IFB - IRCC - Two Year Bread Contract - JSW

The Illinois Department of Corrections, specifically the Illinois River Correctional Center located in Canton, is seeking a two-year contract for bread supply through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) process. The procurement requires a vendor to provide 359,840 cases of fresh, not frozen, 20 oz sliced white bread over the contract period, which will run from December 19, 2025, to December 18, 2027. Each case must contain 12 individually wrapped and sealed loaves, with deliveries scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 1:00pm directly to the facility. The bid (Number JSW 26-426DOC-ILRIV-B-48975) is exclusively for electronic submission through BidBuy, with all responses due by September 9, 2025. Vendors will be evaluated on responsiveness, responsibility, and pricing, with the contract awarded to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder. Pricing will be firm for the first twelve months, with a potential economic adjustment thereafter based on the U.S. Department of Labor's Producer Price Index for Bakery Product Manufacturing, limited to a maximum of 10%.

The procurement includes a significant focus on diversity and inclusion, with a 14% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation goal targeting businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Vendors must submit a comprehensive Vendor Disclosure form, demonstrating compliance with state regulations, including potential conflicts of interest, lobbying activities, and business ownership details. The state has an aspirational goal of awarding at least 30% of the total contract dollar amount to certified diverse businesses, with an additional 3% target for service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. Bidders must provide a Utilization Plan detailing how they will meet these participation requirements, either through self-performance, subcontracting with certified vendors, or demonstrating good faith efforts to engage such vendors. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the requirement of 3,460 cases per week over two years suggests a substantial procurement opportunity. Vendors must be registered in the Illinois Procurement Gateway, possess an active State of Illinois Vendor Registration Number, and comply with prevailing wage regulations, background check requirements, and comprehensive insurance coverage standards.