18DPP00187 RFP~4.docx

Bid Solicitation/Request for Proposal

Distribution & Support Services (DSS)

Vendor’s {Bidder’s} Electronic Question Due Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.1 for more information.)

Mandatory/Optional Pre-Quote {Proposal} Conference (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.5 for more information.)

Mandatory/Optional Site Visit (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.4 for more information.)

N/A

N/A

Quote {Proposal} Submission Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.2 for more information.)

Dates are subject to change. All times contained in the Bid Solicitation {RFP} refer to Eastern Time. All changes will be reflected in Bid Amendments {Addenda} to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} posted on the Division of Purchase and Property website and on www.njstart.gov.

Small Business Set-Aside Status ☒ Not Applicable

☐ Entire Blanket P.O. {Contract}

☐ Partial Blanket P.O. {Contract}

☐ Subcontracting Only Category

☐ I ☐ IV

☐ II ☐ V

☐ III ☐ VI

Bid Solicitation {RFP} Issued By Using Agency/Agencies

Division of Purchase and Property Trenton, New Jersey 086250230

Date: 11/08/17

Table of Contents

INFORMATION FOR VENDORS {BIDDERS}

NOTICE: This Bid Solicitation {Request for Proposal (RFP)} is part of the NJSTART Procurement Program. The Vendor {Bidder} is advised to thoroughly read all sections, as many have been revised, and follow all instructions contained in this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, including the instructions on the Bid Solicitation’s {RFP’s} Offer and Acceptance Page {Signatory Page} and read through all Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page (http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/njstart/vendor.shtml), before preparing and submitting its Quote {Proposal}.

NJSTART terminology is used in this document; legacy term appears in braces; thus: NJSTART term {legacy term}.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

This Bid Solicitation {RFP} is issued by the Procurement Bureau, Division of Purchase and Property (Division), Department of the Treasury on behalf of the Department of the Treasury, Distribution and Support Services (DSS). The purpose of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is to solicit Quotes {Proposals} for various frozen vegetables which will be made available and delivered by the Vendor {Contractor} to DSS.

The intent of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is to award Master Blanket Purchase Orders (Blanket P.O.s) {Contracts} to those responsible Vendors {Bidders} whose Quotes {Proposals}, conforming to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} are most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. The State may award any and all price lines. The State, however, reserves the right to separately procure individual requirements that are the subject of the Blanket P.O. {Contract} during the Blanket P.O. {Contract} term, when deemed by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property (Director) to be in the State’s best interest.

It is the State’s intent to make multiple awards, one award for each individual price line item, in accordance with Sections 6.6 of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

The State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC) accompanying this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will apply to all Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} made with the State of New Jersey. These terms are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and should be read in conjunction with them unless the Bid Solicitation {RFP} specifically indicates otherwise.

The State of New Jersey (State) does not intend to extend the Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} awarded to the Division's Cooperative Purchasing Program participants.

BACKGROUND

This is a reprocurement of the product/services under Foods: Vegetables, Frozen – DSS, presently due to expire on February 12, 2018. Vendors {Bidders} interested in the current Blanket P.O. {Contract} specifications and pricing information may review the current Blanket P.O. {Contract} T#1103 at www.njstart.gov by following these steps:

Go to: www.njstart.gov Select “Contract & Bid Search” Select “Contracts/Blankets” Under “Contract/Blanket Description” type in T#1103, Click “Find It” The current Blanket P.O’s {Contracts} will appear under “Results”.

Vendors {Bidders} are cautioned that this new Bid Solicitation {RFP} addresses current requirements.

Key Events

ELECTRONIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

The Division will electronically accept questions and inquiries from all potential Vendors {Bidders} via the “Q&A” Tab of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART.

A. Questions should be directly tied to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and asked in consecutive order, from beginning to end, following the organization of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}; and

B. Each question should begin by referencing the Bid Solicitation {RFP} page number and section number to which it relates.

Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not contact the Using Agency and/or the Procurement Specialist directly, in person, by telephone or by e-mail, concerning this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, prior to the final award of the Blanket P.O. {Contract}.

The cut-off date for electronic questions and inquiries relating to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is indicated on the Bid Solicitation {RFP} cover sheet. In the event that questions are posed by Vendors {Bidders}, answers to such questions will be issued by Bid Amendment {Addendum}. Any Bid Amendment {Addendum} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will become part of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}. Bid Amendments {Addenda} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, if any, will be posted as a File Attachment on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART after the cut-off date. (See Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.4.1 for further information.)

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE OF NJ STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (SSTC)

Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC) and exceptions to mandatory requirements must be posed during this Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested changes.

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES {PROPOSALS}

In order to be considered for award, the Quote {Proposal} must be received by the Procurement Bureau of the Division at the appropriate location by the required time. Vendors {Bidders} shall submit a Quote {Proposal} either electronically through NJSTART or via hard copy.

QUOTES {PROPOSALS} NOT RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE REJECTED. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING IS INDICATED ON THE BID SOLICITATION {RFP} COVER SHEET AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

IF THE QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING DEADLINE HAS BEEN REVISED, THE NEW QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE SHOWN ON THE POSTED BID AMENDMENT {ADDENDUM} AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

Procedural inquiries concerning the use of NJSTART may be directed to njstart@treas.nj.gov and/or (609) 341-3500.

The State will not respond to substantive questions related to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} or any other Blanket P.O. {Contract} via this e-mail address or phone number. For inquiries related to substantive questions refer to Section 1.3.1 (Electronic Question and Answer Period).

VENDOR {BIDDER} SUPPORT

Vendors {Bidders} are strongly encouraged to visit the NJSTART Vendor Support Page, which contains Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), supporting videos, a glossary of NJSTART terms, and helpdesk contact information.

The Vendor {Bidder} should utilize the QRGs before attempting to submit its Quote {Proposal} using the NJSTART process. It is the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} responsibility to ensure that the NJSTART Quote {Proposal} and attachments have been properly submitted.

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL SITE VISIT

Not applicable to this procurement.

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL PRE-QUOTE {PROPOSAL} CONFERENCE

Not applicable to this procurement.

PRE-QUOTE {PROPOSAL} DOCUMENT REVIEW

Not applicable to this procurement.

ADDITIONAL Information

BID AMENDMENTS {ADDENDA}: Revisions to this BID SOLICITATION {RFP}

In the event that it becomes necessary to clarify or revise this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, such clarification or revision will be by Bid Amendment {Addendum}. Any Bid Amendment {Addendum} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will become part of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

There are no designated dates for release of Bid Amendments {Addenda}. Those Vendors {Bidders} who are on the bidholder list either through commodity code registration in NJSTART or by acknowledging the bid in NJSTART should receive notification of any Bid Amendment(s) {Addenda}. If a Vendor {Bidder} is not on the bidholder list to receive notifications related to a Bid Solicitation {RFP}, Bid Amendments {Addenda} are still viewable on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART.

BID AMENDMENTS {ADDENDA} WILL BE ISSUED AS FILE ATTACHMENTS, AND ARE VIEWABLE ON THE “SUMMARY” PAGE OF THE BID SOLICITATION {RFP} IN NJSTART. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instructions. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all Bid Amendments {Addenda} related to this procurement. An interested Vendor {Bidder} should check the NJSTART “Open Bids” Tab on a daily basis to ensure review of the most updated information.

VENDOR {BIDDER} Responsibility

The Vendor {Bidder} assumes sole responsibility for the complete effort required in submitting a Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}. No special consideration will be given after Quotes {Proposals} are opened because of a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} failure to be knowledgeable as to all of the requirements of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

COST Liability

The State assumes no responsibility and bears no liability for costs incurred by a Vendor {Bidder} in the preparation and submittal of a Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

CONTENTS of QUOTE {Proposal}

Quotes {Proposals} can be released to the public pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-1.2(b) and (c), or under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 et seq., or the common law right to know.

After the opening of sealed Quotes {Proposals}, including Quotes {Proposals} submitted through the NJSTART electronic process, all information submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} in response to a Bid Solicitation {RFP} is considered public information notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary submitted by a Vendor {Bidder}. Proprietary and confidential information may be exempt from public disclosure by OPRA and/or the common law. When the Bid Solicitation {RFP} contains a negotiation component, the Quote {Proposal} will not be subject to public disclosure until a notice of intent to award a Blanket P.O. {Contract} is announced.

As part of its Quote {Proposal}, a Vendor {Bidder} may designate any data or materials it asserts are exempt from public disclosure under OPRA and/or the common law, explaining the basis for such assertion. The location in the Quote {Proposal} of any such designation should be clearly stated in a cover letter.

The State reserves the right to make the determination as to what is proprietary or confidential, and will advise the Vendor {Bidder} accordingly. Any proprietary and/or confidential information in a Quote {Proposal} will be redacted by the State. The State will not honor any attempt by a Vendor {Bidder} to designate its entire Quote {Proposal} and/or prices as proprietary, confidential and/or to claim copyright protection for its entire Quote {Proposal}. Copyright law does not prohibit access to a record which is otherwise available under OPRA. In the event of any challenge to the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} assertion of confidentiality with which the State does not concur, the Vendor {Bidder} shall be solely responsible for defending its designation, but in doing so, all costs and expenses associated therewith shall be the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder}. The State assumes no such responsibility or liability.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not designate any price lists and/or catalogs submitted as exempt from public disclosure as the same must be accessible to State Using Agencies and Cooperative Purchasing Program participants (if the Bid Solicitation {RFP} has been extended to these participants) and thus must be made public to allow all eligible purchasing entities access to the pricing information.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUOTE {PROPOSAL} INFORMATION

On the date and time Quotes {Proposals} are due under the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, all information concerning the Quotes {Proposals} submitted may be publicly announced and shall be available for inspection and copying except as noted below:

A. Information appropriately designated as proprietary and/or confidential shall not be available for inspection and copying; and B. Where negotiation is contemplated, only the names and addresses of the Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} will be announced, and the contents of the Quotes {Proposals} shall not be available for inspection and copying until the Notice of Intent to Award is issued by the Director.

PRICE Alteration In QUOTES {Proposals}

Any price changes including hand written revisions or "white-outs" must be initialed. Failure to initial price changes shall preclude a Blanket P.O. {Contract} award from being made to the Vendor {Bidder}.

QUOTE {Proposal} ERRORS

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.11 “Proposal errors,” a Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote {Proposal} as described below.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING

NJSTART: A Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote {Proposal} submission in NJSTART prior to the Quote {Proposal} opening; however, Vendors {Bidders} should note that while withdrawn NJSTART Quotes {Proposals} remain viewable by the Vendor {Bidder} on its Vendor Profile Homepage, they are removed from the Division’s view and cannot be considered for Blanket P.O. {Contract} award. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote {Proposal} as long as the Quote {Proposal} is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote {Proposal} submission. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

Hard Copy: A Vendor {Bidder} may request that its hard copy Quote {Proposal} be withdrawn prior to the Quote {Proposal} opening. Such request must be made, in writing, to the Supervisor of the Proposal Review Unit at the address provided in Section 1.4.7.2 below. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote {Proposal} as long as the Quote {Proposal} is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote {Proposal} submission and at the place specified.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} WITHDRAWAL AFTER QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING, BUT PRIOR TO BLANKET P.O. {CONTRACT} AWARD

NJSTART and Hard Copy: If, after the Quote {Proposal} opening, but before Blanket P.O. {Contract} award, a Vendor {Bidder} discovers an error in its Quote {Proposal}, the Vendor {Bidder} may make a written request to the Supervisor of the Proposal Review Unit to withdraw its Quote {Proposal}, or a portion thereof, from consideration for award. If the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} request to withdraw is made in good faith, and the State will not be significantly prejudiced by granting the withdrawal of the Quote {Proposal} beyond the loss of the benefit of the bargain to the State of the withdrawing Vendor’s {Bidder’s} offer, the request shall be granted. Evidence of the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} good faith in making this request can be demonstrated by one (1) or more of the following factors: A mistake is so significant that to enforce the Blanket P.O. {Contract} resulting from the Quote {Proposal} would be unconscionable; that the mistake relates to a material feature or term of the Blanket P.O. {Contract}; and that the mistake occurred notwithstanding the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} exercise of reasonable care. After Quote {Proposal} opening, while pursuant to the provisions of this section a Vendor {Bidder} may request to withdraw its Quote {Proposal} and the Director may in her discretion allow said Vendor {Bidder} to withdraw it, the Division also may take notice of repeated or unusual requests to withdraw by a Vendor {Bidder} and take those prior requests to withdraw into consideration when evaluating the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} future Quotes {Proposals}.

All Quote {Proposal} withdrawal requests must include the Bid Solicitation {RFP} identification number and the final Quote {Proposal} submission date and be sent to the following address:

Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property PO Box 230 33 West State Street – 9th Floor Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0039 Attention: Supervisor, Proposal Review Unit

If during a Quote {Proposal} evaluation process, an obvious pricing error made by a potential Blanket P.O. {Contract} awardee is found, the Director or her designee shall issue written notice to the Vendor {Bidder}. The Vendor {Bidder} will have up to five (5) business days after receipt of the notice to confirm its pricing. If the Vendor {Bidder} fails to respond, its Quote {Proposal} shall be considered withdrawn, and no further consideration shall be given to it.

JOINT Venture

If a Joint Venture is submitting a Quote {Proposal}, the agreement between the parties relating to such Joint Venture should be submitted with the Joint Venture’s Quote {Proposal}. Authorized signatories from each party comprising the Joint Venture must sign the Offer and Acceptance Page {Signatory Page}. Each party to the Joint Venture must individually comply with all the forms and certification requirements in Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Reciprocity for Jurisdictional Vendor {Bidder} Preference

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:32-1.4 and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.13, the State of New Jersey will invoke reciprocal action against an out-of-State Vendor {Bidder} whose state or locality maintains a preference practice for its in-state Vendors {Bidders}. The State of New Jersey will use the annual surveys compiled by the Council of State Governments, National Association of State Procurement Officials, or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing or a State’s statutes and regulations to identify States having preference laws, regulations, or practices and to invoke reciprocal actions. The State of New Jersey may obtain additional information as it deems appropriate to supplement the stated survey information.

A Vendor {Bidder} may submit information related to preference practices enacted for a State or Local entity outside the State of New Jersey. This information may be submitted in writing as part of the Quote {Proposal} response, including name of the locality having the preference practice, as well as identification of the county and state, and should include a copy of the appropriate documentation, i.e., resolution, regulation, law, notice to Vendor {Bidder}, etc. It is the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to provide documentation with the Quote {Proposal} or submit it to the Director within five (5) business days after the deadline for Quote {Proposal} submission. Written evidence for a specific procurement that is not provided to the Director within five (5) business days of the public Quote {Proposal} submission date may not be considered in the evaluation of that procurement, but may be retained and considered in the evaluation of subsequent procurements.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} ACCEPTANCES AND REJECTIONS

N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.7(d), the Director’s right to waive minor irregularities or omissions in a Quote {Proposal} and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2 which defines causes for Quote {Proposal} rejection, apply to all Quotes {Proposals}.

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} through NJSTART may sign the forms listed in Section 4.4.1 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required with Quote {Proposal}) and Section 4.4.2 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required Before Blanket P.O. {Contract} Award and That Should Be Submitted with the Quote {Proposal}) of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} electronically by typing the name of the authorized signatory in the “Signature” block as an alternative to downloading, physically signing the form, scanning the form, and uploading the form to NJSTART.

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} in hard copy format, must provide forms with original, physical signatures, otherwise its Quote {Proposal} may be deemed non-responsive.

1.4.12 PRICE List and/or catalog pricing

Not applicable to this procurement.

DEFINITIONS

CROSSWALK

General Definitions

The following definitions will be part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded or order placed as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

NJSTART terminology is used in this document; legacy term appears in braces; thus: NJSTART term {legacy term}.

All-Inclusive Hourly Rate – An hourly rate comprised of all direct and indirect costs including, but not limited to: labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, travel expenses, per diem, safety equipment, materials, supplies, managerial support and all documents, forms, and reproductions thereof. This rate also includes portal-to-portal expenses as well as per diem expenses such as food.

Best and Final Offer or BAFO – Pricing timely submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} upon invitation by the Bureau after Quote {Proposal} opening, with or without prior discussion or negotiation.

Bid or Bid Solicitation {RFP or Solicitation} – This series of documents, which establish the bidding and Blanket P.O. {Contract} requirements and solicits Quotes {Proposals} to meet the needs of the Using Agencies as identified herein, and includes the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), price schedule, attachments, and Bid Amendments {Addenda}.

Bid Amendment {Addendum} – Written clarification or revision to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} issued by the Bureau. Bid Amendments {Addenda}, if any, will be issued prior to Quote {Proposal} opening.

Business Day - Any weekday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Calendar Day – Any day, including Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Change Order {Contract Amendment} – An alteration or modification of the terms of a Blanket P.O. {Contract} between the State and the Vendor(s) {Contractor(s)}. A Change Order {Contract Amendment} is not effective until it is signed and approved in writing by the Director or Deputy Director, Division of Purchase and Property.

Cooperative Purchasing Program – The Division’s intrastate program that provides procurement-related assistance to New Jersey local governmental entities and boards of education, State and county colleges and other public entities having statutory authority to utilize select State Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} issued by the Division, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:25-16.1 et seq.

Days After Receipt of Order (ARO) - The number of calendar days ‘After Receipt of Order’ in which the Using Agency will receive the ordered materials and/or services.

Director – Director, Division of Purchase and Property, Department of the Treasury, who by statutory authority is the Chief Contracting Officer for the State of New Jersey.

Discount - The price reduction applied by the Vendor {Bidder} to all items.

Division – The Division of Purchase and Property.

Evaluation Committee – A committee established or Division staff member assigned by the Director to review and evaluate Quotes {Proposals} submitted in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and recommend a Blanket P.O. {Contract} award to the Director.

Firm Fixed Price – A price that is all-inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs.

Joint Venture – A business undertaking by two (2) or more entities to share risk and responsibility for a specific project.

Master Blanket Purchase Order (Blanket P.O.) {Contract} – The Blanket P.O. {Contract} consists of the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, the responsive Quote {Proposal} submitted by a responsible Vendor {Bidder} as accepted by the State, the notice of award, any Best and Final Offer, any subsequent written document memorializing the agreement, any modifications to any of these documents approved by the State and any attachments, Bid Amendment {Addenda} or other supporting documents, or post-award documents including Change Orders {Contract Amendments} agreed to by the State and the Vendor {Contractor}, in writing.

May – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Must – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

No Bid – The Vendor {Bidder} is not submitting a price Quote {Proposal} for an item on a price line.

No Charge – The Vendor {Bidder} will supply an item on a price line free of charge.

Primary Form – An electronic form contained within a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} NJSTART profile designated by the Vendor {Bidder} as the primary or principal version of the required form.

Procurement Bureau - The Division unit responsible for the preparation, advertisement, and issuance of Bid Solicitations {RFPs}, for the tabulation of Quotes {Proposals} and for recommending award(s) of Blanket P.O.(s) {Contract(s)} to the Director and the Deputy Director.

Project – The undertakings or services that are the subject of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

QRGs – Quick Reference Guides.

Quote {Proposal} – Vendor’s {Bidder’s} timely response to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} including, but not limited to, technical Quote {Proposal}, price Quote {Proposal}, and any licenses, forms, certifications, or other documentation required by the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Retainage - The amount withheld from the Vendor {Contractor} payment that is retained and subsequently released upon satisfactory completion of performance milestones by the Vendor {Contractor}.

Revision – A response to a BAFO request or a requested clarification of the Vendors {Bidders} Quote {Proposal}.

Shall– Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

Should – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Small Business – Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:13-1.2, “small business” means a business that meets the requirements and definitions of “small business” and has applied for and been approved by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Small Business Registration and M/WBE Certification Services Unit as (i) independently owned and operated, (ii) incorporated or registered in and has its principal place of business in the State of New Jersey; (iii) has 100 or fewer full-time employees; and has gross revenues falling in one (1) of the three (3) following categories: For goods and services - (A) 0 to $500,000 (Category I); (B) $500,001 to $5,000,000 (Category II); and (C) $5,000,001 to $12,000,000, or the applicable federal revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201, whichever is higher (Category III). For construction services: (A) 0 to $3,000,000 (Category IV); (B) gross revenues that do not exceed 50 percent of the applicable annual revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201 (Category V); and (C) gross revenues that do not exceed the applicable annual revenue standards established at CFR 121.201, (Category VI).

State – State of New Jersey.

State Contract Manager or SCM – The individual, as set forth in Section 8.0, responsible for the approval of all deliverables, i.e., tasks, sub-tasks or other work elements in the Scope of Work. The SCM cannot direct or approve a Change Order {Contract Amendment}.

Subtasks – Detailed activities that comprise the actual performance of a task.

Subcontractor – An entity having an arrangement with a Vendor {Contractor}, whereby the Vendor {Contractor} uses the products and/or services of that entity to fulfill some of its obligations under its State Blanket P.O. {Contract}, while retaining full responsibility for the performance of all [the Vendor’s {Contractor's}] obligations under the Blanket P.O. {Contract}, including payment to the Subcontractor. The Subcontractor has no legal relationship with the State, only with the Vendor {Contractor}.

Task – A discrete unit of work to be performed.

Unit Cost – All-inclusive, firm fixed price charged by the Vendor {Bidder} for a single unit identified on a price line.

Using Agency[ies] – A State department or agency, a quasi-State governmental entity, or a Cooperative Purchasing Program participant, authorized to purchase products and/or services under a Blanket P.O. {Contract} procured by the Division. This Blanket P.O. {Contract} may be used by the Using Agencies or quasi-governmental agencies specifically identified in the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. In addition, with the approval of the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property and the agreement of the Vendor {Contractor}, the Blanket P.O. {Contract} may be used by any Using Agency or quasi-State governmental entity.

Vendor {Bidder} – An entity offering a Quote {Proposal} in response to the Division’s Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Vendor {Contractor} – The Vendor {Bidder} awarded a Blanket P.O. {Contract} resulting from this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

BLANKET P.O. {contract}-specific definitions/ACRONYMS

Certificate of Conformance – a document provided by Vendor {Contractor} that certifies that product meets all USDA grading requirements in lieu of having an official USDA Certificate.

CID – Commercial Item Descriptions are product descriptions that concisely describe the most important characteristics of a commercial product. CIDs are official U.S. Government procurement documents.

Pre-Consumer Material - materials generated in manufacturing and converting processes, such as manufacturing scrap and trimmings/cuttings.

Post-Consumer Material - material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer item. Post-consumer materials are part of the broader category of recovered materials.

Producer Price Index (PPI) - A family of indexes compiled by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI index of commonly produced items, at various stages of processing, that fluctuates and measures price changes from the perspective of the seller. The PPI homepage is available at http://www.bls.gov/ppi. Please refer to Section 5.2.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for the utilization of PPI during the term of the Blanket P.O, including any extensions thereof.

Recovered Material - Waste material and byproduct that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but does not include materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.

Materials in Solid Waste - Material found in the various components of the solid waste stream. General, solid waste has several components, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition debris (C&D), and nonhazardous industrial waste. Under RCRA Section 6002, EPA considers materials recovered from any component of the solid waste stream when designating items containing recovered materials.

Recycling - The series of activities, including collection, separation, and processing, by which products or other materials are recovered from the solid waste stream for use in the form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products other than fuel for producing heat or power by combustion.

Recyclability - The ability of a product or material to be recovered from, or otherwise diverted from, the solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling.

RMAN - Recovered Materials Advisory Notices provide purchasing guidance and recommendations for recovered and post-consumer material content levels for designated items.

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture - www.usda.gov. Federal certification/standards for food safety, sanitary conditions, nutrition and research for agricultural technology.

USEPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency

SCOPE OF WORK

The sections listed below provide information and requirements necessary for a Vendor {Contractor} to successfully service a Blanket P.O. {Contract} as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}. It will be the responsibility of the Vendor {Contractor} to comply with all terms and conditions outlined within this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

product Specifications

The below chart illustrates and describes all items included within this Bid Solicitation {RFP} along with required USDA, technical, and packaging specifications.

USDA Grade B Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Peas.

Packed 12 - 2.5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade B Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Whole Kernel (Grain) Corn.

Packed 12 - 2.5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping requied. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Hash Brown Potatoes - Style (a): shredded and formed into cylindrical puff shape before freezing.

Packed 6 - 5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Carrots - Style (d): sliced, to have diameter no greater than 2", with maximum thickness of approx. 3/4".

Packed 12 - 2 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Green Beans & Frozen Wax Beans - Type (a): round, Style (b): cut, with length no greater than 2 3/4", but not less than 3/4", Pack (a): regular process.

Packed 12 - 2.5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Equivalent to USDA Grade B, Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Strawberries - Style (b): sliced, sugar ratio = 4 + 1.

USDA certification not required, however, a Certificate of Conformance is required upon delivery (refer to Section 3.2). Packed in 30 lb plastic pails without handles.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Leafy Greens - Type (b): Collards, Style (b): chopped.

Packed 12 - 3 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Leafy Greens - Type (g): Spinach, Style (b): chopped.

Packed 12 - 3 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Equivalent to USDA Grade A, Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Squash - Style (a): sliced.

USDA certification not required, however, a Certificate of Conformance is required upon delivery (refer to Section 3.2).

Packed 12 - 3 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Packed 12 - 2 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required.

Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen French Fried Potatoes - Type (2): Institutional, Style (2): crinkle cut with 1/2" x 1/2" cross-section, Length (2): long.

Packed 6 - 5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade A Certification & case roll stamping required.

Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Broccoli - Style (d): chopped.

Packed 12 - 2.5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

consisting of green or wax beans, lima beans, carrots, corn, and peas.

USDA Grade B Certification for all five items & case roll stamping required. Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Mixed Vegetables and Fed. CID #A-A-20294A - Blend IV: 5 way mix, Vegetable 2 or 5: green or wax beans, Designation b: cut, Vegetable 3: lima beans, Designation a: thin-seeded, Vegetable 8: Carrot, Designation i: cut, Vegetable 11: corn, Designation c: whole-kernel, golden or white, Vegetable 19: peas.

Packed 12 - 2.5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Equivalent to USDA Grade A, Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes - Style (b): diced approx. 1/2 x 1/2 cubes.

USDA certification not required, however, a Certificate of Conformance is required upon delivery (refer to Section 3.2).

Packed 6 - 5 lbs bags/ctns per case.

USDA Grade B Certification & case roll stamping required.

Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Broccoli - Style (b): florets.

Packed 12 - 2 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Equivalent to USDA Grade A, Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Green and Wax Beans - Pack (a): regular process, Type (b): Italian style.

USDA certification not required, however, a Certificate of Conformance is required upon delivery (refer to Section 3.2). Packed 12 - 2 lbs bags/ctns per case.

Equivalent to USDA Grade B, Must meet U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Cauliflower - Style (a): clusters.

USDA certification not required, however, a Certificate of Conformance is required upon delivery (refer to Section 3.2).

Packed 12 - 2 lbs bags/ctns per case.

usda CERTIFICATIONs/requirements

The following items included within this Bid Solicitation {RFP} require USDA Inspection, Grading, Certification and Official Case Roll Stamping. These items must be USDA inspected, tested and certified prior to delivery to Distribution and Support Services (DSS). United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification is a service provided to any company that requires grading and certification. This is accomplished by the Vendor {Contractor} scheduling with the USDA to evaluate, inspect, grade and certify product prior to making delivery to DSS. When complete, the USDA will issue a Certificate of Compliance along with each case being roll stamped with the USDA Shield of Approval. This certificate verifies that the product meets the USDA Grading requirements of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and is provided with each and every delivery to DSS. Specific grading standards are specified below and in Section 3.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and the line item description column located on the Price Sheets.

Official USDA roll stamping on each case is required for all shipments that require a USDA grading certificate. All costs of inspection and certification must be paid by the Vendor {Contractor}.

Detailed information for each item that requires USDA Grades and Standards can be found at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/vegetables.

Detailed information for each item that also requires Commercial Item Description (CID) compliance can be found at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cids

The following items do not require USDA certification, however, these items must be equivalent to USDA Grades and Standards as stated below, as specified in Section 3.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and the line item description column located on the Price Sheets by providing a Certificate of Conformance with each delivery which certifies that product meets all USDA grading requirements in lieu of having an official USDA Certificate.

The State reserves the right to test any and all contracted items to ensure that these items meet the Blanket P.O. {Contract} requirements. If the contracted item fails to meet Blanket P.O. {Contract} requirements, these items shall be rejected and must be replaced in accordance with Section 3.10.

nutritional data sheets and manufacturer’s technical specifications

Upon request, the Vendor {Contractor} must furnish nutritional data sheets and/or manufacturer’s technical specifications of awarded items to DSS anytime throughout the term of the Blanket P.O. {Contract} and any extensions thereof. Failure to do so may result in a formal complaint being filed for nonconformance. The Vendor {Contractor} must forward this information to the State Contract Manager assigned to this Blanket P.O. {Contract} as published in NJ Start.

delivery Requirements

Vendors {Contractors} must provide contracted items and the delivery of the contracted items directly to Distribution and Support Services (DSS) at the following address:

Department of the Treasury Distribution & Support Services 1620 Stuyvesant Avenue West Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0234

Deliveries for all contracted items shall be made within the delivery timeframe noted on all Purchase Orders and in strict accordance with the instructions from the Using Agency. Delivery days ARO must not exceed thirty (30) days.

Delivery due dates are indicated for each item ordered on each Purchase Order issued taking into account the Vendor’s {Contractor’s} ARO delivery requirements. Deliveries may be made Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM and must arrive in time for the delivery to be completed by no later than 2:00 PM. Delivery appointments shall not be scheduled, trucks will be unloaded on a first come, first serve basis.

Deliveries shall not be made on the following State observed holidays:

· New Year’s Day;

· Martin Luther King Jr. Day;

· Presidents Day;

· Good Friday;

· Memorial Day;

· Independence Day;

· Labor Day;

· Columbus Day;

· Election Day;

· Veterans Day;

· Thanksgiving Day; and

· Christmas Day.

All contracted items are subject to final acceptance at the point of delivery. Deliveries containing damaged goods may be either partially accepted by DSS (with damaged goods rejected) or totally rejected by DSS depending on the severity of the damage. Vendors {Contractors} shall be responsible for any shipments rejected by the DSS and the rejected item(s) must be removed from the DSS premises at the Vendor’s {Contractor’s} expense.

If a Vendor {Contractor} anticipates a late delivery for any reason, the Vendor {Contractor} must immediately make the details known to the DSS in writing. The DSS reserves the right to cancel all or part of any such order and purchase the item(s) elsewhere.

If the Vendor {Contractor} fails to deliver by the specified delivery date, the DSS reserves the right to cancel the portion of the order which the Vendor {Contractor} failed to deliver within the specified delivery time and purchase that item elsewhere, charging the increase in price and cost of handling, if any, to the Vendor {Contractor}. In the event of Blanket P.O. {Contract} cancellation for cause, the State reserves the right to cancel all outstanding orders.

Vendors {Contractors} must deliver quantities ordered by DSS, (DSS may order more per delivery, if necessary, to accommodate anticipated sales). A Vendor {Contractor} must not change quantities ordered after receiving a purchase order. Any overages, not previously approved by DSS, may be refused by DSS at the Vendor’s {Contractor’s} expense. Any shortages may be cause for the issuance of a formal complaint to the Division’s Contract Compliance and Audit Unit.

Vendors {Contractors} must not combine deliveries of items with various scheduled delivery dates, unless authorized by DSS.

The cargo section of the delivery vehicle must be clean and totally free of garbage, refuse, trash and other matter that may be involved in the development of pathogenic or toxigenic microorganisms that could possibly cause undesirable deterioration of the contracted items.

The cargo section of all delivery vehicles must be free of all obnoxious odors that may immigrate into the contracted items or the packaging rendering the contracted items unacceptable for use. The presence of any of these conditions shall be cause for complete rejection of the delivery.

Shipments must be made in…