Dairy Products

The Commonwealth of Virginia, specifically Carroll County and Chatham Town, is soliciting bids to establish a term contract for dairy products through an Invitation for Bid (IFB). The procurement seeks to create a pricing schedule with a qualified vendor for the purchase of dairy items, including milk, buttermilk, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Based on the IFB for Catawba Hospital, deliveries are expected 2-3 times per week, with strict requirements for product storage and transportation, including maintaining products at 41 degrees Fahrenheit and having a cold storage distribution warehouse within 50 miles of the delivery location. All dairy products must comply with federal and state regulatory standards, specifically Virginia Grade A milk regulations and FDA requirements. The bid is due by February 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, with the proposed contract term running from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026, and potential for three one-year renewals.

The procurement includes specific provisions for small business participation, with the Commonwealth targeting over 42% of purchases from businesses certified by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD). Bidders must either be DSBSD-certified or provide a detailed subcontracting plan that includes certified women-owned, minority-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. The state has a tiered award approach, first considering DSBSD-certified micro businesses for bids up to $10,000 and small businesses for bids up to $100,000, provided prices are fair and reasonable. If these criteria are not met, awards will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Pricing must remain firm for 30 days, with potential adjustments based on the Northeast Marketing Area market bulletin for milk prices and Consumer Price Index (CPI) for non-milk products during renewal periods. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the minimum order value is set at $100.00, with transportation costs added for orders below this threshold.