Fresh Produce - Request for Quote

The Colorado Department of Corrections is soliciting quotes for fresh produce to supply multiple correctional facilities with deliveries scheduled for July 20–22, 2026, under Documented Quote 2027000007, with quotes due July 15, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

The scope encompasses thirty produce commodities—including apples (337 boxes), bananas (207 boxes), oranges (217 boxes), carrots (132 bags), onions (124 bags), bell peppers (125 boxes), potatoes (780 bags), celery (65 cartons), and salad mix (243 cases)—delivered to seven facilities: Buena Vista Correctional Complex (July 20 before noon), Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, Central Warehouse, and Sterling Correctional Facility (July 21), and Denver Women's Correctional Facility, Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center, and Limon Correctional Facility (July 22). All produce must meet current USDA standards for the required grades, be properly labeled with identity and origin, and be date coded. Salad mix and shredded lettuce must have a minimum of ten days shelf life upon delivery to the CDOC warehouse. All pricing shall be F.O.B. Destination all-inclusive; bidders must factor shipping costs into quotes with no additional surcharges. Brand substitutions are not accepted. Product samples may be required at bidder expense for items not previously approved by CDOC. Bidders must provide minimum three calendar days' written notice if unable to meet delivery schedules; failure to deliver on three separate occasions may result in three-year or indefinite disqualification from future solicitations.

Award will be made to the responsible bidder whose acceptable quote is most advantageous to CDOC, with price as the primary consideration and sample quality and lead time as secondary factors. Pricing must remain firm during the initial term of the purchase order. Written inquiries are due July 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.; responses will be published July 14, 2026. The anticipated notice of intent to award is July 15, 2026. All contractors must complete CDOC Enhanced Criminal Background Investigation within 30 days of award and comply with facility security provisions including consent to search authorization. Bidders must register with Bidnet Direct, be registered in CORE before purchase order execution, submit Exhibits A through F and a W-9 form, and comply with conflict-of-interest attestations and non-conflict certifications under Colorado Revised Statutes 18-8-302, 18-8-306, 18-8-301, and 18-8-308. Standard insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum with the State named as additional insured.