Inmate Toothpaste

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has issued Invitation to Bid (ITB-25-001) for inmate toothpaste procurement, targeting correctional institutions throughout Florida, including those in Leon County. The solicitation seeks vendors to provide two primary deliverables: individual toothpaste packets (currently estimated at 1,500,000 annually) and clear toothpaste tubes (estimated at 900,000 annually). All toothpaste products must meet strict specifications, including American Dental Association certification, being free of animal fat, and containing specific fluoride levels. Individual packets must be a minimum of 0.28 ounces, while tubes must be between 2.5-3.0 ounces. The evaluation criteria will be based on the lowest grand total price, with a requirement that vendors bid on all items to be considered responsive. Key procurement dates include vendor questions due by December 20, 2024, with department responses posted on January 31, 2025, and bid submissions due February 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET. The resulting contract will be valid for up to five years with potential renewal options under Florida Statute 287.057(14).

The solicitation provides a price preference for Florida-based vendors, who may receive a 5% advantage when competing against out-of-state vendors. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly noted, the ITB includes standard provisions regarding vendor diversity and documentation requirements. The Department provides no minimum order guarantee but will not split standard packaging units. Purchase orders will be issued quarterly or as needed, with deliveries made to specified correctional facility addresses across Florida's four regions. Financial consequences of $50 per day may be assessed for late deliveries or inadequate substitution notifications. While a specific total contract value is not disclosed, the annual procurement volumes suggest a significant contract opportunity. Most purchases will be processed through the MyFloridaMarketplace (MFMP) system, with potential emergency purchases possible via procurement card (PCard). Vendors must be prepared to deliver products within 30 days of purchase order issuance and comply with all correctional facility security requirements.