Cheese

The State of California, Department of General Services, Procurement Division is soliciting bids to establish a statewide mandatory cheese contract serving all State of California departments, with bids due September 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM PT and a bidders' conference on September 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM PT via Microsoft Teams.

Bidders may pursue one or both product groups but must bid all line items within any group selected: Group 1 (processed and natural cheeses including American pasteurized sliced, Swiss sliced, Cheddar, Low Sodium Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella low-moisture part-skim, and Parmesan grated) with estimated two-year spend of $3.26 million, and Group 2 (individually wrapped one-ounce mozzarella string cheese) with estimated two-year spend of $1.20 million. Delivery spans approximately 49 Northern and Southern state facilities including correctional institutions, state hospitals, and educational facilities across California.

All cheese must comply with 21 CFR 110 Good Manufacturing Practices, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, FDA trans-fat limits (less than 0.5 grams per serving), and non-animal derived rennet standards. California-based facilities must hold a Processed Food Registration Certificate from the California Department of Public Health or Department of Food and Agriculture, with compliance required within ten calendar days after bid opening. Out-of-state facilities must provide FDA or USDA on-site inspection documentation (or third-party certifications including BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000, AIB International, or equivalent) within fourteen months prior to bid due. Products require minimum shelf life equal to the delivery cycle plus 15 calendar days and must be packaged in commercially acceptable containers not exceeding 50 pounds per case.

The contract carries a two-year initial term with two optional one-year extension periods. Pricing uses a fixed differential plus USDA Dairy Market News Block prices with monthly supplements issued by DGS-PD; core prices are firm fixed for the initial term with no adjustments permitted. Minimum delivery is 200 pounds at F.O.B. destination prepaid by contractor. Socioeconomic preferences include a 5% small business preference, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise incentive (no minimum participation required), Small Business Nonprofit Veteran Services Agencies preference, Non-Small Business Subcontractor Preference, and Target Area Contract Preference Act optional preference. Award goes to the responsive and responsible lowest bidder. CAL-Card payment acceptance is mandatory, and contractors must report monthly contract usage and subcontractor participation. Addendum 1 was issued September 2, 2026, revising Attachment 3 (Narrative Response).