ITB171021 new england and tribal organizations (NEATO) WIC retail infant formula rebate agreement

This state and local contracting opportunity is an Invitation to Bid (ITB) issued by the New England and Tribal Organizations (NEATO) consortium, which includes the Cherokee Nation, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and the Seneca Nation, for a WIC retail infant formula rebate agreement. The ITB seeks bids from infant formula manufacturers to provide rebates on all infant formulas they produce, except exempt formulas, that will be distributed to WIC participants in the NEATO region. The contract term is for 36 months, with an option to extend for an additional two-year period. Bidders must submit pricing for specific milk-based and soy-based infant formula products in liquid concentrate, powdered, and ready-to-feed forms, including their lowest national wholesale price per unit and the rebate amount for each formula type. The agreement will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest total monthly net price for a standardized number of infant formula units. The successful bidder must guarantee the availability of the contracted formulas to all NEATO WIC vendors and provide monthly rebate payments to each state and tribe based on the number of cans specified on issued and redeemed food instruments.

The ITB indicates that the current incumbent manufacturer will be allowed to submit a bid, and there are set-aside provisions for small and minority-owned businesses. While the exact budget or award value is not disclosed, the procurement aims to maximize full and open competition consistent with federal regulations governing the WIC program. Bids are due on a specific date, and a mandatory bidder's conference is scheduled prior to the submission deadline. Funding for the rebate agreement will come from the state's WIC program budget.