Fresh Milk, Dairy, and Ice Cream for DoD (Troop) Customers in the States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Zones

Title: Request for Information (RFI) for Fresh Milk, Dairy and Ice Cream Products support for DLA Troop Support to military customers in the States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Zones

Dear Valued Suppliers:

This is a Request for Information (“RFI”).  DLA Troop Support’s (“Agency”) Subsistence Produce Program is interested in comments and feedback regarding the Agency’s fresh milk, dairy, and ice cream items to Department of Defense (“DoD;” Troop). There is no solicitation available at this time.  The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government.  This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government and any information provided in response to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only and will not be released.  Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked.  Please note that by responding to the instant Agency request, a potential offeror is not promised any future business with the Government.  The sole purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to assist the Agency in crafting an appropriate solicitation in the future. 

Background: The Agency intends to issue a solicitation and ultimately enter into indefinite quantity contract(s) (“IQC”) with a commercial firm(s) to supply fresh Milk, Dairy and Ice Cream products to military customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Acceptance of supplies awarded under this solicitation will be limited to fresh product. All products delivered under this contract must conform to the following freshness requirements. Fluid dairy products and other dairy products shall have sufficient remaining shelf life commensurate with good commercial practice. Each container, carton, etc. shall have visible, legible and understandable “sell- by-date” or equivalent.

1. Milk, Whipping Cream (fresh), Cream (fresh) and Half-and-Half (fresh), Ice Milk Mix, Fresh (soft serve), Milk Shake Mix, Fresh (direct draw), Buttermilk and Eggnog must be delivered with a minimum 10 days shelf life remaining.

2. Whipping Cream (ultra-pasteurized), Half-and-Half (ultra-pasteurized) and Cream (ultra- pasteurized) must be delivered with a minimum 14 days shelf life remaining.

3. Cottage Cheese, cultured and acidified, normal and extended shelf life must be delivered with a minimum 14 days shelf life remaining.

4. Sour Cream must be delivered with a minimum 21 days shelf life remaining.

5. Yogurt must be delivered with a minimum of 18 days shelf life remaining.

6. Ice Cream must be delivered with a minimum 120 days shelf life remaining

All dairy facilities must be sanitarily approved and listed on the Food and Drug Administration Interstate Milk Shippers List.

When proposing in response to a solicitation, failure to propose the specified quality requirement per item as identified above may render an offeror’s proposal technically unacceptable.  This  consists of DoD/Troop customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi divided into five (5) possible groups: Group I - State of Arkansas Milk and Dairy, Group 2 - Fort Polk, LA Milk and Dairy, Group 3 - Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB) Milk and Dairy, Group 4 - State of Mississippi Milk and Dairy, and Group 5 - State of Mississippi Ice Cream. Separate awards are contemplated for each possible Group. Offerors are required to propose on all items in the Schedule of Items for each Group on which it offers.  Failure to do so may result in a proposal being deemed technically unacceptable and therefore excluded from further consideration for award.  Because the Contracting Officer is not obligated to initiate negotiations, when proposing to the solicitation each offeror shall submit its most competitive proposal for each Group it has chosen to propose on.  Said proposal shall be responsive to all of the Solicitation’s requirements and free of any deficiencies.

Proposed order period is for three (3) years divided into two (2) Tiers with the first Tier consisting of two (2) years and the second Tier consisting of one (1) year. If interested, we strongly encourage you to respond using the attached questionnaire. We appreciate and thank you in advance for any feedback. Your responses regarding this solicitation are requested back by the close of business on Tuesday May 24, 2022.  Please respond via e-mail to the following addresses: Joseph Forgach, Contracting Officer, joseph.forgach@dla.mil and/or Contract Specialist, Israel Rivera-Albelo, israel.rivera-albelo@dla.mil .