January 2013 Produce

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, specifically the State Correctional Institution at SCI Cresson located in Cambria County, is soliciting competitive bids for fresh produce procurement for January 2013. The procurement involves acquiring 19 different produce items, including fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, grapefruit, oranges, pears, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, onions, peppers, potatoes, radishes, and salad mixes. The total contract volume is approximately 1,965 cases, to be delivered in five installments between January 2 and January 29, 2013. Vendors must provide pricing on a unit and total price basis, with the award to be made on a group basis. The bid opening is scheduled for December 6, 2012, at 11:00 am, with strict delivery requirements mandating produce be delivered before 9:30 am on scheduled dates and accessible for unloading by the facility's forklift. Vendors must adhere to specific packing, quality, and grading requirements for each produce item.

The procurement opportunity appears to have Pennsylvania-specific restrictions through the Reciprocal Limitations Act, which provides preferential treatment for in-state suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers. Bidders must complete forms detailing their state of manufacture and residency status, with potential preference ranges of 2-15% for Pennsylvania-based providers. The contract also includes provisions under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, requiring contractors to provide requested information within 14 calendar days and potentially indemnify the Commonwealth for any damages or penalties. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, vendors must comply with state regulations regarding manufacturing origin and information disclosure. The precise contract value is not specified, but the scale suggests a moderate-value procurement for institutional food service. Potential bidders must demonstrate capability to meet detailed produce specifications and delivery requirements for the correctional facility.