Request for Information

 -How are delivered prices formulated?  What additional costs are added to the growers invoice that factor into formulating a delivered price?

 -  The majority of vendors indicated pricing is based on previous week's prices.  To ensure compliance with Price Audits, vendors must be able to produce an invoice, or invoices, that supports its delivered price. Does your company use average of previous week's prices or last invoice price, or other method? 

 -All vendors and buying groups must be able to provide a manufacturer/grower invoice to substantiate the delivered price.  Failure to comply may result in the proposal being deemed technically unacceptable.  There must be full transparency in formulating pricing.  Can you comply with this requirement?

 -It is expected that if the move to base the following week's catalog prices on the previous week's actual prices paid to its suppliers is made, that the vendor be able to provide an actual invoice, and not a quote.  Quotes, screen prints, or other computer print-outs will not be allowed.  Can you comply with this requirement?

 -Fixed pricing works on some items, e.g bagged salads, baby carrots, hardy items.  The distribution fee will be fixed on all items, but may vary per group.  What length of time would be you be willing to offer for fixed pricing?  1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or longer?  Or not at all?

 - It is recognized that the use of a buying group comes at a cost.  This cost must be reasonable.  However, the rebates offered from buying groups which are attributable to sales to Government customers MUST be passed on to our customers in the form of an off-invoice discount.  Our research indicates that all buying groups offer some form of rebate and we will require that this amount be subtracted from the delivered price of the product.  Can you comply with this requirement?