Dried Legumes

The California Department of General Services is requesting bids on dried legumes for a mandatory statewide contract serving the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of State Hospitals, with bids due October 14, 2026. This is an IFB with physical bid submission only; electronic submissions are not permitted. A bidder conference will be held; registration details are in the solicitation document.

Bidders must comply with stringent food safety and inspection requirements. California-based manufacturers, warehouses, and suppliers must obtain California Department of Public Health registration within ten calendar days of bid opening. Out-of-state facilities must provide evidence of federal or approved third-party inspection within fourteen months prior to the bid due date with a satisfactory overall assessment rating. All dried legumes must meet USDA U.S. Grade No. 2 or better and be inspected and certified by the USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service in final packaging, with official grade certificates issued no more than twelve months before delivery. Products must be supplied in 50-pound multi-wall bags and comply with 21 CFR 110 Current Good Manufacturing Practice standards and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Frozen legumes require polyurethane wrapping and zero-degree Fahrenheit storage; chilled products require 35–45 degrees Fahrenheit. All products must provide a minimum of 120 calendar days post-delivery shelf life from acceptance. Contractors with refrigeration systems containing more than fifty pounds of high-global warming potential refrigerant must comply with California Air Resources Board leak inspection and reporting requirements.

The scope covers eight dried bean classes (Light Red Kidney, Dark Red Kidney, Baby Lima, Pink, Pinto, Small Red, Small White, and Black-eye), green split peas, and brown lentils. Bidders must complete a pricing worksheet, provide a narrative response addressing Iran Contracting Act certifications, California small business and DVBE preference claims, Cal Card acceptance, and distribution plans. Questions must be submitted in writing to the DGS-PD Procurement Official. Protest rights are subject to the Alternative Protest Process; notice of intent to protest must be submitted to PDProtest@dgs.ca.gov or (916) 376-6226 before the close of business on the last day of the protest period.