Canned sliced carrots

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the procurement of 7,616 cases of canned sliced carrots, with an estimated annual quantity of 952 cases per load, to be delivered to the NC Department of Adult Correction-Roanoke River Farm Enfield Warehouse located at 1245 Dennis Street Ext, Enfield, NC 27823. The product must meet USDA Grade A standards and include a USDA Certificate of Quality and Condition with each delivery, maintain drained weight compliance with USDA Recommended Minimum Drained Weight standards, originate from the 2025 crop with a minimum 12-month shelf life from pack date, be low sodium (no salt added is acceptable), contain no pork or pork additives, and be clearly labeled with ingredients, nutritional values, and allergens. The canned sliced carrots must be packaged as six #10 cans per case and palletized at 56 cases per pallet with shrink wrapping. The initial contract term is one year from the effective date of contract execution, with the State holding the option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms with written notice of intent to renew required no later than 30 days before the end of each term. The first purchase order quantity of 7,616 cases must be delivered within four weeks, and ongoing deliveries are expected within thirty consecutive calendar days after purchase order receipt during normal business hours of 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Written questions must be submitted by February 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET, with the State providing responses by February 17, 2026, and bids are due February 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, with public bid opening conducted via Microsoft Teams. Vendors must be NC-registered in good standing, provide three customer references for similar commodity supplies, and demonstrate financial stability through certification while submitting pricing on an FOB Destination basis with all transportation costs included and firm pricing for one year from the contract effective date.

Vendors must comply with all state requirements including E-Verify employment verification, PREA standards, alcohol and drug-free workplace policies, and achieve HUB participation goals of 10% diverse firm utilization. The prior awarded bid under contract 19-IFB-458857606-SDD-DAC was $22.78 per case for a total contract value of $130,119.36, awarded to Robbins Sales Co. Inc. for Port Royal brand product, which serves as a reference point for the anticipated award value of this procurement. Based on the previous contract value and the same quantity requirement of 7,616 cases, the total award value for this contract is expected to be approximately $130,000 to $135,000, though actual award amounts will depend on competitive bidding and pricing submitted by qualified vendors. There are no specific set-aside designations mentioned for disadvantaged enterprises, though the 10% HUB participation goal encourages involvement of historically underutilized businesses in the overall procurement process.