T1105 Q and A Bid Amendment 3.16.22.docx

PHILIP D. MURPHY

Governor State of New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

DIVISION OF PURCHASE AND PROPERTY

PROCUREMENT BUREAU

33 WEST STATE STREET

P. O. BOX 230

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625-0230

ELIZABETH MAHER MUOIO

State Treasurer

SHEILA Y. OLIVER

Lt. Governor

MAURICE A. GRIFFIN

Acting Director https://www.njstart.gov

3/16/2022

To: All Interested Vendors {Bidders}

Re: Bid Solicitation # 22DPP00704 T1105 - Foods: Meat- Cured, Fresh, Chilled and Frozen, for Distribution and Support Services

Quote Submission Due Date: March 29, 2022 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Bid Amendment #1

The following constitutes Bid Amendment #1 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation:

· This Bid Amendment includes answers to questions; and

· Revisions to the Bid Solicitation. Please refer to “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22” for all additions, deletions, clarifications and modifications.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all of the additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications to the Bid Solicitation and/or the New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions relative to this Bid Solicitation as set forth in all Bid Amendments.

All other instructions, terms, and conditions of the Bid Solicitation shall remain the same.

Bid Solicitation # 22DPP00704 T1105 - Foods: Meat- Cured, Fresh, Chilled and Frozen, for Distribution and Support Services

Answers to Questions

Where applicable, each question references the appropriate Bid Solicitation section.

Section Reference Question (Bolded) and Answer

Answer: It is recommended that users utilize Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer to view PDFs. Certain PDF forms cannot be opened in the Chrome or Firefox built in PDF viewers that are enabled by default. If using Chrome or Firefox it is recommended that the file is downloaded instead by clicking the download button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser after an error message is received. An alternative option is to disable the built in PDF viewers in Chrome or Firefox.

Answer: Yes. Prior to the Quote Opening Deadline, a Vendor should review the documents comprising the submitted Quote to ensure that all of the required documents have been completed and attached. Oftentimes a Quote is deemed non-responsive because a Vendor fails to attach a required form or attaches a blank form. To review a submitted Quote a Vendor should log into NJSTART and review each document attached to the Quote submission. Instructions on how to review a submitted Quote can be found in the Quick Reference Guide entitled How to Review a Submitted Quote which is available on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page under Vendor Reference Guides.

Answer: As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 2.2, "Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions and exceptions to mandatory requirements MUST be posed during the Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Bidder’s suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested change(s).”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

Section 3.19 Is a Vendor required to provide specification data sheets for all equivalent brands bid that are not listed as an approved brand?

Answer: Yes. As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 3.19: "Bidders should submit with its Quote specification data sheets for all Equivalent Products bid. The specification data sheets must document that its product bid meets or exceeds the requirements of the Bid Solicitation specifications.

Bidders offering Approved Products identified in this Bid Solicitation are not required to submit specification data sheets for those Approved Products only. However, all required information identified on the State-Supplied Price Sheet and outlined in Bid Solicitation Section 4.0 as necessary to confirm specification conformance must be provided.

In the event that the specification data sheets are not provided with a Bidder’s Quote, the Bidder must provide the specification data sheets and nutritional facts within 48 hours following a written request from the State. Failure to comply with the written request within the allotted timeframe will result in a Bidder’s Quote non-responsive for the requested item(s).”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

and NJ Standard Terms and Conditions Section 6.1 Will price adjustments be considered during the term of the Contract?

Answer: Price adjustments may be considered following Contract award. Price adjustments may be requested pursuant to Bid Solicitation Section 5.1.1 "Price Adjustment Review" which states "The unit price of all items under this Contract are subject to price adjustment, upward or downward, by a percent increase or decrease base reflected in a designated Producer Price Index (PPI). The Vendor may request a price adjustment in six-month intervals after the beginning of the Contract throughout the life of the Contract and any extension periods"

In addition, New Jersey State Standard Terms & Conditions Section 6.1 states in part: "In an exceptional situation the State may consider a price adjustment. Requests for price adjustments must include justification and documentation".

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

Answer: It is recommended that users utilize Microsoft Edge, or Internet Explorer to view PDFs. Certain PDF forms cannot be opened in the Chrome or Firefox built in PDF viewers that are enabled by default. If using Chrome or Firefox it is recommended that the file is downloaded instead by clicking the download button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser after an error message is received. An alternative option is to disable the built in PDF viewers in Chrome or Firefox.

The Two-Year Chapter 51/Executive Order 117 Vendor Certification and Disclosure of Political Contributions form must be submitted and approved prior to Contract award but is not required at time of Quote submission. Information, instructions, and the application are available at: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/forms.shtml

Additionally, pdf copy of this form has been added to the Attachments Tab in NJSTART for reference and use.

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

Who is the current vendor for the Ground Beef and the Beef Patties?

Answer: Bid Solicitation Section 1.2 states, in part: “Bidders interested in reviewing the current Contract/Master Blanket Purchase Order specifications and pricing information may do so by following the instruction below. Bidders should not rely upon or use data or information from the Contract when preparing a response to this Bid Solicitation as this Bid Solicitation addresses the State’s current requirements.”

· Go to: www.njstart.gov

· Select “Active Blankets”

· In the search bar, select “Blankets” from the drop down menu

· Enter T1105 and click “”

· The current Contract list will appear under “Results”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

The current contract expires in September 2022 and firm prices are required at the end of March 2022. What happens if pricing goes up during the bid time and prior to the award of the new contract?

Answer: Bid Solicitation Section 3.36 states in part: “Each Vendor is required to hold its prices firm through issuance of the Contract.”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

Section 4.12 The Ground Beef is 4500 Cases over 3 Years and 4000 Cases of Beef Patties over 3 Years?

Answer: Yes. Please refer to Bid Solicitation Section 4.12, Estimated Quantities for information.

Please note that Bid Solicitation Section 4.12 also states in pertinent part, “The State makes no guarantee of contract usage or total quantities ordered during the contract term, including any extension(s) thereof. The State reserves the right to increase, decrease or eliminate quantities in their entirety. Product ordering is on an as-needed basis and order frequency may vary.”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1105 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.16.22”.

Section 4.12 How many pounds of these food items are needed in this order?

Answer: Please see the answer to Question #9 above.

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