T2628 Amendment 1 Response to Questions 6.14.21~2.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

June 14, 2021

To: All Interested Vendors {Bidders}

Re: Bid Solicitation # 21DPP00644 T2628 Foods: Condiments; Spices/Rice/Potatoes/Flour/Sugar for Distribution & Support Services

Quote Submission Due Date: June 29, 2021 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Bid Amendment #01

The following constitutes Bid Amendment #01 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation:

· This Bid Amendment includes answers to questions.

· Attachment titled “T2628 Bid Tabulation 16-X-23870” has been added in the Attachments Tab for bid tabulation information from the previous procurement cycle for award information.

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 #21DPP00644 T2628 Foods: Condiments; Spices/Rice/Potatoes/Flour/Sugar for Distribution & Support Services Answers to Questions

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

Section Reference Question (Bolded) and Answer

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Answer: Yes. Prior to the Quote Opening Deadline, a Vendor {Bidder} 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 {Bidder} fails to attach a required form or attaches a blank form. To review a submitted Quote a Vendor {Bidder} 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 Suited Quote which is available on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page under Vendor Reference Guides.

Will the State allow Vendors to take exception to any of the Standard Terms and Conditions?

Answer: As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.1.1, Exceptions to the NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC): “Questions regarding the SSTC proposed exceptions to mandatory requirements, including the Special and Standard Terms and Conditions in Sections 5 and 9 of this Bid Solicitation 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.”

Additionally, as stated in Section 4.1, General: “Quotes including Vendor {Bidder} proposed terms and conditions may be accepted, but Vendor {Bidder} proposed terms or conditions that conflict with those contained in the Bid Solicitation, as defined in Section 2.0 of this Bid Solicitation, or that diminish the State’s rights under any Blanket P.O. resulting from the Bid Solicitation, may render a Quote non-responsive.”

DATA SHEETS

Is a Vendor {Bidder} 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 4.4.3.3: “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.”

PRICE FLUCTUATION DURING CONTRACT

Will price adjustments be considered during the term of the Blanket P.O.?

Answer: Price adjustments may be considered following Blanket P.O. award. Price increases may be requested pursuant to New Jersey State Standard Terms & Conditions Section 6.1 which states “in an exceptional situation the State may consider a price adjustment. Requests for price adjustments must include justification and documentation.”

ESTIMATED QUANTITIES

Will the State provide an estimate of quantities for each line item?

Answer: Yes. Estimated quantities for the thirty-eight (38) price line items to be ordered by DSS over a three (3) year term of the Blanket P.O. are provided in Section 3.9 of the Bid Solicitation.

BACKGROUND

How can I obtain the previous award prices for the items in this bid?

Answer: As per Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, which states in pertinent part, “Vendors {Bidders} interested in the current Blanket P.O. specifications and pricing information may review the current Blanket P.O. T2628 at www.njstart.gov by following these steps:

Go to: www.njstart.gov Select “Contract & Bid Search” Select “Contracts/Blankets” Under “Contracts/Blanket Description” type in T2628, 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. “

Additionally, please see the document entitled “T2628 Bid Tabulation 16-X-23870” in the Attachments Tab for bid tabulation information from the previous procurement cycle for award information.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Can I offer a product that has a different packaging if the nutritional specifications are the same?

Answer: No; As per Bid Solicitation Section 3.1, Product Specifications, which states in pertinent part, “The following chart illustrates and describes all items included within this Bid Solicitation along with required technical, and/or packaging specifications:” The referenced chart identifies technical specifications, including packaging requirements, for each price line item.

In addition, as per Bid Solicitation Section 5.8., which states in pertinent part, “All products are to be packaged in sizes as specified in this Bid Solicitation and shall be packaged in such a manner as to ensure delivery in first class condition and properly marked for identification.”

BACKGROUND

Is this a new bid for State of NJ?

Answer: No; as per Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, which states in pertinent part, “This is a reprocurement of the products under Foods: Condiments/Spices/Rice /Potatoes/Flour/Sugar – DSS, presently due to expire on September 26, 2021.

Is there previous award information that you might be able to share?

Answer: As per Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, which states in pertinent part, “Vendors {Bidders} interested in the current Blanket P.O. specifications and pricing information may review the current Blanket P.O. T2628 at www.njstart.gov by following these steps:

Go to: www.njstart.gov Select “Contract & Bid Search” Select “Contracts/Blankets” Under “Contracts/Blanket Description” type in T2628, 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. “

BACKGROUND

Is this a new Bid Solicitation?

Answer: No; as per Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, which states in pertinent part, “This is a reprocurement of the products under Foods: Condiments/Spices/Rice /Potatoes/Flour/Sugar – DSS, presently due to expire on September 26, 2021.”

Can I please get a copy of the previous bid award for this bid?

Answer: Please refer to the attachment titled “T2628 Bid Tabulation 16-X-23870” in the Attachments Tab to review the bid tabulation from the previous procurement cycle for award information.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Will potatoes, instant mashed FLAKES be accepted along with granular?

Answer: No; instant mashed potato flakes are not acceptable.

As per Bid Solicitation Section 3.1, which states in pertinent part, “The product must meet the following requirements:

Classification: Potatoes, Instant, Granular, Mashed, Rapid Rehydrating, with or without Milk, Sulfite Added.”

Answer: The State orders in such quantities as it requires pursuant to NJ State Standard Terms and Conditions Section 5.12, Delivery Requirements, as well as Bid Solicitation Section 3.9. The State may order product in full pallets or truckloads, but is NOT REQUIRED to do so.

Answer: No, estimated delivery schedules are not available because product is ordered as-needed, and not necessarily by a determined scheduled. Deliveries at the quantities ordered will be made in accordance with the terms of the awarded Blanket P.O., as stated in NJ State Standard Terms and Conditions Section 5.12, Delivery Requirements, as well as Bid Solicitation Section 3.9.

Answer: There are no minimum order requirements or limitations, and the State may order in such quantities as it requires pursuant to NJ State Standard Terms and Conditions Section 5.12, Delivery Requirements, as well as Bid Solicitation Section 3.9.

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