Cheese, Shredded

The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) Purchasing/Contracts Division has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the procurement of Shredded Cheese Blend, targeting delivery to their Central Distribution Center in Salem, Oregon. The solicitation seeks approximately 80,000 pounds of shredded cheese, with delivery scheduled in two full truckload increments over a 45-day period following order receipt. Specific product specifications include detailed requirements for cheese types, sodium content, and packaging standards. Bidders must provide pricing per pound and indicate their ability to meet the 5% preference for Oregon goods and services or for resident bidders headquartered in Oregon. The bid closing date is January 11, 2022, with a strict provision that no protests will be allowed under this procurement. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, responsibility, and lowest pricing, with the contract to be awarded on a line item, group, or all-or-none basis. Bidders must adhere to comprehensive inspection, rejection, warranty, delivery, and payment terms outlined in the ITB documentation.

The ITB does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. While the solicitation emphasizes a preference for Oregon-based businesses, no mandatory requirements for minority-owned, women-owned, or small business participation are detailed in the provided documentation. The procurement appears open to any qualified vendor capable of meeting the technical specifications and delivery requirements. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing contractual relationships. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the estimated procurement volume of 80,000 pounds suggests a potentially significant contract value. Interested vendors must carefully review the technical specifications, demonstrate capability to meet delivery timelines, and provide competitive pricing to be considered for award. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with ODOC reserving the right to make selections on a flexible basis across line items or the entire bid.