Dog Food - DOC-EHCC

The State of Louisiana's Office of State Procurement, specifically for the Louisiana Department of Corrections' Elayn Hunt Correctional Center located in Iberville Parish, is seeking a Blanket Order Contract for dog food through Invitation to Bid (ITB) Number 3000024961. The procurement requires 490 bags of Exclusive Performance 30/20 Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food, with each bag weighing 35 pounds. The dog food must meet specific nutritional requirements, including 30% protein and 20% fat, and be formulated without wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives. This is a proprietary purchase, meaning only the specified brand and model will be considered. The initial contract period will be from July 1, 2025, or the date of award, through June 30, 2026, with potential renewal options for two additional 12-month periods, not to exceed a total of 36 months. The bid opening is scheduled for July 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST, with both electronic and non-electronic submission options available. Vendors must be prepared to deliver the dog food within 2-3 days after receipt of order, with unit pricing including all freight charges.

The procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. However, the bid documents indicate Louisiana preferences that may provide advantages to vendors with Louisiana-based workforces or those producing, manufacturing, or processing products within the state. Bidders can receive preferences for Louisiana products, further processed Louisiana products, and United States-manufactured items, with cost differentials ranging from 5% to 10% depending on the specific preference category. The State will award the contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder meeting the specifications, reserving the right to reject individual line items and adjust quantities as needed throughout the contract period. Payment will be processed using electronic payment solutions, including the LaCarte procurement card for purchases under $5,000 and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for other transactions. While no specific budget range is detailed, the procurement is for 490 bags of specialized dog food, suggesting a moderate-value contract. The blanket order contract does not guarantee any specific quantity of purchase, providing flexibility for the Department of Corrections.