Fresh Produce - Request for Quote

The Colorado Department of Corrections is requesting quotes for fresh produce to supply correctional facility kitchens, with quotes due October 28, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Award is anticipated for October 28, 2026.

Delivery occurs across seven CDOC 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 — with staggered delivery dates November 2–4, 2026, within specified time windows. The order specifies approximately 30 produce items including apples (462 boxes), bananas (209 boxes), oranges (218 boxes), russet potatoes (665 bags), and other vegetables and fruits with detailed sizing, grading, and shelf-life requirements. All commodities must meet current USDA standards, be date coded, and conform to brand specifications; no substitutions are permitted without prior CDOC authorization. Bidders must provide samples at their own expense if requested; samples will not be returned.

Pricing must be itemized, all-inclusive of delivery fees and shipping, and firm for the purchase order term. No order quantities or dollar amounts are guaranteed. The CDOC reserves the right to award to multiple bidders. Price is the primary evaluation criterion; sample quality and lead time are secondary factors. Vendors disqualified for three non-deliveries within agreed timeframes may be excluded from all future CDOC solicitations for three years or indefinitely. Vendors must provide three calendar days' written notice if unable to meet delivery schedules.

Award is contingent on vendors registering with the Colorado Secretary of State; providing proof of Good Standing; completing enhanced criminal background investigations within 30 days of notification; registering with the Colorado CORE system; submitting insurance certificates (general liability, product liability, workers' compensation); and executing Consent to Search authorizations and Non-Conflict of Interest certifications. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses must submit VA certification if applicable. Written questions are due October 26, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with responses published by October 27, 2026. No pre-bid conference is scheduled.