T2423 Revised Bid Solicitation 2.10.21~1.docx

Vendor’s {Bidder’s} Electronic Question Due Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.1 for more information.)

Mandatory/Optional Site Visit

N/A

N/A

Quote Submission Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.2 for more information.)

Dates are subject to change. All times contained in the Bid Solicitation refer to Eastern Time. All changes will be reflected in Bid Amendments to the Bid Solicitation posted on www.njstart.gov.

☐ Small Business Set-Aside Category For Goods and Services:

☐ I ☐ II ☐ III

For Construction:

☐ IV ☐ V ☐ VI

Status

☒ Not Applicable

☐ Entire Blanket P.O.

☐ Partial Blanket P.O.

☐ Subcontracting Only

☐ Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Set-Aside

Bid Solicitation Issued By:

State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property Trenton, New Jersey 086250230 Using Agency/Agencies:

State of New Jersey Distribution and Support Services (DSS) 1620 Stuyvesant Ave.

West Trenton, NJ 08625

Date: 1/22/2021 2/10/2021

Table of Contents

INFORMATION FOR VENDORS {BIDDERS}

NOTICE: This Bid Solicitation is part of the NJSTART Procurement Program. The Vendor {Bidder} is advised to thoroughly read all sections, as many have been revised, and follow all instructions contained in this Bid Solicitation, including the instructions on the Bid Solicitation’s Offer and Acceptance Page and read through all Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page , before preparing and submitting its Quote.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

This Bid Solicitation is issued by the Procurement Bureau, Division of Purchase and Property (Division), Department of the Treasury on behalf of the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury, Distribution and Support Services (DSS). The purpose of this Bid Solicitation is to solicit Quotes for various frozen entrees which will be made available and delivered by the Vendor {Contractor} to DSS.

The intent of this Bid Solicitation is to award Master Blanket Purchase Orders (Blanket P.O.s) to those responsible Vendors {Bidders} whose Quotes, conforming to this Bid Solicitation are most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. The State may award any and all price lines. The State, however, reserves the right to separately procure individual requirements that are the subject of the Blanket P.O. during the Blanket P.O. term, when deemed by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property (Director) to be in the State’s best interest.

The Bid Solicitation and State-Supplied Price Sheet contained seventeen (17) individual price lines, as follows:

It is the State’s intent to make one (1) Blanket P.O. award for each individual price line, in accordance with Section 7.2 of this Bid Solicitation.

The State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTCs) accompanying this Bid Solicitation will apply to all Blanket P.O.s made with the State of New Jersey. These terms are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Bid Solicitation and should be read in conjunction with them unless the Bid Solicitation specifically indicates otherwise.

BACKGROUND

This is a reprocurement of the products under T2423 Foods: Frozen Entrees, Specialty/ Dinner/Breakfast/Pizza/Veggie Patty- DSS presently due to expire on June 2, 2021. Vendors {Bidders} interested in the current Blanket P.O. specifications and pricing information may review the current Blanket P.O. T2423 at www.njstart.gov by following these steps:

Go to: www.njstart.gov Select “Contract & Bid Search” Select “Contracts/Blankets” Under “Contract/Blanket Description” type in T2423. Click “Find It” The current Blanket P.O.s will appear under “Results.”

Vendors {Bidders} are cautioned that this new Bid Solicitation addresses current requirements. Vendors {Bidders} should not rely upon or use data from the prior Blanket P.O.

NOTABLE CHANGE SINCE THE LAST BID SOLICITATION

This Bid Solicitation has been revised since the last reprocurement of this commodity. Please thoroughly read the entire Bid Solicitation including all sub-sections.

Notable changes include, but are not limited to:

SECTION 4.4.3.3 SPECIFICATION DATA SHEETS

Vendors {Bidders} shall submit with its Quote specification data sheets for all equivalent brands bid. The specification data sheets must document that its product bid meets or exceeds the requirements of the Bid Solicitation specifications.

Vendors {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 is necessary to confirm specification conformance must be provided.

Key Events

ELECTRONIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

The Division will electronically accept questions and inquiries from all potential Vendors {Bidders} via the “Q&A” Tab of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.

A. Questions should be directly tied to the Bid Solicitation and asked in consecutive order, from beginning to end, following the organization of the Bid Solicitation; and

B. Each question should begin by referencing the Bid Solicitation page number and section number to which it relates.

Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not contact the Using Agency and/or the Procurement Specialist directly, in person, by telephone or by e-mail, concerning this Bid Solicitation, prior to the final award of the Blanket P.O.

The cut-off date for electronic questions and inquiries relating to this Bid Solicitation is indicated on the Bid Solicitation cover sheet. In the event that questions are posed by Vendors {Bidders}, answers to such questions will be issued by Bid Amendment. Any Bid Amendment to this Bid Solicitation will become part of this Bid Solicitation and part of any Blanket P.O. awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation. Bid Amendments to this Bid Solicitation, if any, will be posted as a File Attachment on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART after the cut-off date. (See Bid Solicitation Section 1.4.1 for further information.)

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE OF NJ STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (SSTC)

Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC) and exceptions to mandatory requirements must be posed during this Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested changes.

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES

In order to be considered for award, the Quote must be received by the Procurement Bureau of the Division at the appropriate location by the required time. Vendors {Bidders} shall submit a Quote electronically through NJSTART.

QUOTES NOT RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE REJECTED. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE OPENING ARE INDICATED ON THE BID SOLICITATION COVER SHEET AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

IF THE QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE HAS BEEN REVISED, THE NEW QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE SHOWN ON THE POSTED BID AMENDMENT AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

QUOTES WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND ANNOUNCED BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE ON THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE OPENING. (DIAL-IN PHONE NUMBER: 888-204-5984 / ACCESS CODE: 2602305).

VENDOR {BIDDER} SUPPORT

Vendors {Bidders} are strongly encouraged to visit the NJSTART Vendor Support Page, which contains Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), supporting videos, a glossary of NJSTART terms, and helpdesk contact information.

The Vendor {Bidder} should utilize the QRGs before attempting to submit its Quote using the NJSTART process. It is the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} responsibility to ensure that the NJSTART Quote and attachments have been properly submitted.

Inquiries concerning the use of NJSTART may be directed to njstart@treas.nj.gov.

The Division will not respond to substantive questions related to the Bid Solicitation or any other Blanket P.O. via this e-mail address. For inquiries related to substantive questions refer to Section 1.3.1 (Electronic Question and Answer Period).

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL SITE VISIT

Not applicable to this procurement.

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL PRE-QUOTE CONFERENCE

Not applicable to this procurement.

PRE-QUOTE DOCUMENT REVIEW

Not applicable to this procurement.

ADDITIONAL Information

BID AMENDMENTS: Revisions to this BID SOLICITATION

In the event that it becomes necessary to clarify or revise this Bid Solicitation, such clarification or revision will be by Bid Amendment. Any Bid Amendment to this Bid Solicitation will become part of this Bid Solicitation and part of any Blanket P.O. awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation.

There are no designated dates for release of Bid Amendments. Those Vendors {Bidders} who are on the bid holder list either through commodity code registration in NJSTART or by acknowledging the bid in NJSTART should receive notification of any Bid Amendment(s). If a Vendor {Bidder} is not on the bid holder list to receive notifications related to a Bid Solicitation, Bid Amendments are still viewable on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.

BID AMENDMENTS WILL BE ISSUED AS FILE ATTACHMENTS, AND ARE VIEWABLE ON THE “SUMMARY” PAGE OF THE BID SOLICITATION IN NJSTART. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instructions. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all Bid Amendments related to this procurement. An interested Vendor {Bidder} should check the NJSTART “Open Bids” Tab on a daily basis to ensure review of the most updated information.

VENDOR {BIDDER} Responsibility

The Vendor {Bidder} assumes sole responsibility for the complete effort required in submitting a Quote in response to this Bid Solicitation. No special consideration will be given after Quotes are opened because of a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} failure to be knowledgeable as to all of the requirements of this Bid Solicitation.

COST Liability

The State assumes no responsibility and bears no liability for costs incurred by a Vendor {Bidder} in the preparation and submittal of a Quote in response to this Bid Solicitation.

CONTENTS of QUOTE

Quotes can be released to the public pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-1.2(b) and (c), or under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., or the common law right to know.

After the opening of sealed Quotes, all information submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} in response to a Bid Solicitation is considered public information notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary submitted by a Vendor {Bidder}. Proprietary, financial, security and confidential information may be exempt from public disclosure by OPRA and/or the common law when the Vendor {Bidder} has a good faith legal/factual basis for such assertion.

When the Bid Solicitation contains a negotiation component, the Quote will not be subject to public disclosure until a notice of intent to award a Blanket P.O. is announced.

As part of its Quote, a Vendor {Bidder} may designate any data or materials it asserts are exempt from public disclosure under OPRA and/or the common law, explaining the basis for such assertion. Vendor {Bidder} must provide a detailed statement clearly identifying those sections of the Quote that it claims are exempt from production, and the legal and factual basis that supports said exemption(s) as a matter of law. Please include a redacted copy of the Quote indicating the sections identified as confidential. The State will not honor any attempts by a Vendor {Bidder} to designate its entire Quote as proprietary, confidential and/or to claim copyright protection for its entire Quote.

The State reserves the right to make the determination as to what is proprietary or confidential, and will advise the Vendor {Bidder} accordingly. Any proprietary and/or confidential information in a Quote will be redacted by the State. Copyright law does not prohibit access to a record which is otherwise available under OPRA.

In the event of any challenge to the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} assertion of confidentiality with which the State does not concur, the Vendor {Bidder} shall be solely responsible for defending its designation, but in doing so, all costs and expenses associated therewith shall be the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder}. The State assumes no such responsibility or liability.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not designate any price lists and/or catalogs submitted as exempt from public disclosure as the same must be accessible to State Using Agencies and Cooperative Purchasing Program participants (if the Bid Solicitation has been extended to these participants) and thus must be made public to allow all eligible purchasing entities access to the pricing information.

In order not to delay consideration of the Quote or the State’s response to a request for documents, the State requires that Vendor {Bidder} respond to any request regarding confidentiality markings within the timeframe designated in the State’s correspondence regarding confidentiality. If no response is received by the designated date and time, the State will be permitted to release a copy of the Quote with the State making the determination regarding what may be proprietary or confidential.

See Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.2.4 Confidentiality/Commitment to Defend for additional information.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUOTE INFORMATION

On the date and time Quotes are due under the Bid Solicitation, all information concerning the Quotes submitted may be publicly announced and shall be available for inspection and copying except as noted below:

A. Information appropriately designated as proprietary and/or confidential shall not be available for inspection and copying; and B. Where negotiation is contemplated, only the names and addresses of the Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes will be announced, and the contents of the Quotes shall not be available for inspection and copying until the Notice of Intent to Award is issued by the Director.

PRICE Alteration In QUOTES

Any price changes including hand written revisions or "white-outs" must be initialed. Failure to initial price changes may preclude a Blanket P.O. award from being made to the Vendor {Bidder} pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2(a)(8).

QUOTE ERRORS

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.11 “Proposal errors,” a Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote as described below.

QUOTE WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO QUOTE OPENING

A Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote submission in NJSTART prior to the Quote opening; however, Vendors {Bidders} should note that while withdrawn NJSTART Quotes remain viewable by the Vendor {Bidder} on its Vendor Profile Homepage, they are removed from the Division’s view and cannot be considered for Blanket P.O. award. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote as long as the Quote is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote submission. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

QUOTE WITHDRAWAL AFTER QUOTE OPENING, BUT PRIOR TO BLANKET P.O. AWARD

If, after the Quote opening, but before Blanket P.O. award, a Vendor {Bidder} discovers an error in its Quote, the Vendor {Bidder} may make a written request to the Procurement Bureau to withdraw its Quote, or a portion thereof, from consideration for award. If the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} request to withdraw is made in good faith, and the State will not be significantly prejudiced by granting the withdrawal of the Quote beyond the loss of the benefit of the bargain to the State of the withdrawing Vendor’s {Bidder’s} offer, the request shall be granted. Evidence of the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} good faith in making this request can be demonstrated by one (1) or more of the following factors: A mistake is so significant that to enforce the Blanket P.O. resulting from the Quote would be unconscionable; that the mistake relates to a material feature or term of the Blanket P.O.; and that the mistake occurred notwithstanding the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} exercise of reasonable care. After Quote opening, while pursuant to the provisions of this section a Vendor {Bidder} may request to withdraw its Quote and the Director may in his/her discretion allow said Vendor {Bidder} to withdraw it, the Division also may take notice of repeated or unusual requests to withdraw by a Vendor {Bidder} and take those prior requests to withdraw into consideration when evaluating the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} future Quotes.

The Quote withdrawal request must include the Bid Solicitation Number, Bid Solicitation Title, the Quote submission date and should be sent to Procurement.Bureau@treas.nj.gov.

If during a Quote evaluation process, an obvious pricing error made by a potential Blanket P.O. awardee is found, the Director or his/her designee shall issue written notice to the Vendor {Bidder}. The Vendor {Bidder} will have up to five (5) business days after receipt of the notice to confirm its pricing. If the Vendor {Bidder} fails to respond, its Quote shall be considered withdrawn, and no further consideration shall be given to it.

JOINT Venture

If a Joint Venture is submitting a Quote, the agreement between the parties relating to such Joint Venture should be submitted with the Joint Venture’s Quote. Authorized signatories from each party comprising the Joint Venture must sign the Offer and Acceptance Page. Each party to the Joint Venture must individually comply with all the forms and certification requirements in Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 of this Bid Solicitation.

Reciprocity for Jurisdictional Vendor Preference

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:32-1.4 and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.13, the State of New Jersey will invoke reciprocal action against an out-of-State Vendor {Bidder} whose state or locality maintains a preference practice for its in-state Vendors {Bidders}. The State of New Jersey will use the annual surveys compiled by the Council of State Governments, National Association of State Procurement Officials, or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing or a State’s statutes and regulations to identify States having preference laws, regulations, or practices and to invoke reciprocal actions. The State of New Jersey may obtain additional information as it deems appropriate to supplement the stated survey information.

A Vendor {Bidder} may submit information related to preference practices enacted for a State or Local entity outside the State of New Jersey. This information may be submitted in writing as part of the Quote response, including name of the locality having the preference practice, as well as identification of the county and state, and should include a copy of the appropriate documentation, i.e., resolution, regulation, law, notice to Vendor {Bidder}, etc. It is the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to provide documentation with the Quote or submit it to the Director within five (5) business days after the deadline for Quote submission. Written evidence for a specific procurement that is not provided to the Director within five (5) business days of the public Quote submission date may not be considered in the evaluation of that procurement, but may be retained and considered in the evaluation of subsequent procurements.

QUOTE ACCEPTANCES AND REJECTIONS

N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.7(d), the Director’s right to waive minor irregularities or omissions in a Quote and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2 which defines causes for Quote rejection, apply to all Quotes.

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes through NJSTART may sign the forms listed in Section 4.4.1 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required with Quote) and Section 4.4.2 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required Before Blanket P.O. Award and That Should Be Submitted with the Quote) of this Bid Solicitation electronically by typing the name of the authorized signatory in the “Signature” block as an alternative to downloading, physically signing the form, scanning the form, and uploading the form to NJSTART.

DEFINITIONS

CROSSWALK

General Definitions

The following definitions will be part of any Blanket P.O. awarded or order placed as a result of this Bid Solicitation.

All-Inclusive Hourly Rate – An hourly rate comprised of all direct and indirect costs including, but not limited to: labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, travel expenses, per diem, safety equipment, materials, supplies, managerial support and all documents, forms, and reproductions thereof. This rate also includes portal-to-portal expenses as well as per diem expenses such as food.

Best and Final Offer (BAFO) – Pricing timely submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} upon invitation by the Bureau after Quote opening, with or without prior discussion or negotiation.

Bid or Bid Solicitation – This series of documents, which establish the bidding and Blanket P.O. requirements and solicits Quotes to meet the needs of the Using Agencies as identified herein, and includes the Bid Solicitation, State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), State-Supplied Price Sheet, attachments, and Bid Amendments.

Bid Amendment – Written clarification or revision to this Bid Solicitation issued by the Division. Bid Amendments, if any, will be issued prior to Quote opening.

Business Day – Any weekday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Calendar Day – Any day, including Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Change Order – An amendment, alteration, or modification of the terms of a Blanket P.O. between the State and the Vendor(s) {Contractor(s)}. A Change Order is not effective until it is signed and approved in writing by the Director or Deputy Director, Division of Purchase and Property.

Cooperative Purchasing Program – The Division’s intrastate program that provides procurement-related assistance to New Jersey local governmental entities and boards of education, State and county colleges and other public entities having statutory authority to utilize select State Blanket P.O.s issued by the Division, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:25-16.1 et seq.

Days After Receipt of Order (ARO) – The number of calendar days ‘After Receipt of Order’ in which the Using Agency will receive the ordered materials and/or services.

Director – Director, Division of Purchase and Property, Department of the Treasury, who by statutory authority is the Chief Contracting Officer for the State of New Jersey.

Disabled veterans’ business - means a business which has its principal place of business in the State, is independently owned and operated and at least 51% of which is owned and controlled by persons who are disabled veterans or a business which has its principal place of business in this State and has been officially verified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a service disabled veteran-owned business for the purposes of department contracts pursuant to federal law. N.J.S.A. 52:32-31.2.

Disabled veterans’ business set-aside contract - means a contract for goods, equipment, construction or services which is designated as a contract with respect to which bids are invited and accepted only from disabled veterans’ businesses, or a portion of a contract when that portion has been so designated. N.J.S.A. 52:32-31.2.

Discount – The price reduction applied by the Vendor {Bidder} to all items.

Division – The Division of Purchase and Property.

Evaluation Committee – A committee established or Division staff member assigned by the Director to review and evaluate Quotes submitted in response to this Bid Solicitation and recommend a Blanket P.O. award to the Director.

Firm Fixed Price – A price that is all-inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs.

Joint Venture – A business undertaking by two (2) or more entities to share risk and responsibility for a specific project.

Master Blanket Purchase Order (Blanket P.O.) – The Blanket P.O. consists of the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), the Bid Solicitation, the responsive Quote submitted by a responsible Vendor {Bidder} as accepted by the State, the notice of award, any Best and Final Offer, any subsequent written document memorializing the agreement, any modifications to any of these documents approved by the State and any attachments, Bid Amendment or other supporting documents, or post-award documents including Change Orders agreed to by the State and the Vendor {Contractor}, in writing.

May – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Must – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

No Bid – The Vendor {Bidder} is not submitting a price Quote for an item on a price line.

No Charge – The Vendor {Bidder} will supply an item on a price line free of charge.

Primary Form – An electronic form contained within a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} NJSTART profile designated by the Vendor {Bidder} as the primary or principal version of the required form.

Procurement Bureau (Bureau) – The Division unit responsible for the preparation, advertisement, and issuance of Bid Solicitations, for the tabulation of Quotes and for recommending award(s) of Blanket P.O.(s) to the Director and the Deputy Director.

Project – The undertakings or services that are the subject of this Bid Solicitation.

QRGs – Quick Reference Guides.

Quote – Vendor’s {Bidder’s} timely response to the Bid Solicitation including, but not limited to, technical Quote, price Quote, and any licenses, forms, certifications, or other documentation required by the Bid Solicitation.

Retainage – The amount withheld from the Vendor {Contractor} payment that is retained and subsequently released upon satisfactory completion of performance milestones by the Vendor {Contractor}.

Revision – A response to a BAFO request or a requested clarification of the Vendors {Bidders} Quote.

Shall – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

Should – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Small Business – Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-19, N.J.A.C. 17:13-1.2, and, N.J.A.C. 17:13-2.1, “small business” means a business that meets the requirements and definitions of “small business” and has applied for and been approved by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Small Business Registration and M/WBE Certification Services Unit as (i) independently owned and operated, (ii) incorporated or registered in and has its principal place of business in the State of New Jersey; (iii) has 100 or fewer full-time employees; and has gross revenues falling in one (1) of the three (3) following categories:

· For goods and services - (A) 0 to $500,000 (Category I); (B) $500,001 to $5,000,000 (Category II); and (C) $5,000,001 to $12,000,000, or the applicable federal revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201, whichever is higher (Category III).

· For construction services: (A) 0 to $3,000,000 (Category IV); (B) gross revenues that do not exceed 50 percent of the applicable annual revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201 (Category V); and (C) gross revenues that do not exceed the applicable annual revenue standards established at CFR 121.201, (Category VI).

Small business set-aside contract – “means (1) a contract for goods, equipment, construction or services which is designated as a contract with respect to which bids are invited and accepted only from small businesses, or (2) a portion of a contract when that portion has been so designated.” N.J.S.A. 52:32-19.

State – State of New Jersey.

State Contract Manager or SCM – The individual, as set forth in Section 8.0, responsible for the approval of all deliverables, i.e., tasks, sub-tasks or other work elements in the Scope of Work. The SCM cannot direct or approve a Change Order.

State-Supplied Price Sheet – The bidding document created by the State and attached to this Bid Solicitation on which the Vendor {Bidder} submits its Quote pricing as is referenced and described in Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.5.

Subtasks – Detailed activities that comprise the actual performance of a task.

Subcontractor – An entity having an arrangement with a Vendor {Contractor}, whereby the Vendor {Contractor} uses the products and/or services of that entity to fulfill some of its obligations under its State Blanket P.O., while retaining full responsibility for the performance of all [the Vendor’s {Contractor's}] obligations under the Blanket P.O., including payment to the Subcontractor. The Subcontractor has no legal relationship with the State, only with the Vendor {Contractor}.

Task – A discrete unit of work to be performed.

Unit Cost or Unit Price – All-inclusive, firm fixed price charged by the Vendor {Bidder} for a single unit identified on a price line.

Using Agency[ies] – A State department or agency, a quasi-State governmental entity, or a Cooperative Purchasing Program participant, authorized to purchase products and/or services under a Blanket P.O. procured by the Division.

Vendor {Bidder} – An entity offering a Quote in response to the Division’s Bid Solicitation.

Vendor {Contractor} – The Vendor {Bidder} awarded a Blanket P.O. resulting from this Bid Solicitation.

BLANKET P.O. specific definitions/ACRONYMS

Approved Products – Those products that have been identified in Bid Solicitation as meeting Using Agency needs and confirmed as meeting product specifications.

Baking Trays - Baking Trays are corrugated Aluminum Trays with flexible lids that fold over top the outer edges of the Trays. The products are intended to be baked right in the Baking Trays, so the Aluminum composition is key because Aluminum is an oven – safe metal material, and allows for even heat distribution. Trays tend to be roughly 12 inches long edge to edge, maybe slightly longer, and about 4 inches high, and the Tray thickness is substantial in proportion to the weight of the enclosed product.

Commercial Item Description (CID) – Product descriptions that concisely describe the most important characteristics of a commercial product. CIDs are official USDA Government procurement documents Equivalent Brands – Brands/products offered, other than those identified as an Approved Brand/Product, in Bid Solicitation that meet the specifications herein.

Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) – A method of freezing individual pieces of food (vegetables, fruits, etc.) so as to not create one solid block of food.

Percentage Discount or Markup - The Percentage bid applied as a Markup or a Discount to a firm, fixed price contained within a price list/catalog.

Pre-Consumer Material – Materials generated in manufacturing and converting processes, such as manufacturing scrap and trimmings/cuttings.

Post-Consumer Material – Material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer item. Post-Consumer Materials are part of the broader category of Recovered Materials.

Recovered Material – Waste material and byproduct that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but does not include materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.

Materials in Solid Waste – Material found in the various components of the solid waste stream. General, solid waste has several components, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition debris (C&D), and nonhazardous industrial waste. Under RCRA Section 6002, EPA considers materials recovered from any component of the solid waste stream when designating items containing Recovered Materials.

Net Weight – the total weight of a product, exclusive of its container or packaging.

Recycling – The series of activities, including collection, separation, and processing, by which products or other materials are recovered from the solid waste stream for use in the form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products other than fuel for producing heat or power by combustion.

Recyclability – The ability of a product or material to be recovered from, or otherwise diverted from, the solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling.

RMAN – Recovered Materials Advisory Notices provide purchasing guidance and recommendations for Recovered and Post-Consumer Material content levels for designated items.

USEPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency

USDA – The United States Department of Agriculture (https://www.usda.gov/) The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal agency responsible for certification/standards for food safety, sanitary conditions, nutrition and research for agricultural technology.

SCOPE OF WORK – REQUIREMENTS OF THE VENDOR {CONTRACTOR}

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

The sections listed below provide information and requirements necessary for a Vendor {Contractor} to successfully service the Blanket P.O. established as a result of this Bid Solicitation. The Vendor {Contractor} must comply with all terms and conditions outlined within this Bid Solicitation.

The approved brands/products identified herein have been deemed by the State to meet all specifications however, any products that meet or exceed the specifications will be considered as equivalents. See Section 4.4.5.2 for additional information.

The United States Federal Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) identified herein are based on current CID specifications/requirements in place during the timeframe of the procurement and the establishment of Blanket P.O. (s). If any Federal CID specifications/requirements are revised at any time during the term of the Blanket P.O., including any extension(s) thereof, the most recent Federal CID specifications/requirements for the product, inclusive of any revisions, will prevail for the basis of product verification and compliance with CID requirements.

All products offered in response to this Bid Solicitation must comply with the following specifications.

The chart below illustrates all items included within this Bid Solicitation along with required technical and packaging specifications:

Type I : Lasagna with meat and sauce

Style A : Regular

Noodle Type 4 (other) : derived from Enriched Wheat Flour (Durum/Semolina)

Other Related Requirements:

Shelf-Life: Must have a minimum of 360 days of shelf life from date of manufacture if kept frozen

Basic Components: Product will consist of: meat(s), tomato sauce with spices, a cheese filling, lasagna noodles, suitable sweetening and thickening agents, and may contain vegetable components

Meat Ingredients: Meat ingredients must be beef or pork, or combination of both

Sauce Ingredients: Sauce must include tomato puree / paste or crushed/ diced tomatoes, sweetening and thickening agents, spices typical of tomato – based sauce, and may include vegetable garnishes

Cheese Filling: Filling must include any of the following: Ricotta, Cottage Cheese, or Mozzerella Cheese (Whole or Skim); and may include a variety of Cheeses including Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Cheddar, Provolone, American (Processed), and Fontina; also, may include Whey and Egg ingredients.

Calories: 110 calories minimum to 200 calories maximum

Fat Content: 3 grams minimum to 8 grams maximum

Sodium: 270 milligrams minimum to 550 milligrams maximum

Carbohydrates: 11 grams minimum to 20 grams maximum

Net Weight Per Case: 384 ounces

Packaging: Packed 4 / 6 lb. (96 oz.) baking trays per case

Caesar’s Pasta Products – Caesar’s Cheese Lasagna w/ Meat Sauce – prod. code # 70402S

Bruno Specialty Foods - Elardi Meat Lasagna w Cheese and Sauce - # 30201

Nestle – Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce – code # 11000346

Conagra – Award Cuisine Meat Lasagna – UPC # 94643 48503

Campbell’s Lasagna Classic with Meat and Ricotta – code # 08161

Style A : Regular

Noodle Type 4 (other) : derived from Enriched Wheat Flour (Durum/Semolina) Other Related Requirements:

Shelf-Life: Must have a minimum of 365 days of shelf life from date of manufacture if kept frozen

Classification: Lasagna, cheese, with sauce, meatless, regular, frozen, durum or semolina noodles

Basic Components: Product will consist of: cheese filling, tomato sauce with spices, lasagna noodles, and suitable sweetening and thickening agents

Meatless Product: Meat ingredients shall not be present in the product

Sauce Ingredients: Sauce must include tomato puree / paste orcrushed/ diced tomatoes, sweetening and thickening agents, spices typical of tomato – based sauce, and may include vegetable garnishes

Cheese Filling: : Filling must include any of the following: Ricotta, Cottage Cheese, or Mozzerella Cheese (Whole or Skim); and may include a variety of Cheeses including Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Cheddar, Provolone, American (Processed), and Fontina; also, may include Whey and Egg ingredients.

Calories: 90 calories minimum to 160 calories maximum

Fat Content: 1.5 grams minimum to 6.5 grams maximum

Sodium: 140 milligrams minimum to 320 milligrams maximum

Carbohydrates: 9 grams minimum to 20 grams maximum

Net Weight Per Case: 384 ounces

Packaging: Packed 4 / 6 lb. (96 oz.) baking trays per case

Caesar’s Pasta Products – Caesar’s Cheese Lasagna in Sauce – prod. code # 70400S

Bruno Specialty Foods - Elardi Reduced Sodium Cheese Lasagna # 1272

Conagra – Healthy Choice Five Cheese Lasagna – UPC # 94643 41704

Chilli-O Frozen Foods – Chilli-O Cheese Lasagna 4 / 6 lb. Trays #81926

Type of cheese II - Natural cheese and cheese substitute

Cheese substitute ratio C – Other: Cheese sauce must include cheddar cheese, and may also include American, blue, parmesan, granular, romano, swiss, club, or other suitable cheeses; and, must include spices and suitable sweetening and thickening agents

Fat content 3 – Other: 4 grams minimum to 8.5 grams maximum

Macaroni product a - Macaroni noodles must be made from enriched durum or semolina wheat four

Sodium content (3) – Other: 300 milligrams minimum to 600 milligrams maximum

Container size (d) – Other: 96 oz. to 98 oz. baking trays

Other Related Requirements:

Shelf-Life: Must have a minimum of 365 days of shelf life from date of manufacture if kept frozen

Basic Components: Product will consist of: macaroni, cheese sauce, spices, and suitable sweetening and thickening agents

Sauce Spices: Spices including salt, annatto, paprika, beta carotene, and flavorings, may be used in the sauce formulation

Calories: 100 calories minimum to 190 calories maximum

Carbohydrates: 10 grams minimum to 22 grams maximum

Net Weight Per Case: 384 ounces to 392 ounces

Packaging: Packed 4 / 96 oz. to 98 oz. baking trays per case

Bruno Specialty Foods – Elardi Macaroni & Cheese # 13251 or 2541

Conagra – Banquet Macaroni and Cheese Tray – UPC 3 – UPC # 94643 48335

Cabbage: The cabbage shall be mature, green cabbage of similar varietal characteristics. Product must utilize cabbage leaves as the main vegetable ingredient Beef and Rice Mixture: The beef and rice stuffing mixture shall be a homogenous mixture of cooked beef and precooked rice and may contain spices

Other Related Requirements:

Shelf-Life: Must have a minimum of 365 days of shelf life from date of manufacture if kept frozen

Classification: Cabbage, rolls, stuffed with beef and rice, frozen, in sauce

Basic Components: Product shall consist of a beef and rice stuffing mixture, bread crumbs, cabbage leaves, sauce and spices, and safe and suitable sweeteners and thickeners; and, it may also contain vegetables

Sauce and Spices: Sauce shall contain tomatoes, tomato puree or tomato paste, and may contain onions, sweeteners, thickeners, and spices, including garlic and other spices common to tomato-based sauce

Calories: 60 calories minimum to 120 calories maximum

Fat Content: 1 grams minimum to 5 grams maximum

Sodium: 170 milligrams minimum to 400 milligrams maximum

Cholesterol: 15 milligrams maximum

Net Weight Per Case: 352 ounces to 384 ounces

Packaging: Packed 4 / 88 oz. to 96 oz. baking trays per case

Conagra – Healthy Choice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce – UPC # 9464341670

Nestle – Stouffer’s Stuffed Cabbage 4 x 92 oz. Trays – code # 11000340

Campbell’s Foodservice – Campbell’s Stuffed Cabbage Rolls 4 / 5 ½ lb. (88 ozs.) – code # 08156