8915--Fresh Produce IDC with EPA

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 311991 (size standard of 700 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing list of Fresh Produce for Nutrition and Food Service for Loma Linda VA Healthcare System.

ITEM NAME

PKG QTY

Estimated Quantity

(1 Year)

ASPARAGUS, MEDIUM 1LB

BUNCH

52

ASPARAGUS, MEDIUM

2 LB BAG

260

ASPARAGUS, LARGE, 11LB

CS

17

BANANAS, YELLOW

BUNCH

433

BANANAS, YELLOW, G/T

G/T 40 LB CS

121

BASIL FRESH HERB

1 LB

17

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, FAJITA CUT

LB

433

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, FINE/SM DICED

LB

415

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW, MED

EA

17

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, MED

EA

17

BELL PEPPERS, RED, MED

EA

17

BELL PEPPERS, RED, DICED

1 LB

104

BELL PEPPERS, RED, FAJITA CUT

LB

346

BELL PEPPERS, RED, FINE DICED, 1/4"

LB

346

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW,FAJITA CUT

LB

138

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW,FAJITA CUT

5LB

138

BROCCOLI, FLORRETTS

5 LB BG

17

BRUSSEL SPROUTS, TRIMMED, CUT IN HALF

5 LBS

17

CABBAGE, RED, SHREDDED

LB

17

CARROT STICKS

LB

17

CARROTS, SHREDDED

LB

17

CAULIFLOWER FLORETES

LB

17

CAULIFLOWER, WHOLE

HEAD

17

CELERY, DICED 3/8" CUT

5 LB BG

52

CILANTRO, BUNCH

BUNCH

484

CHIVES, FRESH

2 OZ

17

COLE SLAW MIX, 5LB BAG

BG

17

CRANBERRIES,FRESH 24x12oz

CS

22

CUCUMBERS

PC

2163

GRAPES, GREEN, PREMIUM

18 TO 20 LB CS

52

GRAPES, GREEN, SEEDLESS 3LB

PC

104

GRAPES, RED, SEEDLESS

LB

52

GREEN BEANS, CLIPPED, FRESH

5 LB BG

363

JALAPENOS, GREEN, LB

LB

17

LEMON, SUNKIST CHOICE

LB

17

LIMES, GREEN SELECT

LB

17

LEEKS, LARGE, BUNCH

BN

3.2

LETTUCE, ROMAINE, CHOPPED, BITE SIZE

2 LB BG

1298

LETTUCE, GREEN LEAF, 24 CT/CS

CS

10

LETTUCE, SHREDDED

LB

17

LETTUCE, SHREDDED

5 LB

17

MILK 2% HALF GAL (LACTAID)

GL

311

MUSHROOMS, MEDIUM SLICED, 1/4 "

10 LB CS

52

ONIONS, SLICED, SLABS

LB BG

415

ONIONS, DICED

5 LB BG

104

ONIONS, FAJITA CUT

LB

138

ONIONS, GREEN

BUNCH

17

ONIONS, RED, DICED

LB

138

ONIONS, RED, SLAB/RINGS, 1/2 ''

LB

104

ONIONS,RED, SLICED, SLABS

1 LB BG

52

ORANGES, NAVEL, CHOICE

88 CT CS

69

PARSLEY, REGULAR

BUNCH

17

PICO DE GALLO SALSA, 5LB TRAY

PC

35

POTATOES, GOURMET BABY MARBLE

LB

17

POTATOES, RED POTATOES, WASHED

50 LB CS

35

POTATOES, RED, DICED

2 LB

17

POTATOES, RED, QUARTERS, WEDGES, 10 LB

10 LB BG

40

POTATOES, RUSSET, PEELED/CUBED, LARGE CUT

5LB

260

POTATOES, RUSSET, WASHED

90 CT

17

RICE MILK, QUART

EA

519

ROSEMARY, 1 LB

LB BG

10

SALAD, CHOPPED ICEBERG

LB BG

17

SPINACH, CLEAN

2.5lb

87

STRAWBERRY HALVES

10 OZ

17

STRAWBERRY, WHOLE

1 LB

17

SWEET POTATOES, PEELED,CUBED

2 LB

17

SWEET POTATOES, WHOLE

EA

17

TOMATILLOS, PEELED

LB

17

TOMATOES, 5X6

CS

69

TOMATOES, DICED

LB

87

TOMATOES, DICED, FRESH

5 LB TRAY (BG)

17

TOMATOES, GRAPE

2 LB PACK (PC)

450

TOMATOES, GRAPE, PINT

PC

17

WATERMELON, SEEDLESS

EA

52

YELLOW SQUASH

EA

17

ZUCCHINI, ITALIAN

EA

17

Other Requirements and conditions expected to be met:

Vendor must be able to provide all products listed under specific requirement and meet the estimated quality demanded weekly.

Vendor must be registered in California under proper category of business.

All deliveries shall conform in every aspect to the provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, USC Title 21, Chapter 9 (FD&C Act) and regulations promulgated there under.

Where applicable, the interpretation of requirements (descriptive terms), methods ascertaining grades, testing, etc., shall be in accordance with those contained in the USDA Grades and Standards for the products in effect on the date of solicitation.

Deliveries shall be made between 0600 to 1600, local time, 3 times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, unless otherwise arranged with the hospital kitchen.

Carrier equipment needs to be within FDA temperature tolerances and shall be capable of maintaining temperature within the range to destination.

The contractor shall demonstrate compliance with performance standards by showing that their process adherences to an appropriately designated, validated, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

Any item determined unacceptable shall be refused with full credit/replacement, at the discretion of the Government. Replacement of rejected products shall be delivered the same day, no later than 1:00PM, unless otherwise specified by the Program Manager.

Off-loading of products shall occur in the presence of VA authorized receiving personnel as indicated, or his/her designated representative.

Contractors shall be responsible for providing hand trucks, dollies for produce, required to affect delivery to appropriate location.

Deliveries will not be stacked higher than five (5) feet high.

Driver will wait until food is inspected by designee before leaving premises.

All contractor delivery personnel shall be required to wear a full company uniform, which clearly displays the name of the company and the individual, and shall be of a @neat, clean appearance with appropriate hair containment.

All contractor s employees shall wear identification (ID) badges during the entire period of time while on VA property.

It is the responsibility of the contract personnel to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. Parking information is available from VA Police & Security Office(s). The contractor assumes full responsibility for any parking violations.

The Government reserves the right to return products in the original packing for full credit if they have visible signs of poor quality within 24 hours after delivery.

Physical Hazards: products shall be clean, sound, wholesome, and be free from foreign material such as, but not limited to, dirt, insect parts, hair, wood, glass, or metal.

Mold: Products shall include mold inhibitors of proper levels as allowed by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Odors: All products shall be free from all undesirable and objectionable flavors and have a pleasingly sweet distinctive individual characteristic flavor.

Color: All products shall be uniformly colored throughout and characterize the type and/or flavor it represents.

Consistency:

Products shall not be slimy or showing signs of decomposition.

They shall be free from undesirable gas formation or any other permeable nature.

Fresh produce shall have sufficient remaining shelf life commensurate with good practices and at a minimum: Prepared produce has a minimum 5 days of shelf life after the date of delivery.

Packaging and Packing:

All packaging and packing shall be in accordance with good commercial practice. Labeling shall be in accordance with commercial labeling complying with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated there under.

The identification on the primary container may consist of either the manufacturing plant name and address or a manufacturing plant code.

The package shall be clean, sound, and securely covered to sealed to provide adequate protection from dirt, filth, and contamination. All products/ingredients shall be clean, sound, wholesome and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation. Failure to comply with this provision shall be considered grounds for default of the contract.

Unless otherwise specified, preservation, packaging and packing shall be to a degree of protection to preclude damage during normal shipping conditions and shall conform to normal commercial practices and applicable carrier rules and regulations involving shipment from contractor to receiving activity for storage.

Dating: All prepared (sliced, diced, chopped, etc.) items must be identified with readable dates (open code dates).

Other Labeling Requirements:

Unless otherwise specified in the item specification or solicitation, marking shall be in accordance with best commercial practice.

Any commercial or additional labeling as specified which complies with the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated there under, is acceptable.

The delivered products shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace.

Shipping documents accompanying the delivery must identify manufacturer s complete name, address and plant code.

Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an equal basis with those manufactured using inch-pound units, providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request should be made to the Contracting Officer to determine if the product is acceptable.

Notification to NFS will be given immediately upon receiving Recall Notices from the Food and Drug Administration Enforcement Report publications. Notifications shall be delivered to the Program Manager, COR, or designated personnel through phone and email for any food recalls related to items delivered to the VA from the contractor.

Subcontractors:

The Contracting Officer shall approve/disapprove all subcontractors used at any time during this contract.

Contractor shall list the name and address of all subcontractors.

The Contracting Officer shall be notified immediately if the Contractor should change any of the subcontractor(s) utilized for this contract and provide their name and address.

Contracting Officer shall approve/disapprove subcontractors.

Note: FAR Clause 52.222-37: Public Law (P.L.) 105-339, Section 1354 provides that no agency may enter into a contract with a Contractor who has not filed a VETS-4212 report for the preceding fiscal year under Title 38 Section 4212(d). A contract can be placed with that Contractor as soon as the report required by section 4212(d) for the fiscal year concern is filed with the Department of Labor. Contractors shall complete this report at least 7 days prior to the due date for bids in response to this solicitation, if applicable. This can be done online at https://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm.

Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments to issue changes which will affect the price, quantity and quality or delivery of this contract.

Contractor shall possess and maintain all necessary licenses required to perform this work currently and during the duration of the contract.

Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. Contractor shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, or others, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by him/her or his/her employees fault or negligence. Contractor shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance prescribed by the laws of the Federal Government.

The Government reserves the right to accept or reject Contractor s employee for the rendering of services. Complaints concerning Contract Personnel s performance or conduct will be dealt with by the Contractor and COR with the final decision being made by the Contracting Officer.

If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below OR your intent, interest to participation, and information provided will not be considered as valid for research purpose. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions:

(1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement.

(2) Please review the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.

(3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.

(4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI?

(5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW?

(6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available).

(7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified.

(8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6?

(9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items?

(10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice?

(11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act?

(12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate.

(13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail?

(14) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate.

(15) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s).

(16) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract.

(17) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award.

(18) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.

Please indicate if manufacturer is/will be US domestic Small Business / US Domestic Large Business / Foreign

ITEM NAME

Country of Origin

ASPARAGUS, MEDIUM 1LB

ASPARAGUS, MEDIUM

ASPARAGUS, LARGE, 11LB

BANANAS, YELLOW

BANANAS, YELLOW, G/T

BASIL FRESH HERB

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, FAJITA CUT

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, FINE/SM DICED

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW, MED

BELL PEPPERS, GREEN, MED

BELL PEPPERS, RED, MED

BELL PEPPERS, RED, DICED

BELL PEPPERS, RED, FAJITA CUT

BELL PEPPERS, RED, FINE DICED, 1/4"

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW,FAJITA CUT

BELL PEPPERS, YELLOW,FAJITA CUT

BROCCOLI, FLORRETTS

BRUSSEL SPROUTS, TRIMMED, CUT IN HALF

CABBAGE, RED, SHREDDED

CARROT STICKS

CARROTS, SHREDDED

CAULIFLOWER FLORETES

CAULIFLOWER, WHOLE

CELERY, DICED 3/8" CUT

CILANTRO, BUNCH

CHIVES, FRESH

COLE SLAW MIX, 5LB BAG

CRANBERRIES,FRESH 24x12oz

CUCUMBERS

GRAPES, GREEN, PREMIUM

GRAPES, GREEN, SEEDLESS 3LB

GRAPES, RED, SEEDLESS

GREEN BEANS, CLIPPED, FRESH

JALAPENOS, GREEN, LB

LEMON, SUNKIST CHOICE

LIMES, GREEN SELECT

LEEKS, LARGE, BUNCH

LETTUCE, ROMAINE, CHOPPED, BITE SIZE

LETTUCE, GREEN LEAF, 24 CT/CS

LETTUCE, SHREDDED

LETTUCE, SHREDDED

MILK 2% HALF GAL (LACTAID)

MUSHROOMS, MEDIUM SLICED, 1/4 "

ONIONS, SLICED, SLABS

ONIONS, DICED

ONIONS, FAJITA CUT

ONIONS, GREEN

ONIONS, RED, DICED

ONIONS, RED, SLAB/RINGS, 1/2 ''

ONIONS,RED, SLICED, SLABS

ORANGES, NAVEL, CHOICE

PARSLEY, REGULAR

PICO DE GALLO SALSA, 5LB TRAY

POTATOES, GOURMET BABY MARBLE

POTATOES, RED POTATOES, WASHED

POTATOES, RED, DICED

POTATOES, RED, QUARTERS, WEDGES, 10 LB

POTATOES, RUSSET, PEELED/CUBED, LARGE CUT

POTATOES, RUSSET, WASHED

RICE MILK, QUART

ROSEMARY, 1 LB

SALAD, CHOPPED ICEBERG

SPINACH, CLEAN

STRAWBERRY HALVES

STRAWBERRY, WHOLE

SWEET POTATOES, PEELED,CUBED

SWEET POTATOES, WHOLE

TOMATILLOS, PEELED

TOMATOES, 5X6

TOMATOES, DICED

TOMATOES, DICED, FRESH

TOMATOES, GRAPE

TOMATOES, GRAPE, PINT

WATERMELON, SEEDLESS

YELLOW SQUASH

ZUCCHINI, ITALIAN

(19) Which economic price adjustment factor or index would you prefer to use?

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to sam.choo@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Thursday, December 05, 2024 by 10:00 AM PST.

All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.