Dried Fruits and Nuts

The County of Santa Clara's Office of the Sheriff, Department of Correction - Food Services is seeking bids for a five-year contract to provide dried fruits and nuts for the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, California. The procurement solicitation (ITB-PRC-FY26-0567) requires vendors to bid on five specific product lines: dried raisins (5,880 cases annually), dried cranberries (5,880 cases annually), dried tropical fruit mix blend (3,000 cases annually), walnuts in 30-pound boxes (2,000 boxes annually), and pecans in 30-pound boxes (2,000 boxes annually). All products must meet strict specifications, including single-serve 1.5-ounce packaging for fruits with 110-125 calories per serving and no added sugar, and nuts must be produced, processed, and packed within the Western United States with preference given to California-based suppliers. The solicitation includes a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on January 16, 2025, at 10:00 am PST via teleconference, with a question and answer deadline of January 19, 2026, at 3:00 pm PT. Bids must be submitted electronically through the County's e-sourcing system by January 27, 2026, at 3:00 pm PT, with the contract to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The procurement opportunity includes a five percent local business preference for vendors with meaningful production capability within Santa Clara County. Bidders must comply with various local and state requirements, including equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, wage theft prevention laws, and the Levine Act, which requires disclosure of political contributions. All contractor personnel requiring facility access must obtain security clearance, pass background checks at the contractor's expense, and adhere to strict security protocols for correctional facilities, including prohibitions on communication with inmates and restrictions on bringing items into the facility. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the estimated annual quantities suggest a significant contract value. The solicitation is an all-or-none bid, meaning vendors must provide pricing on all five line items to be considered for award. Pricing shall be firm and fixed for the first year, with the option for negotiated percentage increases in subsequent years, and the contract includes comprehensive terms and conditions governing delivery, performance, and compliance with County regulations.