5011-OMHSAS WESH-Proteins-Oct-Dec 26

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is soliciting proposals for protein supply to Wernersville State Hospital in Berks County for the period October through December 2026, with proposals due August 17, 2026.

The scope encompasses meat, poultry, and fish commodities with detailed specifications across 48 meat line items (beef, veal, pork, lamb, and processed products), a comprehensive poultry range (fresh and frozen chicken parts, whole turkeys, turkey preparations, turkey-based products, and breaded poultry items), and eleven fish and seafood items (fish loins, portions, sticks, battered products, seafood patties, nuggets, and specialty items such as imitation crabmeat and baby salad shrimp). All products must meet USDA Grade A quality standards. Meat items must comply with USDA Institutional Meat Purchase (IMP) standards and FSIS regulations. Fish products require Federal Inspection (P.U.F.I.) certification. Poultry and fish items must be packaged in moisture-proof or moisture/vapor-proof containers with specified maximum case weights and layer packing. Fish flesh content varies by product type (48 to 65 percent by weight). The Commonwealth reserves the right to adjust delivery quantities with fifteen days' notice.

Bidders must certify compliance with Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law, Workers' Compensation Law, and thirteen state labor and workforce safety statutes under Executive Order 2021-06, including provisions on minimum wage, prevailing wage, equal pay, workplace misclassification, child labor, and apprenticeship. Bidders must also satisfy the Reciprocal Limitations Act requirements governing bidder eligibility and competitive participation restrictions. False certifications result in immediate contract termination and a three-year debarment from future state contracts.

Suppliers must provide production dates and product shelf-life or "use by/sell by" dates. Pricing is submitted on a per-unit basis, primarily per pound, with total costs calculated by the facility based on quantities specified at the institutional level. Non-compliance with specifications results in rejection.