B-50199 Purchase of Local Beef Question and Answer Addendum 1 .docx

This is a Question and Answer Addendum to an Invitation for Bid (IFB) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for the purchase of locally sourced ground beef. The solicitation, identified as B-50199, seeks bids from suppliers capable of providing ground beef to the agency. Rather than specifying a predetermined quantity, the procurement is structured around the agency's available budget, with ISBE intending to purchase as many pounds of locally sourced ground beef as possible within budgetary constraints. Bidders are required to submit proposals that include both a price per pound and the quantity of pounds they can reasonably provide while meeting the timelines and specifications outlined in the IFB. The contract may be awarded to one or more bidders that meet the IFB requirements at the lowest offered price.

ISBE has allocated approximately $3 million for this local beef purchase initiative. Because the final quantity cannot be predetermined—as it will depend on the price per pound submitted by bidders—prospective bidders should be aware that the exact volume purchased will be determined by the bid responses received and the agency's effort to maximize pounds procured within the $3 million budget constraint. Suppliers should ensure their bids include realistic commitments regarding both pricing and delivery capacity within the specified timelines.