Amendment to Solicitation Notice: Fresh Fruit & Vegetable support for DoD and Non-DoD customers located in the state of Montana

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support is soliciting indefinite quantity contracts (IQCs) to supply United States Department of Agriculture Grade Number 1 or better quality fresh fruits, vegetables, and shell eggs to Department of Defense and USDA school customers located throughout Montana. The solicitation (SPE30026R0022) seeks commercial firms capable of providing delivered-in-place pricing across a 24-month base period with two additional 18-month evaluation tiers. Key contract requirements include compliance with the Subsistence Total Ordering and Receipt Electronic System (STORES) for EDI transactions, submission of pricing for all 75 combined line items across Montana schools and reservations, and adherence to rigorous quality assurance standards including unannounced Quality Systems Management Visits and at least one Produce Quality Audit per contract period conducted by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service personnel. Evaluation will assess vendor pricing, quality program capabilities, facility management, product rotation practices, and ability to maintain traceability documentation from grower to delivery. The original closing date of March 30, 2026 has been extended to May 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM, with all other terms and conditions remaining unchanged.

This solicitation carries no set-aside designations and is open to unrestricted small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business classifications. The estimated combined quantity across the 24-month base period is 69,798 cases, with 57 line items designated for Montana schools and 18 line items for Montana reservations, encompassing numerous apple varieties, fresh vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, onions, potatoes, spinach), fresh fruits (cantaloupes, honeydew melons, kiwifruit, oranges, pears), and shell eggs where applicable. Performance of work will occur throughout Montana, with delivery locations spanning over 260 school facilities and educational institutions in Section 1A and six tribal/reservation-based locations serving Montana Native American communities in Section 1B. Contractors must be prepared to undergo quality audits at an estimated cost of approximately $1,000 in product samples and facility expenses, with a minimum acceptable performance standard of 85 percent acceptability per commodity. No incumbent contractor information or specific budget ranges are disclosed in the solicitation materials.