Frozen Vegetables

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement of frozen vegetables to supply the Enterprise Meat Processing Plant. The solicitation seeks six frozen vegetable items: broccoli cuts, California mix, peas and carrots, oriental blend, country mix vegetables, and spinach. All products must be individually quick frozen (IQF), meet USDA Grade A standards, be produced within 120 days of delivery, and comply with FDA food safety requirements including HACCP certification. The contract will have an initial term of six months beginning July 1, 2026, with an optional renewal for an additional six-month term starting January 1, 2027, contingent upon written notice 30 days prior to term expiration. Bidders must submit responses through the Ariba Sourcing Tool by June 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, with bids to be publicly opened via Microsoft Teams on the same date. Written questions regarding the IFB must be submitted by May 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET, with State responses provided by May 22, 2026. Samples for non-approved product labels must be submitted by June 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Pricing shall be submitted on a designated Pricing Form and must include all costs for delivery on a Free-On-Board (FOB) Destination basis to either the NCDAC Meat Processing Plant in Lillington, NC, or the Americold Storage facility in Sanford, NC, with delivery required within ten consecutive calendar days of purchase order receipt. Award will be based on responsive bids offering the lowest price meeting all specifications, with evaluation also considering past performance, three required customer references, financial stability, and delivery promptness. Products must have a minimum of six months remaining shelf life at delivery, and vendors are responsible for product replacement if spoilage is discovered post-delivery.

The solicitation does not identify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or other organization types. Pre-approved product labels include Paris Foods, La Hacienda, and Endico; vendors offering other brands must submit samples for evaluation by the specified deadline. Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State and maintain valid eVP vendor numbers to participate. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. The State reserves the right to make separate awards to different vendors for individual line items or to cancel the IFB entirely. Delinquent deliveries may result in vendor complaints, contract default, fines, and potential debarment from state contracting. The IFB does not specify budget ranges or estimated award values for this procurement.