Dried Fruits and Nuts

The County of Santa Clara, California, is soliciting bids through Invitation to Bids (ITB-PRC-FY26-0617) for the provision of dried fruits and nuts to support the County's Office of the Sheriff, Department of Correction - Food Services at Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. The procurement requires vendors to supply five line items on an all-or-none basis: dried raisins (5,880 cases annually containing 150 individual 1.5 oz packets per case), dried cranberries (1,000 cases annually), dried tropical fruit mix blend (3,000 cases annually), walnuts in 30-pound boxes (1,000 boxes annually), and pecans in 30-pound boxes (1,000 boxes annually). All dried fruit products must meet nutritional specifications of 110-125 calories per serving with zero added sugars and comply with Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations. Walnut and pecan pieces must be unsalted, chopped to approximately 1/8-1/4 inch pieces, and sourced from the Western United States with priority given to California. Vendors must deliver products with a lead time of 10 to 15 days after order receipt, with deliveries accepted Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., excluding County holidays, on an FOB Destination basis with freight prepaid. The contract term spans five years with pricing firm and fixed for Year 1 and optional annual price increases in Years 2-5 capped at a maximum percentage rate specified by the bidder at submission. Qualified vendors must maintain adequate inventory, provide samples at no cost within five days of request, designate a dedicated account representative, maintain customer service availability Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, conduct business electronically through the County's SCC-Ariba Procure-to-Pay system, and issue detailed monthly invoices. The County will conduct a public bid opening and award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Critical deadlines include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on February 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time via teleconference; a Question and Answer deadline of February 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time; and bid submissions due by February 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time through the County's electronic solicitation platform.

This procurement includes a local business preference of five percent, available to vendors meeting the definition of having meaningful production capability within Santa Clara County; the preference is applied by subtracting five percent from a local bidder's total bid price to determine the lowest responsive responsible bidder, with contract award at the local business's original bid price if it becomes the lowest after the discount. Bidders must complete and submit a Declaration Submittal Form with Local Preference, a completed ITB Bidders Representation form certifying the accuracy of their bid information and 90-day offer validity, and the Bid Response Form with unit pricing for Year 1 and a maximum percentage increase rate for Years 2-5. All contractor personnel accessing the detention facility must comply with mandatory security and conduct requirements, including background checks and security clearances at the contractor's expense, adherence to approved dress codes, prohibition of individuals under 18 without prior authorization, and restrictions on prohibited items including firearms, explosives, controlled substances, weapons, and recording devices. Contractors are prohibited from engaging in business transactions with inmates, bringing unauthorized items into facilities, entering while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and engaging in harassment or sexual misconduct. Payment terms are Net 30 days from invoice approval, with the County retaining broad rights to inspect and reject nonconforming goods and recover associated costs. No incumbent vendor or budget range is specified in the solicitation documents. Bidders must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, and those found in violation within five years prior to bid submission may be disqualified.