B-50199 Purchase of Local Beef Question and Answer Addendum 3.docx

26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50199

SBE: IFB for Purchase of IL Local Ground Beef Question and Answer Addendum #3

1. The state is requesting 40lb boxes of IL local ground beef, Will the state be open to accepting 50lbs boxes? whoever is awarded the bid, what is the earliest in January the state is open to start accepting deliveries? and depending on the ordered quantity, can the vendor make multiple deliveries provided all deliveries for the ordered quantities is done by the due date as mentioned in the solicitation?

ANSWER: We are not able to be flexible on the size of the boxes. The requirement is 40 lb. boxes. This is due to a need to have consistent sizing for schools that are ordering and for the logistics of storage, delivery and handling. As soon as the contract is awarded, the warehouse will be ready to accept deliveries on agreed upon dates/times. Per the contract the warded contactor must contact the warehouse staff in advance to set up delivery dates and times. Yes, the awarded contractor may schedule multiple deliveries with the warehouse staff.

2. Could you please confirm the total estimated quantity of ground beef required for the contract period (in pounds, cases, or other units)? If possible, we would also appreciate any available monthly or periodic breakdown of expected usage.

ANSWER: This purchase is based on the agency’s available budget rather than a predetermined quantity. ISBE has approximately $3 million allocated to purchase locally sourced ground beef and intends to acquire as many pounds as possible without exceeding this budget. Because the price per pound will be determined by bidder submissions, it is not possible to estimate the exact quantity in advance. Bidders must submit a price per pound and the number of pounds that they can provide by the timelines and bid specifications provided in the IFB. The contract may be awarded to one or more bidders that meet the requirements of the IFB at the lowest price.

There is no monthly or periodic breakdown of expected usage at this time. Once the contract is awarded, ISBE will use the information provided by the awarded contractors to estimate how much local beef will be available and when. Please note that all deliveries from awarded contractors must be delivered by the June due date stipulated in the solicitation.

3. What is the anticipated delivery frequency (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) and are there any preferred delivery days or time windows for the receiving school districts or facilities?

ANSWER: There are no requirements on frequency. All delivery dates and times will need to be made in advance with the warehouse staff. Dates and times will be consistent with the warehouses normal business days and hours unless the warehouse staff agree otherwise.

4. Are there specific requirements for packaging (e.g., 10 lb chubs, 5 lb trays, bulk cases), fat/lean ratios (e.g., 80/20, 85/15, 90/10), grind specifications, or any other quality, labeling, or sourcing requirements beyond those outlined in the posted IFB documents?

ANSWER: No – all of the requirements are listed with-in the posted IFB documents. See the most recent revision of the File Attachment titled B-50199 Purchase of IL Local Ground Beef Contract for the full and all-inclusive specifications.

5. Will delivery be required to individual school districts/facilities statewide, or to one or more central warehouse/distribution points? If multiple locations are involved, is a list of delivery sites or regional delivery zones available for planning purposes?

ANSWER: Per Section 1.1 of the IFB, awarded contractors will deliver to a warehouse in Granite City, IL. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will be responsible for the delivery of the local beef to individual schools. Awarded contractors will ONLY deliver their frozen local ground beef to the Granite City, IL warehouse, they will not deliver to school districts.