DHS-SP-Ludeman - Deli-Style Salads Annual Contract FY25/26

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a vendor to provide deli-style salads for the Elisabeth Ludeman Center located in Park Forest, Cook County, Illinois. The procurement, identified as BidBuy Bid #B-46101, requires the selected vendor to deliver fresh salads on a weekly basis, including nine varieties such as potato salads, coleslaws, chicken salad, tuna salad, and bean salads. The contract will cover a period through December 31, 2025, with deliveries to be made Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Key requirements include maintaining a 21-day shelf life for salads, keeping product temperatures at 41 degrees or below during delivery, and ensuring each salad contains no more than 600mg of sodium per 4-ounce serving. Vendors must submit weekly orders via an Order for Delivery Form one week prior to serving, and may be required to provide product samples at no cost during the bidding process. The solicitation was posted on January 15, 2025, with proposals due by January 22, 2025, and all shipping and handling costs will be the responsibility of the awarded vendor.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the Standard Illinois Certifications document indicates potential requirements for vendors, including compliance with minority business enterprise provisions and various state regulations. Vendors must certify they are not in default on educational loans, have no recent felony convictions, are not delinquent in state debt, and comply with the Drug Free Workplace Act. The contract appears to be open to qualified vendors who can meet the technical specifications and delivery requirements. Although no specific budget range is provided, the procurement involves weekly deliveries of approximately 140-170 pounds of salads per delivery across four rotating weekly menus. Vendors will need to demonstrate the ability to consistently produce high-quality, compliant deli-style salads and meet the rigorous delivery and documentation requirements outlined in the specification documents. The contract represents an annual procurement for the Elisabeth Ludeman Center's food service needs, with potential for ongoing renewal based on performance and satisfaction.