2016_Sack_Lunch_Q_A.pdf

CAL FIRE 2016 Sack Lunch RFO #9CA03199

Sandwich Questions

Can you provide a sample of exactly what would be required of a vendor on separating the individual parts?

The sandwich is no longer served with the components together? All components are to be individually wrapped, is this correct?

Need clarification; am I understanding right that all the components for the sandwich need to be packaged separately? I'm thinking of the plastic packing, time and waste this would create if this is the case. This could double production time Can the cheese and meat be made on the bread?

Is it correct that the sandwich components will be packaged separately?

If sliced cheese is required how is this supposed to be factory packaged?

A: After reviewing vendor responses, we’ve determined that we will not require the elements of the sandwich to be packaged separately. Sandwiches will need to be assembled prior to delivery as they have been in previously.

Can a FDUL over ride and request sandwiches coming assembled?

A: N/A.

If a company were to purchase 3oz packages of sliced deli meat to satisfy the current spec is there a possibility this could be changed by FDUL or Logistics Commanders?

A: N/A.

Last year the entree meat sandwich stated 2.5 oz meat and 2.5 oz cheese. It was confirmed that as long as the total weight was 5 oz we could use for example 1 oz cheese and 4 oz meat. Does that still hold true this year?

A: Yes.

We slice all of the meat for the lunches fresh, if we have to bag the meat and cheese separately it would add to our response time is it mandatory to package them separately and if so would we have to put a packaged by and expiration date on them?

A: N/A.

In this RFO, each item of the sandwich needs to be packaged separately, e.g., meat in one bag, bread in another, cheese in a third. Will a packaging date be required on each of the sandwich ingredient packages?

A: N/A.

2 oz. of cheese - Will string cheese or cheddar squares be accepted for the sandwich cheese?

A: No string cheese.

Are we able to use meatballs in the sandwich if the beef has no fillers added to it?

A: Yes.

Are the meat choices for sandwiches limited to the types listed as examples (p.14, p.18)? Will full muscle corned beef or whole chicken breast at the specified weights be acceptable as well?

A: No, the things listed as examples are simply examples. Whole muscle meat is acceptable.

Is produce now a requirement for all sandwiches?

Produce has always been in the specifications for sandwiches.

Uncrustable –Is the acceptable if a roll is provided as a substitute for an uncrustable if bread is provided?

The spec reads as: PB&J sandwich – OR – 2 Smucker’s Uncrustables, a roll may be used for the PB&J

Has Cal Fire considered offering a salad for variety I'm thinking of something like a seven bean salad and a grilled chicken breast.

That sounds great, as long as it has a shelf life of 3 days, it can be included in the admin lunches. As of this year, we’re still requiring two sandwiches for the fire line lunches.

If the fire personnel out in the field will be assembling these sandwiches should we plan on including gloves or some other utensil?

It’s not required, but it would be an acceptable addition to the lunch.

Other Food Questions

Energy Supplement - Some energy supplements state that they contain (2) servings per container, would these products meet the specifications for (2) servings of an energy supplement (p. 16)?

Yes, if the nutrition is equivalent to two servings of an energy bar (i.e. Clif Bar, Power Bar)

Is there a minimum oz specification for the protein shake?

No, just ensure the nutrients are equivalent to two energy bars. CAL FIRE 2016 Sack Lunch RFO

#9CA03199

The spec calls out for two 1.5 oz packages of ranch dressing. From what I have seen this is over kill for the amount of vegetables being served and the 1.5 oz size isn't as readily available in quantities as the smaller packets of ranch. Any flexibility on this requirement?

Yes, use your best judgment.

In lieu of two 1 oz trail mix, is one 2 or 3 oz trail mix acceptable? The same with the dried fruit, is one 2 or

3 oz dried fruit acceptable?

Yes.

The most common, readily available beef jerky size available is 1.5 oz, if we are out of 2 oz, which is custom packed, can we substitute a 1.5 oz and add a string cheese or other component?

No string cheese, just make sure the entire contents of the lunch bag meet nutritional requirements.

Beef Jerky - 1.5oz or 3oz is the Beef Jerky industry standard. Will a 1.5oz bag satisfy the current specification. If not, is there a substation that will be permitted?

No string cheese, just make sure the entire contents of the lunch bag meet nutritional requirements.

Vegetables – Will cucumbers, grape tomatoes, jicama, edamame, string beans be considered acceptable vegetables?

Yes.

Drink mix change: If we hold a current inventory of Totally Light drink mix will we be able to run through current inventories before we change over to the electrolyte version?

No. As of this fire season CAL FIRE will only accept decaffeinated electrolyte drink mixes, examples include: Drip Drop, Pedialyte, Gatorade, Propel, Vitalyte, etc. The drink mixes MUST be an electrolyte replacement drink mix.

Where can I find Drip Drop?

You can contact Greg Sumerlin at Drip Drop and he can assist you in getting inventory from local sources; his contact information is: Greg.Sumerlin@dripdropors.com, 503-309-9819 cell, 415-962-1017 office, web www.dripdrop.com

General RFO Questions

Cancellation Policy – In the event where a vendor is supplying lunches over a 500-mile radius of their production facility does this rule still apply? For example, coming out of southern California going to

Butte County in order to get the product to the location by 12:00 noon. The order would need to leave the doc at no later than 5pm. This is about a 16-hour window. If the order has been produced and is in route will Cal Fire continue to reserve the right to cancel within a 12-hour window?

A: Yes, they do. However, the individual Food Unit Leader should work something out with the vendor, should that occur. FDULs are encouraged to order from our closest available resource, to prevent long lead times on delivery.

The RFO states that Cal Fire can cancel up to 12 hours in advance of an order. Typically we would have all perishables purchased (all non-returnable due to food safety standards) meat sliced, staff scheduled etc.

at that time. Although it has never happened during the time we have been doing business with Cal Fire a 12 hour cancellation would place a burden on our company. Does Cal Fire have any mechanisms in place to help a vendor re-sell the product if in fact an order is cancelled?

A: No, we cannot help you resell your product; however, the FDUL should work with you to try and move the delivery location to another fire.

I do not see what locations or area of California that these lunches have to be delivered to? Could you give us a list.

You provide us with your delivery radius.

Maximum carton weight changed from 50lbs to 35lbs. The lunches last year were ranging from 4-5lbs a piece. With the addition of the protein shake it will definitely be right at 5lbs. Are you wanting us to only out 7 or 8 lunches per box? When out in the field I was told by all MKU leaders they wanted 10 per box to make it easier for the crews. If you could let us know.

A: First, the protein shake is a new option, not a requirement. Second, the lunches were getting damaged with the 50lb carton weight, carton weight this season can be no more than 35lbs.

Carton Weight - Our lunches vary in weight depending on the menu, sometimes they are 4lb 1 oz, other times 4lbs 14oz. Is it acceptable to change the quantity of lunches in each carton based on the approximate weight of that day's lunch?

A: Yes, cartons cannot be more than 35lbs, mark quantity clearly on the outside of each carton.

The first page of the RFO states that "Responses to the RFO and any required copies must be submitted by mail..." Within the RFO (p. 3, 2nd to last paragraph), it states that email is also acceptable. May we submit by email? If we may only submit by mail, is May 6th the post-mark date or received by date?

A: Email submittals are fine, let’s save some trees this year – if you send me a copy via email, a hard copy will not be required. Regardless of your submission method, please have them emailed or postmarked by May 6, 2016.

We have done catering for Cal Fire Academy and the contract was under the meal allowance. Is there a meal allowance for the sack lunch?

A: No, there is not; you will not need to consider that in your response.