Fresh Produce - Request for Quote

The Colorado Department of Corrections is requesting quotes for fresh produce to supply seven correctional facility kitchens under Documented Quote DQ 2027000075, with quotes due August 26, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time and written inquiries due August 24, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

The scope spans thirty produce line items — fresh fruits (apples, bananas, cantaloupes, oranges, pears, watermelons, honeydew melons, peaches), vegetables (broccoli, cabbage varieties, carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, lettuce varieties, onions, bell peppers, radishes, tomatoes, yams, zucchini, squash, peppers), and potatoes — with quantities ranging from single units to 10,500 pounds of watermelon and 560 bags of russet potatoes. All produce must meet current USDA standards, be date-coded and labeled with identity and origin, and for certain items such as salad mix and shredded lettuce, retain minimum ten days shelf life upon delivery to the DOC Warehouse. Deliveries occur weekly to seven locations: Buena Vista Correctional Complex (August 31 by noon); Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, Central Warehouse, and Sterling Correctional Facility (September 1 with varying times); and Denver Women's Correctional Facility, Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center, and Limon Correctional Facility (September 2 with varying times). All delivery fees, shipping, and installation costs must be incorporated into unit pricing. Vendors may submit equal-specification products subject to nutritional approval and potential sample evaluation at vendor expense.

Award will be made to the responsible bidder whose acceptable quote is determined most advantageous to CDOC, with price as the primary consideration and sample quality and lead time as secondary factors. CDOC reserves the right to award to multiple bidders. There is no guaranteed order quantity or dollar amount; the purchase order covers only quantities ordered and delivered after award. Pricing must remain firm during the initial purchase order term; CDOC may elect an annual price increase not to exceed 2.5% per fiscal year, subject to mutual agreement.

Vendors must be registered in CORE through Vendor Self Service, complete enhanced criminal background investigations within 30 days of award, comply with facility security provisions including consent to search authorizations, and provide proof of good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and appropriate insurance certificates before purchase order execution. Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence is required; all insurers must have A.M. Best rating of "A" or better with financial size VII or better. Vendors must complete and submit required exhibits including vendor information (Exhibit B), W-9 (Exhibit C), price proposal (Exhibit D), contract performance disclosure (Exhibit E), non-conflict of interest attestation (Exhibit F), and consent to search (Exhibit G). Failure to deliver on three separate occasions may result in disqualification from future solicitations for three years or indefinitely.