Fresh, Sliced Bread

The Illinois Department of Corrections is requesting bids for fresh, sliced bread for Illinois River Correctional Center under solicitation 27-426DOC-ILRIV-B-54502, with bids due November 10, 2026 and questions due October 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. A Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation goal of 17% and a Veterans Business Program (VBP) participation goal of 1% apply; bidders must submit completed BEP and VBP Utilization Plans with their bids or face disqualification.

The scope is fresh, not frozen, sliced white bread in 20-ounce loaves with 12 loaves per case, individually wrapped, sealed, and palletized. Deliveries are F.O.B. Destination to the facility at 1300 West Locust Street, Canton, Illinois, Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST, excluding state holidays. All bread must comply with state and local food safety regulations and maintain a minimum seven-day shelf life upon delivery.

The contract term runs from December 24, 2026 through December 27, 2028 (two years, no renewals) for a total of approximately 359,840 cases (3,460 cases per week). Pricing is firm for the first twelve months; a one-time price adjustment is allowable after month twelve based on the U.S. Department of Labor's Producer Price Index for Bakery Product Manufacturing, not to exceed 10 percent increase or decrease. Vendors must demonstrate U.S. manufacturing unless specific exceptions apply (availability, 12 percent price differential, quality, or public interest). Bidders must provide general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence with $2 million annual aggregate and auto liability of $1 million per occurrence.

Bids must include Vendor Disclosure (or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure for registered vendors), Offer to the State of Illinois, contract acknowledgment, and both Utilization Plans. The State will award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder. A $15 administrative fee applies to contracts valued at $1,000 or more, deducted from the first State Comptroller payment. The contract may be partially or wholly funded with federal funds.