Fresh Produce - Request for Quote

The Colorado Department of Corrections is soliciting bids on fresh produce under a Documented Quote (DQ 2026000501) with quotes due June 3, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. MST, and written inquiries due by June 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. MST. Award is estimated for June 3, 2026, with Purchase Order execution and start date both anticipated on June 3, 2026.

The scope covers fresh produce delivery to seven correctional facilities: Buena Vista Correctional Complex, Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, Central Warehouse, Sterling Correctional Facility, Denver Women's Correctional Facility, Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center, and Limon Correctional Facility. Deliveries are staggered June 8–10, 2026, with site-specific arrival windows between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The produce list includes fruits (apples, bananas, oranges, pears), vegetables (cabbage, carrots, celery, lettuce, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, yams, squash), and salad mix. All food must meet current USDA standards for specified grades, be properly labeled with identity and origin, and be date coded with a minimum shelf life of at least 10 days upon delivery. Brand substitutions are not accepted. Vendors must provide three calendar days' written notice of any inability to meet delivery schedules; three non-deliveries within the agreed timeframe may result in disqualification from future solicitations for three years or indefinitely.

Pricing is all-inclusive, F.O.B. Destination, with all shipping and delivery costs incorporated into line-item pricing. Pricing must remain firm during the Purchase Order term. Price is the primary award criterion; sample quality and lead time for delivery are secondary factors. Bidders must register with the Colorado Vendor Self-Service portal and submit through BidnetDirect. Bidders must complete W-9, proof of insurance, and Enhanced Criminal Background Investigation within 30 days of award. All bidders must disclose any services performed outside Colorado or the United States, any contract defaults or terminations within five years, and any litigation history with the State. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) bidders must provide U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certification documentation. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and appropriate Workers Compensation coverage.