Edible crop seed

The South Carolina Department of Corrections issued a Request for Quote (RFQ) for edible crop seed procurement for its Agricultural Branch, located in Richland County. The solicitation encompasses seventeen line items of vegetable seeds, including collards, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, and other produce varieties. Specific requirements include new seed items to be delivered on an F.O.B. Destination basis, with quantities ranging from 1 to 105 bags depending on the line item. The procurement was officially issued on February 28, 2024, with sealed bids due on March 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch in Columbia. Evaluation criteria focused on identifying the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with unit prices governing award determination. Bidders were required to submit precise unit prices for each line item, and all deliveries must be completed within thirty days of purchase order receipt to the SCDC-Agricultural Branch Walden Farm.

The solicitation allowed for South Carolina and U.S. end-product preferences, with vendors able to claim resident vendor preferences under South Carolina Code Section 11-35-1524, provided all requirements were met. The contract was ultimately awarded to R.D. Clifton Company, Inc., located in Faison, North Carolina, with a total evaluated and awarded amount of $72,001.68. Unit pricing varied significantly, ranging from $2.80 to $2,101.80 per bag depending on seed variety and quantity. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly noted in the documentation. Payment will be processed via electronic funds transfer following invoice submission and goods acceptance. The contract includes standard state terms and conditions, with provisions for contract termination, fixed pricing throughout the contract duration, and compliance with South Carolina procurement regulations. Vendors retain the right to protest the award in accordance with Section 11-35-4210 of the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code.