Canned Fruit

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, specifically the Department of Corrections, is soliciting bids for a statewide contract to supply canned fruit products to all State Correctional Institutions. The procurement opportunity, with Solicitation Number 6000195350, seeks approximately 120,000 cases of various canned fruit items including apples, applesauce, fruit cocktail, peaches, pears, pineapple, and fruit mix. The initial contract term is set for one year, beginning July 1, 2012, with four potential one-year renewal options. Bidders must be authorized by the manufacturer or an authorized contractor to sell the proposed products and provide supporting documentation. The bid opening is scheduled for May 8, 2012, at 1:30 pm, with vendors required to submit comprehensive pricing for both 3-month and 6-month delivery schedules. Evaluation criteria include product specifications, manufacturer approval, pricing, delivery capability, and the ability to meet minimum fill rates and delivery requirements across multiple correctional facilities.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly detailed in the documents. The solicitation appears open to any qualified vendors capable of meeting the stringent product and delivery specifications. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the Commonwealth reserves the right to require additional product information from bidders after submission and to select either the 3-month or 6-month pricing schedule at the time of award. The total estimated annual usage value appears to be significant, with pricing to be submitted on a per-unit basis across multiple product categories. Vendors must provide detailed information about proposed manufacturers, comply with packaging and palletizing requirements, and be prepared for potential random product testing. The contract includes provisions for product replacement, quarterly meetings, and specific delivery protocols for the various State Correctional Institutions listed in the attachment documents.