T1740 Q and A Bid Amendment 3.29.22.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

03/29/2022

To: All Interested Vendors {Bidders}

Behalf of SWSP Quote Submission Due Date: April 12, 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 and Price Sheet. Please refer to “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22” and T1740 Revised Price Sheet 3.29.22 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 # 22DPP00675 T1740: Food/Non-Food - Bulk Food Items for Distribution and Support Services on Behalf of SWSP 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.

This updated answer supersedes the answer posted in NJ Start Q & A Tab.

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).”

This updated answer supersedes the answer posted in NJ Start Q & A Tab.

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

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).”

This updated answer supersedes the answer posted in NJ Start Q & A Tab.

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

Answer: Price adjustments may be considered following Contract award. Price adjustments may be requested pursuant to New Jersey State Standard Terms & Conditions Section 6.1 which 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 “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

The Bid Term states 3 years in the body of the Solicitation, however in the Summary page it lists a Start date of 1/1/2023 and an End date of 12/31/2026, which would be a 4 year contract. Is this a 3 year contract or a 4 year contract?

Answer: The anticipated base term for all Contracts resulting from awards made in response to Bid Solicitation# 22DPP00675 in three (3) years. The Start and End Dates indicated on the NJSTART Summary Page are placeholders which will be updated following Contract award. Please be advised that the NJSTART Summary Page is provided only for the convenience of potential Bidders, and does not replace any conflicting terms within the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

Please note that Bid Solicitation Section 5.1 states: “The base term of this Contract shall be for a period of three (3) years. The anticipated Contract effective date is provided on the “Summary” page the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART. If delays in the procurement process result in a change to the anticipated Contract effective date, the Contractor agrees to accept a Contract for the full term of this Contract.

This Contract may be extended up to three (3) years with no single extension exceeding one (1) year, by the mutual written consent of the Contractor and the Director at the same terms, conditions, and pricing at the rates in effect in the last year of this Contract or rates more favorable to the State.”

Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

For Price Line 30 - Frozen Diced Carrots, are Sliced Carrots acceptable?

Answer: Yes. Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

For Price Line 28 – Frozen Apple Slices, are bag in a box containers acceptable?

Yes. Please refer to the revised Bid Solicitation titled “T1740 Revised Bid Solicitation 3.29.22”.

Answer: Please see the answer to Question #5 above.

Section 1.2, 4.1, 4.11 Please provide specs for the Food storage bags, total quantity, and minimum order quantity.

Answer: Please refer to Bid Solicitation Section 4.1, Product Specifications and Section 4.11, Estimated Quantities, for information.

Please note that Bid Solicitation Section 4.11 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.”

Section 1.2 What are the brands, part numbers, and prices for the bags under the current contract?

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 T1740 and click “”

· The current Contract list will appear under “Results”

Sections 1.2 and 3.6 The bid is due 4/13 and the bid starts 1/1/23? What happens if the market continues to go up?

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

Also, Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.2 states in part: “This is a reprocurement of the products under T1740 Bulk Food Items, Including Bulk/Chill Casing Bags – DOC presently due to expire on December 31, 2022, or until a new award can be made, whichever comes first.”

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