Corrugated Boxes for Meat and Poultry Products

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for corrugated boxes used in packaging and shipping frozen meat and poultry products at the Enterprise Meat Processing Plant in Lillington, NC. The procurement seeks approximately 540,000 corrugated cartons (180,000 per year) with specific technical requirements including single wall B flute construction, 32 ECT rating, and food-grade barrier coating on the interior surface. Bidders must provide boxes with precise printing for packing information and handling instructions, and deliver shipments within 30 consecutive calendar days after receiving a purchase order. The bid is scheduled to be opened on December 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET, with deliveries accepted only Monday through Thursday between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM ET. Vendors must be registered with North Carolina's Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) and provide proof of financial stability, insurance, and three customer references. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder meeting all specified requirements, with a proposed contract term of three years from the final execution date.

The state demonstrates a commitment to diversity by encouraging participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), with a goal of 10% utilization. Vendors must submit comprehensive documentation, including financial records and customer references, to be considered for the contract. The previous contract was awarded to DS Smith Packaging at $0.788 per box, with the most recent purchase in October 2024 at $1.056 per box for 15,000 boxes, suggesting a potential annual contract value around $189,000 to $190,080. The state will provide the cutting die to the awarded vendor, and while a comprehensive CAD drawing for the die is not available, a CAD drawing for box construction will be provided to the successful bidder. This procurement represents an opportunity for qualified vendors to supply critical packaging materials for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's meat processing operations, with a focus on quality, reliability, and competitive pricing.