Sources sought for Arkansas fresh bread buy

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 bread and bakeries 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 bread and bakery products to military customers in Arkansas. These include various fresh baked breads, minimum 16 ounces per loaf and various fresh baked rolls, minimum 6 per package. Freshness requirements will be as follows: 1. Bread, Cakes, Doughnuts, Muffins, Pies and Rolls must be delivered no more than 24 hours after baking. Following a non-bake day, these items must be delivered no more than 72 hours after baking. 2. Brown and Serve Rolls must be delivered within 36 hours after production. 3. Bakery products shall include mold inhibitors of the proper level as allowed by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). 4. Commercial standards should be used to maintain temperatures appropriate for the individual items.

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 will consist of DoD/Troop customers in Arkansas primarily focusing on the Little Rock and Fort Smith areas. After soliciting, the Agency intends to make one award.  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 from any deficiencies.

Proposed contract ordering period is August 19, 2018 to August 22, 2020. 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 May 3, 2018.  Please respond via e-mail to the following addresses: Michelle Moore, Contracting Officer, michelle.j.moore@dla.mil.