Inmate Toothpaste

Leon County and the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) are seeking vendors to provide inmate toothpaste through Invitation to Bid (ITB) FDC-26-024, with a procurement targeting 1,500,000 individual toothpaste packets and 900,000 clear tubes. The solicitation requires vendors to supply toothpaste meeting specific technical requirements, including a minimum of 0.243% Sodium Fluoride, no animal fat, gel or white paste format, and American Dental Association certification. Vendors must submit bid samples and a manufacturer's ingredient list to be considered responsive, with vendor questions due by September 29, 2025, and a public bid opening scheduled for October 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. The contract term will extend up to five years with potential renewals, and bids will be evaluated based on the lowest grand total price. Vendors must demonstrate at least three years of relevant business experience and maintain financial stability. Delivery will be required to 143 correctional facilities across four geographic regions of Florida, with strict security and performance expectations.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but vendors must comply with several state regulations including E-Verify requirements, scrutinized companies lists, and restrictions on foreign countries of concern. Potential vendors will need to demonstrate financial capability to support statewide distribution and meet comprehensive institutional procurement standards. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the volume of toothpaste required (1,500,000 packets and 900,000 tubes) suggests a significant annual contract value. The competitive bidding process indicates that multiple vendors might be considered, with potential preference given to Florida-based businesses. Successful contractors will need robust logistics capabilities to manage deliveries across diverse correctional facilities and meet the stringent quality and performance requirements specified in the ITB documentation.