INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #S25-33141 VENDING MACHINE CONTRACT for Los Angeles County

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has released Invitation for Bid (IFB) #S25-33141 for a Vending Machine Contract spanning Los Angeles County, seeking a contractor to supply, install, and maintain a single vending machine at a Department of Rehabilitation site. The contract will run from DOR approval through November 30, 2028, with a projected gross receipt of $1,512.00 over the three-year period. Key deliverables include providing an energy-efficient vending machine that accepts dollar bills, offers healthy beverage and snack choices, and meets nutritional guidelines specified in SB 441, requiring at least 35% of food and one-third of beverages to meet accepted nutritional standards. Bidders must submit detailed technical capabilities information, including refund systems, service schedules, and customer complaint handling procedures. The solicitation timeline indicates questions are due by October 22, 2025, with final bid submissions required by November 15, 2025, and an anticipated award date of December 4, 2025. Evaluation will involve assessing the proposed commission percentage rate, technical capabilities, and compliance with specified requirements.

The contract includes provisions for small business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation, offering preferences and incentives for certified businesses. The Small Business Participation program provides a 5% calculation preference, allowing small businesses to receive an advantage when submitting bids or enabling non-small businesses to obtain a preference by subcontracting at least 25% to certified small businesses. The DVBE Program offers bidders 1% to 5% additional evaluation points for including California-certified DVBE subcontractors, with firms required to perform a "commercially useful function" in the contract work. Additional compliance requirements include completing the Darfur Contracting Act Certification for companies with international business activities and submitting a Payee Data Record (STD 204 form). Bidders must also provide proof of insurance, business licenses, and seller's permits. While the specific contract value is modest, with projected gross receipts of $1,512.00, the opportunity represents a chance for qualified vendors to establish a presence in the California state contracting ecosystem.