Graded canned jelly & apple butter

The Commonwealth of Virginia Division of Purchases and Supply is requesting sealed bids on graded, canned jelly and apple butter under IFB #127734, with bids due October 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST and a public bid opening via Microsoft Teams at 1:05 PM EST the same day. Award will be made on a line-by-line basis to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; the Commonwealth may make separate awards for each item, groups of items, or all items.

The scope comprises three product lines: Apple Jelly (USDA Grade A, Kosher Certified, 128 oz minimum label weight, approximately 2,600 cases annually), Grape Jelly (USDA Grade A, 128 oz minimum label weight, approximately 1,150 cases annually), and Apple Butter (USDA Grade A, Kosher Certified, 120 oz minimum label weight, approximately 3,000 cases annually). All items must be packaged in 6/10 cans per case. Products must be delivered within 30 days of production with a minimum of 120 days shelf life remaining, accompanied by USDA grading certificates, and delivered F.O.B. to the Virginia Distribution Center in Sandston, Virginia, with minimum order quantity of truckload.

The initial contract term is two years with three optional one-year renewal periods. Price escalation is limited to documented product-cost increases, with no increases permitted for 180 days after the contract effective date and thereafter only upon 30 days' advance notice. Bidders must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan; the Commonwealth's statewide goal is that 42% of purchases be made from DSBSD-certified small businesses. All vendors must register in the eVA e-procurement system and pay transaction fees of 1% capped at $500 for DSBSD-certified small businesses or $1,500 for other businesses. Bidders must provide State Corporation Commission identification numbers, at least four current or recent account references, and product information literature. An optional pre-bid teleconference is scheduled for September 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Written clarification questions are due by September 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Bids must be submitted electronically through eVA only; hand-delivered, email, mail, and fax submissions are not accepted.