1148-August Produce

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, specifically for SCI-Graterford, is seeking a vendor to provide fresh produce for the month of August 2016, with the procurement covering Montgomery County and Arona Borough. The Invitation for Bid (IFB) details a comprehensive produce requirement including multiple fruit and vegetable items such as oranges, apples, bananas, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, celery, cucumbers, onions, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. The bid solicitation specifies total estimated quantities ranging from 9 to 450 cases per item, with all pricing to be FOB destination and no additional charges permitted after contract award. The bid is due on July 28, 2016, by 10:00 AM, with a bidding process that requires vendors to complete a Reciprocal Limitations Agreement and submit it alongside their proposal. Evaluation will focus on total bid amount, with the contract to be awarded on a lump-sum basis, and bid results to be posted on the state's emarketplace website.

The procurement is specifically set aside for small businesses, with strict requirements that the selected vendor must perform at least 60% of the work in-house and provide proof of active certification with their bid submission. Vendors must include detailed product specifications and comply with general requirements surrounding inspections, potential product rejections, and invoicing protocols. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive produce list suggests a moderate-value contract for August 2016. The procurement appears to be limited to small businesses that can demonstrate capability in large-scale produce supply, with an emphasis on local or state-certified small business enterprises. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that might require integration with the new contract.