IDOC - Certified Kosher Prepackaged Meals RFP

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP #26-426DOC-CENTO-B-50176) to procure certified kosher prepackaged meals for delivery to 27 correctional facilities statewide, serving approximately 600 individuals in custody. The procurement seeks meals that are nutritionally complete, double-sealed, and certified kosher, with an estimated annual requirement of 219,000 breakfast trays and 438,000 lunch/dinner trays. Vendors must provide a minimum of 20 different meal varieties, including at least 4 breakfast options and 16 lunch/dinner options, featuring a variety of proteins (beef, chicken, or soy) with at least 16 meals including vegetables. All meals must be shelf-stable for at least 12 months, require only heating without cooking, and provide approximately 2,400 calories daily with proper macronutrient ranges. Bidders must demonstrate that their kitchens are kosher-compliant and certified at the time of offer submission, with certification to be maintained throughout the contract term, and must provide IDPH certification documentation; vendors may provide written guarantees that certification will be obtained and available upon physical meal delivery if certification documentation is not available at bid time. The RFP was posted on December 5, 2025, with a written questions deadline of December 26, 2025, answers published by December 30, 2025, and proposals due by January 5, 2026; the evaluation period runs from January 6-16, 2026, with an anticipated notice of intent to award on January 19, 2026, a protest period ending February 9, 2026, contract execution on March 1, 2026, and an anticipated contract start date of March 30, 2026. The Commitment to Diversity (C2D) evaluation factor represents 20 percent of the technical score and is based on six evaluation categories: BEP Goal Compliance, Subcontracting with Women, Minority, and Disability-owned Business (WMDB) vendors, DEI Spend, DEI Time, DEI Policies, and Diversity in Staffing, with vendors required to complete a comprehensive four-part utilization plan demonstrating commitment to utilizing Business Enterprise Program and Veterans Business Program certified vendors to meet contract-specific diversity goals.

This procurement includes a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Veterans Business Program (VBP) utilization plan requirement, with bidders obligated to either meet the established BEP/VBP participation goal through self-performance if certified, identify certified subcontractors to meet the goal, or submit documented Good Faith Efforts requesting a waiver or goal reduction if unable to achieve full participation. Vendors responding to this solicitation must complete several disclosure and certification documents, including the IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form (if registered in the Illinois Procurement Gateway) or the Vendor Disclosure form (if not registered), along with the standard Illinois Certifications covering drug-free workplace provisions, non-discrimination policies, environmental compliance, and cybersecurity standards. The RFP does not specify an estimated contract value or budget range in the available documentation, though the resulting contract will have an initial term of five years with a maximum total term not to exceed ten years including any renewal options, and payment will be made only for actual quantities used at bid prices. All subcontracts valued at $100,000 or more annually must be identified with names, addresses, and descriptions of work to be performed, with subcontractors required to complete Standard Illinois Certifications and Financial Disclosure forms or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure forms. Compliance with the utilization plan becomes a material part of the resulting contract upon award, with vendors required to maintain records for three years post-completion and submit monthly reporting of BEP/VBP vendor utilization, and failure to comply constitutes material breach of contract potentially resulting in contract termination and withholding of final payment until compliance documentation is submitted. No incumbent vendor or existing infrastructure integration requirements are identified in the available procurement documents.