IFB # 25-0001 - Dairy Microbiological Services Laboratory

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 25-0001 for a Dairy Microbiological Services Laboratory to provide comprehensive microbiological analytical services for raw market milk, dairy products, and water samples from dairy farms and milk processing plants. The contract seeks a California-based laboratory capable of performing approximately 40,316 tests and 12,044 quality control tests across multiple analytical categories including Standard Plate Count, Laboratory Pasteurization Count, Coliform Bacteria testing, and specialized dairy product analyses. Bidders must be ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and maintain official testing laboratory status under the national Grade "A" FDA Interstate Milk Shippers Program. Key procurement dates include written questions due by January 30, 2025, answers posted by February 3, 2025, and bid submissions due by February 10, 2025 at 2 pm PT, with no extensions permitted. The contract term spans July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, with potential for two optional one-year renewals. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsive bid based on total per-analysis costs, with bidders required to provide comprehensive pricing covering all testing methods and associated expenses.

The solicitation includes specific set-aside provisions, mandating a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement and offering small business preferences and Target Area Contract Preference Act considerations. Bidders must maintain substantial insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance, $1,000,000 automobile liability, and workers' compensation coverage. The contract requires full compliance with labor code and unemployment insurance requirements. While no incumbent vendor is explicitly mentioned, the laboratory must be prepared to handle sample receiving primarily Monday through Thursday with lighter volumes on Friday, and be capable of occasional after-hours testing (approximately twice monthly). The contract anticipates potential announced and unannounced CDFA audits during normal business hours. Though specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive testing requirements suggest a significant annual investment, with pricing to be determined through the competitive bidding process and evaluated based on the total cost of all required microbiological testing services.