RFI - Meals-Ready-To-Eat (Kosher & Low Sodium).pdf

OFFICE OF STATE PROCUREMENT (OSP)

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

BID NUMBER: BPM053157

Issue Date: September 16, 2025

STATEWIDE

Meals-Ready-To-Eat (Kosher and/or Low Sodium)

NOTICE

A Prospective respondent that has received this document from the Office of State Procurement website or procurement.maryland.gov, or that has received this document from a source other than the Procurement Officer, and that wishes to assure receipt of any changes or additional materials related to this RFI, should immediately contact the Procurement Officer and provide the

Prospective Respondents name and mailing address so that addenda to the RFI or other communications can be sent to the Prospective Bidder.

https://procurement.maryland.gov/

STATE OF MARYLAND

Office of State Procurement

RFI KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET

Request for Information: Meals-Ready-To-Eat (Kosher and/or Low Sodium)

Solicitation Number: BPM053157

Solicitation Type: To Be Determined

RFI Issue Date: September 16, 2025

RFI Issuing Office: Office of State Procurement

Procurement Officer: Tierra Ali-Said

301 W. Preston Street, Suite M-4

Baltimore, MD 21201 e-mail: Tierra.Ali-Said1@maryland.gov

Closing Date and Time: October 1, at 3:00 PM Local Time

Responses are to be submitted via email only at Tierra.Ali-Said1@maryland.gov

CONTENTS OF THIS SOLICITATION PACKAGE

Section A General Information

Attachment 1

SECTION A

GENERAL INFORMATION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

A. OBJECTIVE:

a) The purpose of this Request For Information (RFI), which is not a solicitation to procure, is a means of conducting market research to identify capable parties having an interest in a Statewide procurement for Meals-Ready-To-Eat that are Kosher and/or

Low Sodium. This RFI is in addition to any formal forthcoming virtual pre-bid conference that would occur after the procurement solicitation posting, once a date is determined.

b) The requirements stated in this RFI may not accurately reflect that which may be contained in a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Purchase Order

RFP (PORFP), Task Order RFP (TORFP) or other procurement vehicle. This issuance does not constitute a commitment to issue a request for bids, award a contract, or pay any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this request. Furthermore, the

Department of General Services (DGS) requires that all responding vendors abstain from providing any quotes or bids in response to this RFI unless otherwise asked to do so.

c) Any information received in response to this RFI will assist DGS in collecting information that may be used at a future date for a procurement. A submission in response to this RFI does not guarantee that the respondent will be included in any subsequent procurement. Likewise, a non-submission in response to this RFI does not preclude a recipient or vendor from inclusion in any future procurement.

d) As part of DGS's efforts to gather this information, DGS may schedule information sessions as it determines necessary with participants or others. The purpose of these sessions is strictly information gathering. This is not a procurement activity and will not result in an evaluation or a purchase.

e) OSP intends on subsequently soliciting and awarding a Fixed Price, Indefinite

Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract for meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) that are Kosher and/or Low Sodium, which are to be furnished and delivered at various agency sites during emergency situations. The term of the contract is anticipated to commence the

Fourth Quarter, 2025. It is anticipated that the contract will be for multiple years and potentially contain renewal options.

f) The contract award(s) may be by geographic region, however, the makeup of this has not been determined at this time. OSP would like to designate one or more portions of this requirement as a Small Business Preference (SBP) or a Small Business Reserved

(SBR) Procurement, and to allow for the maximum opportunity for Minority Business

Enterprise (MBE) and Veteran Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) utilization at both the prime and subcontracting-levels.

B. INSTRUCTIONS

a) This information is for OSP internal planning purposes only. Responses will not be used to evaluate firms.

b) In order to facilitate an expedited review and response period, the OSP is requesting that vendors complete Attachment 1 and send Attachment 1 to the DGS OSP Procurement

Listed in this RFI.

c) Respondents should give specific attention to the identification of those portions of its response which it considers confidential, proprietary, commercial information, or trade secrets, and provide justification for why such materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the State under the Public Information Act, Title 4 of the General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Respondents are advised that, upon request for this information from a third party, the Procurement Officer will be required to make an independent determination regarding whether the information may be disclosed.

C. MEALS-READY-TO-EAT (Kosher and/or Low Sodium):

a) For reference purposes and to assist in determining if your firm is capable of handling the requirements of the state, below you will find information for the current scope of work.

b) MDEM is seeking multiple vendors to provide ready-to-eat meals or other similar shelf stable meals for distribution to disaster survivors or incident workforce personnel in austere environments. Shelf stable meals are non-perishable meals that can be safely stored at room temperature. All meals provided under this contract shall be shelf stable meals. The term Shelf Stable Meals may be used interchangeably with the term Meals.

The Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE), and associated religious MREs, are military rations designed under specifics set by the U.S. Department of Defense through Defense

Logistics Agency (DLA).

c) Meals identified for fulfillment of this contract need to include dietary needs and restrictions, religious observance, and daily caloric intake recommendations, including:

i. Kosher

ii. Low Sodium

Meals are packaged 12 meals per case. A pallet includes 48 cases.

Meals are delivered by the truckload. A Truckload (TL) is the amount of product that can be transported on a standard 53’ tractor trailer. The standard pallet count for potable water is between 50 and 52 pallets of shelf stable meals per TL.

d) Shelf Stable Meal: A general shelf stable meal that is not an MRE. Each Meal must contain a minimum of 1,020 calories. Each Meal must include a minimum of an entrée, side item, and dessert. Meals must be individually packaged and nutritionally balanced.

Meals may be low or reduced sodium Meals. Meals may include flameless ration heater or other self-heating food packaging as needed. Freeze dried meals are not acceptable.

At a minimum, the Meals shall have a shelf life of at least three (3) years from the delivery date. The expiration date must be printed on the case.

e) Meal, Ready to Eat: The Meal, Ready-To-Eat (MRE) is designed to sustain an individual engaged in heavy activity such as training or during actual operations when normal food service facilities are not available.

■ The MRE is a totally self-contained operational ration consisting of a full meal packed in a flexible meal bag. The full bag is lightweight and fits easily into field clothing pockets. Each meal bag contains an entrée and a variety of other components as may be seen in the table of Menus.

■ Included in the MRE is a flameless ration heating device that has been packed into each meal bag to heat the entree.

■ Each shipping pallet contains 24 A cases and 24 B cases. The net weight per case is approximately 22 lbs. and 1.02 cubic feet, while each pallet weighs 1,098 lbs. and is approximately 56.1 cubic feet.

■ Components are selected to complement each entree as well as provide necessary nutrition. Each meal also contains an accessory packet. The contents of one MRE meal bag provides an average of 1250 kilocalories (13 % protein, 36 % fat, and 51

% carbohydrates).

■ The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 degrees F. However, the shelf life can be extended through the use of cold storage facilities prior to distribution.

■ National Stock Number (NSN) for a case of MREs (12 MREs per case) is 8970-00-

149-1094

f) The Meal, Religious, Ready-To-Eat, Kosher is utilized to feed those individuals who maintain a strict religious diet. Each meal consists of one Kosher or Halal certified entree and religiously certified/acceptable complementary items sufficient to provide the recommended daily nutritional requirements. Each case of Religious Meals contains twelve meals with entrees and component/accessory items.

■ Each meal contains an entree plus a variety of components. In addition, an accessory packet with condiments/seasonings, utensils, flameless ration heater, and napkin is included with the meal. Each menu provides a minimum of 1200 Calories (11-13% protein, not more than 35% fat, and not less than 48% carbohydrate).

■ 24-month shelf life from date of production.

■ The NSN for the Kosher Ration is 8970-01-424-1996 and for the Halal Ration is

8970-01-424-1998.

■ DLA Note: Kosher meals are not stocked and made to order. The lead time is 10-14 business days. These lead-times are estimated; we do everything in our power to get meals to clients as soon as possible. In addition to lead-times, please take into consideration current food supply chain shortages, holidays, weather conditions/delivery & trans delays, surge in service requirements and other unforeseen circumstances. The Kosher vendor is closed for Jewish Holidays in

Spring, Fall and at the end of the year. The Halal vendor is typically closed for a week at the end of summer and at the end of the year.

g) Humanitarian Daily Ration: The Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR) is based on the

MRE, but was designed for distribution to civilians and non-military personnel in humanitarian crises.

▪ HDRs contain no animal products, except a limited amount of dairy products, but below the limit that would cause a problem for a person with a lactose intolerance.

▪ HDRs contain a fruit paste, or pudding, suitable for feeding infants.

▪ HDRs provide over 2,200 calories.

▪ HDRs have a shelf life of 3 years.

h) Commodity Packaging & Documentation: Packing Details: Due to the rapidly changing needs during an emergency response, it is possible that commodities may be moved several times, double stacked for storage, or stored outside during all types of weather. As such, the Contractor must package Products to prevent spoliation and adhere to the minimum packing requirements:

■ Meals shall be packed in cases.

■ Meals shall be shipped on pallets.

■ Pallets will be sufficiently wrapped for safe transportation and multiple relocations.

■ Pallets shall be designed to be picked up with a standard forklift from all four sides.

■ The Contractor shall ensure that the Commodities are packaged to withstand handling as described, as well as severe climates.

■ The Contractor shall provide a copy of the Bill(s) of Lading for each TL delivered.

■ The Contractor shall label and mark each pallet as described.

■ The Customer shall not be responsible for return of pallets. Pallets will be disposed of at customer’s discretion. Specialized pallets should not be used.

■ Customers may add additional packing requirements for each order. The Customer must specify any additional packaging requirements in the Purchase Order.

i) Pallet Labeling: Each pallet of Food, Water, and Ice for Emergency Operations shall have labels attached on at least one side of each pallet. At a minimum, each pallet label shall include the following information in clear, legible text:

■ Contractor Name

■ Type of Commodity

■ Purchase Order (PO) Number

■ Mission Number

■ Units Per Package (liters, lbs., etc.)

■ Total Units on Pallet

■ Expiration Date

j) Bill of Lading: Each TL delivered shall include a Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL must be complete and accurate at the time of delivery. At a minimum, the BOL shall include the following information in clear, legible text:

■ Contractor Name

■ Purchase Order Number

■ Mission Number (when applicable)

■ Type of Commodity

■ Total Units Delivered with the TL

■ Date and Time the Truck is Dispatched with the Commodities

■ Date and Time the Truck has been released by the Customer’s On-Site

Representative

■ A section for the Customer to sign off to indicate delivery acceptance Customers may require additional information for pallets or BOLs for each order.

■ The Customer must specify any additional information requirements in the Purchase

Order.

k) Delivery: The contractor must be able to deliver to a State Logistics Staging Area

SLSA), Local Staging Area (LSA), Local Commodity Point of Distribution (CPOD), or to a specific location.

l) State of Emergency: During a declared state of emergency, the timeframe needs to be condensed to acquire necessary commodities for distribution. The quickest timeframe is within twenty-four (24) hours up to a maximum of fourteen (14) days.

m) Desired Truckload Supply Timeframes: The number truckloads the vendor is capable of delivering within the established timeframes:

■ 24 Hours: 5-50 TLs

■ 48 Hours: 20-100 TLs

■ 72 Hours: 50-150 TLs

■ 7 Days: 150-300 TLs

■ 14 Days: 200-500 TLs

n) Special Conditions for Commodities: Product Returns:

■ The Contractor may elect to accept Product returns of full undamaged pallets of

Commodities for a full or partial refund. If the Contractor offers Product returns, the

Contractor must indicate this on the quote to the Customer. A restocking fee may be assessed and shall be subtracted from the Customer’s return refund. The restocking fee shall not exceed 10% of the product price under this Contract. The restocking fee must also be identified and set in the quote provided to the Customer prior to the purchase.

■ In addition to a restocking fee, the Contractor may charge the Customer the

Transportation Allowance for Product returns. The Transportation Allowance will be calculated and subtracted from the Customer’s return refund. The Contractor shall not charge a Transportation Allowance on Product returns if the Customer provides transportation to the Contractor’s identified return site. The Transportation

Allowance and restocking fee shall not exceed the total invoiced amount for the returned Commodities.

o) Recalled Commodities: In the event there is a recall of any Commodity offered on the

Contract, or any part or component of a, or any parts incorporated into the Commodity, the Contractor shall help the Department and Customers in developing a recall strategy and shall cooperate with the Department and the Customers in monitoring the recall operation and in preparing such reports as may be required. Contractor shall immediately notify Customer if it becomes aware of any recall that is applicable to any of the Commodities which have been ordered or provided. Each Contractor shall, at the request of the Department or any Customer, give the Department and each Customer all assistance in locating and obtaining any Commodities. Each Contractor shall immediately notify and provide copies to the Department of any communications, whether relating to recalls or otherwise, with any Customer. The Contractor shall ensure recalled Commodities are rectified, replaced or destroyed in compliance with all applicable laws, rules or regulations and the Department's instructions. All efforts related to Recalled Commodities shall be at the Contractor’s expense.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

BPM053157

ATTACHMENT 1

Instructions: To Submit your Response to the Request for Information (RFI), download

Attachment 1 and complete the YELLOW fields. Submit ATTACHMENT 1 to the following email address:

Tierra.Ali-Said1@maryland.gov

A) Contractor Contact Information:

Company Name:

Address:

Email Address:

Website Address:

Telephone Number:

Point of Contact (name, title, telephone number, and email address):

Satellite/Branch Office Locations:

B) Socioeconomic Information: MBE / VSBE / SBR: (circle one)

Business Size (Small or Large)

If small, list other any additional socio-economic grouping

Notes:

STATEWIDE DELIVERY

REGIONS: Please circle the regions your Company can deliver to:

Region A Region B Region C

Region

D-1

Region D-

Region

E

Allegany

Frederick

Anne

Arundel Caroline Dorchester Calvert

Garrett Montgomery

Baltimore

County Cecil Somerset Charles

Washington

Prince

George's

Baltimore

City Kent Wicomico

St.

Mary's

Carroll

Queen

Anne's Worcester

Harford

Talbot

Howard

STATEWIDE PRICING: Enter a price per unit cost in each field.

Note, this price will not be evaluated but will be collected for Market Research Purposes.

Description Quantity – 1 Unit Quantity – 1 Unit Quantity – 1 Unit Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Entrees

(Whole Dollar Amounts, Only)

Breakfast Entrées

(Kosher, or Low

Sodium):

1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal

Lunch Entrée (Kosher or Low Sodium):

1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal

Dinner Entrée

(Kosher or Low

Sodium):

1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal 1 factory-sealed meal

A La Carte Entrees

(Kosher or Low

Sodium):

1 Unit

Total Price Including

Delivery:

a. Please provide your company’s capability statement addressing the details of this effort within the counties you indicated above. If there is a particular task outlined in the Statement of Work that hinders you from being able to cover a particular area or region please provide this information in your statement.

b. Please provide prior experience on projects of similar scope and magnitude. Describe no more than three (3) projects relating to the work areas outlined in the attached specifications that have been completed within the past five (5) years.

C) General Questions:

a. Is there anything unduly restrictive about the draft specifications that would prevent your company from being able to compete?

b. What part of this requirement do you believe could be subcontracted out to increase

MBE/VSBE participation (and why)?

c. What do you believe MBE/VSBE goals should be for this requirement, by region/county

(and why?)

d. Are there any regions/counties that you believe can be designated as SBR (and why?)

e. Is there any other items you believe that OSP should consider before finalizing the specifications and soliciting?

Thank you in advance for your feedback. Your feedback will be reviewed and possibly incorporated into a future procurement. As a reminder, submitting information in response to this RFI is not a promise by the State to award a contract.

THIS IS THE END OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.