Frozen Vegetables

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is seeking a competitive bid for frozen vegetables to be used at its Enterprise Meat Processing Plant through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered 52-IFB-1539077899-WZM. The procurement targets seven specific frozen vegetable items: Broccoli Cuts, California Mix, Peas and Carrots, Oriental Blend, Country Mix, Spinach, and Unbreaded Okra, with estimated total quantities ranging from 80,000 to 420,000 pounds per item. The contract will be a six-month agency-specific term contract running from July 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026, with a potential six-month renewal option. Bidders must provide USDA Grade A, Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) products that are from the latest season's pack and no more than 120 days old at delivery. The bid is due on May 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET, with a Microsoft Teams bid opening meeting, and the state reserves the right to award to a single or multiple vendors based on lowest responsive pricing. Vendors are required to submit manufacturer product labels, nutritional analysis, a Letter of Guarantee, and a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

The procurement encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) and requires vendors to complete various certifications regarding financial stability, worker location, and federal grant compliance. The previous contract was awarded to Paris Foods Corporation with a total contract value of $1,355,600.00, with per-pound prices ranging from $0.80 to $1.25 across different vegetable items. Specific packaging requirements and product labeling standards are mandated, and vendors must demonstrate compliance with detailed product specifications. While no explicit restrictions are placed on vendor types beyond the HUB encouragement, vendors will need to meet rigorous quality control and documentation requirements. The procurement is specific to Halifax County and the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, targeting a critical food supply need for the state's correctional food service infrastructure. The estimated contract value suggests a significant opportunity for vendors in the frozen vegetable supply market, with potential for future contract extensions and continued business relationships.