Friends and Family Package Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a vendor to implement a comprehensive Friends and Family Package Program for inmates across all State Correctional Institutions (SCIs) in the state. This electronic bid opportunity requires vendors to provide a wide range of food, beverage, and miscellaneous items for inmate packages, with detailed specifications outlined in the Cost Matrix documents. The solicitation requires electronic bid submissions through the Pennsylvania Supplier Portal, with registered vendors only eligible to participate. Key bid dates include a bid submission deadline of December 20, 2023, at 4:00 PM EST, with questions accepted until December 15, 2023, at 4:00 PM EST. Evaluation criteria will involve assessing overall total cost, with pricing determined by the sum of price per ounce for food items, and the contract is set to be effective January 1, 2024. Vendors must carefully follow the bidding instructions, complete all required forms including the Reciprocal Limitations Act Requirement form, and adhere to specific product specifications, such as the requirement to bid on one of three specified coffee brands (Taster's Choice, Maxwell House, or Folgers).

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly detailed in the provided documentation. The sales summary indicates the program currently serves multiple State Correctional Institutions, suggesting a potential substantial volume of business for the awarded vendor. While an incumbent vendor is not directly identified, the sales history document covering July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, provides insights into historical package program volumes. The solicitation covers jurisdictions including Cumberland County and Camp Hill Borough, with the potential to serve inmates across Pennsylvania's correctional system. Though specific award values are not disclosed, the comprehensive cost matrix and sales summary suggest a potentially significant contract value. Vendors must be prepared to provide a diverse range of packaged items meeting strict DOC specifications, with the ability to integrate into the existing electronic ordering and distribution infrastructure of the Pennsylvania correctional system.