Open Enrollment - Vendor Assessment Form.docx

This is a Vendor Assessment Form for an Open Enrollment Master Price Agreement solicitation issued by the State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) food products procurement program. The solicitation (OEV23002638/MPA 533) seeks qualified vendors to supply non-perishable food products to RIDOC's main food depository through a Spot/Opportunity Buy Market program. The solicitation operates as an ongoing vendor assessment with continuous submission periods, allowing vendors to submit proposals at any time between April 29, 2024, and July 11, 2025. The initial contract term runs from approximately June 2024 through July 2025, with potential renewal options for two additional 12-month periods. Vendors accepted through this process will be placed on a qualified vendor list, from which state agencies will request competitive quotes when specific food product needs arise. No bidder's conference or mandatory site visits are mentioned in this assessment form.

Vendors must submit three key components: a current state food distribution license, a resume documenting qualifications and experience with non-perishable food products, and a minimum of three client references including contact information and dates of service. Evaluation occurs on a pass/fail basis, with successful vendors subject to a 1% administrative fee on all purchase orders. Vendors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in general liability, workers compensation, and automobile liability insurance. The solicitation emphasizes Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation, requiring vendors to complete an MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form, with mandates that at least one quote per project must originate from an MBE/WBE/VBE certified vendor if available on the qualified list. There is no guaranteed purchasing volume, and the Division of Purchases reserves the right to make single or multiple awards, remove vendors for non-responsiveness, and cancel the solicitation at its discretion. Vendors must register in the Ocean State Procures eProcurement system to submit proposals.