procurement Administrator

SOV.ThePathForward@vermont.gov

Revised February 13, 2026

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Office of Purchasing &

Contracting (hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies for SELF

SUSTAINING FISH FEED.

1.1.1.ADDITIONAL PURCHASERS: In the Certificate of Compliance attached to this solicitation bidders are

required to indicate whether political subdivisions and independent colleges of the State may participate

in the awarded contract at the same prices, terms and conditions.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any contract(s) arising from this solicitation will be for a period of two-year period

with an option to renew for up to three additional twelve-month periods. The State anticipates the start date

for such contract(s) will be as soon as practicable.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this solicitation are to be addressed in

writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this solicitation. Actual or attempted contact with any

other individual from the State concerning this solicitation is strictly prohibited and may result in

disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation or

wishing to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no later

than the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions may be e-mailed to

the point of contact on the front page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or

before the last day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of

all questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/bids. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All

information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide confidential

information, except as described in 5.1 below.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS SOLICITATION: Any modifications to this solicitation will be made in writing by the

State through the issuance of an Addendum to this solicitation and posted online at

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

1.6. CONTRACT QUANTITY: Any quantities stated in the detailed requirements of this solicitation are estimates

only based on prior usage, and are annual quantities, unless otherwise stated. Actual purchases may be

higher or lower depending on the State’s needs.

1.7. SOURCE OF FUNDS: Socioeconomic affirmative steps under 2 C.F.R. § 200.321 If using applicable federal

funds Socioeconomic affirmative steps under 2 C.F.R. § 200.321 affirmative steps must include at least the

following six steps:

1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on solicitation

lists;

2. Assuring that small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises are solicited

whenever they are potential sources;

3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit

maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by

small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business

Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce;

and

6. Requiring the prime/general contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the same affirmative

steps as listed in numbers 1 through 5.

Revised February 13, 2026

This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies. If a bidder requires assistance in

preparing their proposal or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications, the bidder may contact the VT

APEX Accelerator. The APEX Accelerator specializes in helping small businesses navigate the

documentation associated with State and Federal procurement. Their website is: http://apex.vermont.gov

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS:

2.1. Bid Prices – Prices (per pound) will remain firm for the initial duration of the contract.

2.2. Quantities & Value – The contract will cover the actual quantities ordered for delivery during the contract

period. VFWD reserves the right to use multiple suppliers in order to fulfill hatchery specific requirements

should that need arise.

2.3. Packaging – All products are to be provided in water resistant bags or units weighing less than 60 lbs. on

pallets in accordance with prevailing commercial practice in such a manner as to insure delivery in good

condition. Each bag or unit shall be marked with the manufacturer’s name, type of commodity, size, quantity

contained, guaranteed analysis of ingredients and the date manufactured. Each pallet shall be marked with

its contents, including feed type, size, and requesting hatchery/facility. Pallets shall also be separated by

hatchery/facility as pallet amounts dictate. Standard pallets will be used for delivery of feed for all facilities..

When loading for delivery, the Contractor shall take all precautionary measures to avoid movement or shifting

of pallets and feed during transport, providing shrink rapping for the pallets and 10 bag stacks. The Contractor

will be responsible for any damaged bags that arrive at the facility.

2.4. Ordering Procedure – Delivery Orders will be made on an as-needed basis by each individual facility, in

accordance with its specific operational, logistical, and production requirements. The Contractor shall fulfill

such orders as requested to ensure timely and efficient supply.. All orders for the five VFWD facilities will be

placed by a designated staff member of the Fish Culture Section. Upon confirmation, the orders will be

shipped to the following locations:

Bald Hill Fish Culture Station

60 Abbott Hill Rd

Newark, VT 05871

Bennington Fish Culture Station (802) 447-2844

110 Hatchery Road

Bennington, VT 05201

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station (802) 372-3171

14 Bell Hill Road

Grand Isle, VT 05458

Roxbury Fish Culture Station

3696 Roxbury Rd

Roxbury, VT 05669

Salisbury Fish Culture Station (802) 352-4371

646 Lake Dunmore Road

Salisbury, VT 05769

2.5. Shipping and Receiving – Bid prices shall include all shipping and handling cost to the following facilities:

Bennington Fish Culture Station

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station

Bald Hill Fish Culture Station

Salisbury Fish Culture Station

Roxbury Fish Culture Station

All deliveries of fish feed must be made within (2) weeks of ordering and deliveries are to be prearranged

between the Contractor and VFWD. The Contractor must notify the receiving facility at least 24 hours prior to

delivery. Shipments are to be unloaded between the hours of 8 am to 2 pm, Tuesday through Thursday. Any

Revised February 13, 2026

delivery made at other times will not be unloaded unless specifically prearranged with the receiving facility. It

is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that their selected feed shipping agents are informed of and

adhere to the terms and conditions of this contract. To ensure the prevention of the transmission of fish or

aquatic pathogens it is a requirement that no other fish, shellfish, crustacean or other aquatic organism or

byproduct of the above be shipped with the fish feed designated for VFWD facilities. VFWD will be notified of

any modifications of order delivery such as product delivery, shipping weight restrictions etc. If any feed size

replacements or substitutions are made, the receiving facility supervisor is to be informed so that confirmation

can be made as to whether to accept or reject the substitution prior to loading and shipment.

2.6. PRODUCT COMPONENTS: The Contractor must provide a nutritionally complete diet with appropriate pellet

and/or crumble sizes (0-12mm) to satisfy the growth and development needs of salmonids through fry,

fingerling, yearling, and broodstock life stages and walleyes through the fingerling stage. Contractor must also

include options suitable for recirculating aquaculture systems and low phosphorous needs, with formulations

designed to promote water quality and system efficiency. All pelleted fish feed is to be extruded. A certified

manufacturing designation (e.g., ISO 9001) and proven experience with diets for trout, salmon and walleye

are preferred.

The feed label must list all ingredients printed legibly using the official Association of American Feed Control

Officials (AAFCO)-defined ingredient name or common or usual name of the ingredient. The first five

ingredients must be listed in decreasing order of percentage of diet. Fishmeal should be the first ingredient.

No type of chicken-by-product should be listed in the first five ingredients.

Diets must contain greater amounts of omega-3 (1.5%>) than omega-6 fatty acids. The diet must contain

linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosatetraenoic acid. Diets must contain products that use

polyunsaturated fatty acids obtained from whole fishmeal meeting the IFFO standards rather than plant oil

sources. Dietary oils must remain soluble at ambient winter hatchery water temperatures and cannot form

lipid plaques on raceway walls, clog screens, or foul wastewater treatment equipment.

The Contractor will provide VFWD with a statement regarding the availability of floating, slow sinking, and low

phosphorus salmonid diets, as well as larval diets suitable for walleye.

The Contractor will provide VFWD with assurance that fishmeal is obtained from a source that abides by the

Global Standard for Responsible Supply as developed by the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil

Organization (IFFO). Herring fishmeal is preferred. The Contractor must disclose the percentage of plant

protein sources being used in the formulation of the diets. Diets greater 3.0mm must be available with 40 - 60

PPM astaxanthin or 75 PPM canthaxanthin.

The Contractor should use

• only fishmeal with crude protein >68%

• only fishmeal with histamine level <1200 PPM

• fishmeal with pepsin solubility >92%

The Contractor will provide the most updated feed analysis sheet for each feed type and size contracted for,

listing the percentages of the ingredients incorporated in the formulated diet. Information to include %protein,

%fat, %fiber, %ash, %moisture, %carbohydrate, %phosphorous, as well as any vitamins, minerals, or

additional additives the types and levels. Diets must contain sufficient antioxidants to prevent degradation of

lipids and vitamins during shelf life. If feed ingredient levels or percentages change during the contract

period, VFWD will be notified and an updated analysis sheet will be provided.

Starter diets for trout and salmon must use all fish meal fish oil diets, added beta glucans, nucleotides and

natural astaxanthin (panaford) to provide additional nutritional support during early rearing.

Broodstock diets for trout and salmon must be available in slow sinking and mixed sinking/floating formulas in

sizes 4.0mm – 12.0mm. Broodstock diets are preferred to be high in fish meal and fish oil with astaxanthin

formulations of 60 ppm - 75 ppm.

2.7. PRODUCT PERFORMANCE: The Contractor will provide sufficient information to VFWD that the trout,

salmon and walleye diets are designed to give the lowest cost of production (feed cost/pounds of fish

produced) by delivering excellent growth rates and low feed conversion rates (goal 1:1 FCR) in salmonid

hatcheries located in latitudes >45 N. Coldwater temperatures (ground water = 42-49 F; surface water ranges

32 – 75 F) affect the solubility and digestibility of fish diets.

Revised February 13, 2026

The Contractor will provide an amino acid profile for the separate feed products that match the requirements

for trout and salmon to ensure that the maximum amount of dietary protein is used for muscle growth, and the

least possible amount is converted to body fat or excreted as nitrogenous waste in hatchery effluent water.

Diets that prove to be unpalatable, deliver unacceptable growth rates (based on three-year average growth

rates for that species and location using other diets), result in low feed conversions, or abnormally decrease

water quality (total solids, pH, ammonia levels, or phosphorus levels) will not be used and may result in

termination of contract.

2.8. PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE: The Contractor will provide Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

(HACCP) documentation (e.g., product temperature, moisture, microbial count, etc.) for products

manufactured under this contract. Product quality assurance will include traceability of fishmeal and fish oil

from the feed compounder back to the producer, all transporters, and any storage facility. Fishmeal must not

contain contaminants, impurities, pathogenic organisms, natural toxins (e.g., nitrosamine, histamine,

cadaverine, putrescine) or mycotoxins. The Contractor will provide written verification that fishmeal and fish

oils are not impure or contaminated. Contaminant concentrations are to be less than maximum levels

expressed by the European Union. VFWD reserves the right to refuse any feed (or be credited) that arrives

with a manufacture date of more than 45 days from delivery date.

2.9. PRODUCT SUPPORT: The Contractor will provide information regarding available product support including

availability and qualifications of local feed representatives, company web-based support, fish diet feeding

training, availability of medicated feeds (FDA-1900 certification), product technical information, and fish

nutrition training printed materials, videos, webinars, etc.

3. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. Bid Prices – Prices (per pound) will remain firm for the initial duration of the contract.

3.2. Quantities & Value – The contract will cover the actual quantities ordered for delivery during the contract

period. VFWD reserves the right to use multiple suppliers in order to fulfill hatchery specific requirements

should that need arise.

3.3. Packaging – All products are to be provided in water resistant bags or units weighing less than 60 lbs. on

pallets in accordance with prevailing commercial practice in such a manner as to insure delivery in good

condition. Each bag or unit shall be marked with the manufacturer’s name, type of commodity, size,

quantity contained, guaranteed analysis of ingredients and the date manufactured. Each pallet shall be

marked with its contents, including feed type, size, and requesting hatchery/facility. Pallets shall also be

separated by hatchery/facility as pallet amounts dictate. Standard pallets will be used for delivery of feed

for Ed Weed FCS and Bald Hill FCS. Feed delivery for Bennington FCS, Salisbury FCS and Roxbury FCS

shall be on plastic or wood pallets measuring approximately 15" wide by 24" long for use with a "Craft"

brand hand truck or equivalent, stacked no more than 10 bags per pallet. When loading for delivery, the

Contractor shall take all precautionary measures to avoid movement or shifting of pallets and feed during

transport, providing shrink rapping for the pallets and 10 bag stacks. The Contractor will be responsible for

any damaged bags that arrive at the facility.

3.4. Ordering Procedure – Delivery Orders will be made on a quarterly basis. All orders for the five VFWD

facilities will be placed by a designated staff member of the Fish Culture Section. Upon confirmation, the

orders will be shipped to the following locations:

Bennington Fish Culture Station (802) 447-2844

110 Hatchery Road

Bennington, VT 05201

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station (802) 372-3171

14 Bell Hill Road

Grand Isle, VT 05458

Salisbury Fish Culture Station (802) 352-4371

646 Lake Dunmore Road

Salisbury, VT 05769

3.5. Shipping and Receiving – Bid prices shall include all shipping and handling cost to the following facilities:

Revised February 13, 2026

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP Self Sustaining Fish Feed	04/30/2026 04:30PM		05/22/2026 04:30PM

RFP Self Sustaining Fish Feed

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