John bean technologies corporation (JBT foodtech)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is pursuing a single-source procurement for fifteen (15) FMC-0919-B Mechanical Juice Extractors from John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT FoodTech). This procurement is specifically for commercial juicers and food and beverage equipment to be used in processing plants throughout Florida for evaluating citrus soluble solids per pound. The contract will span from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with a solicitation posted on 03/24/2025 and a final date for information receipt on 04/14/2025. The procurement is uniquely justified by John Bean Technologies Corporation's patent #5992311 for this specific extractor, with no equivalent machine available in the market. Key objectives include maintaining uniform and consistent testing procedures in the citrus industry, with the extractors being critical for precise soluble solids measurement. The procurement follows Florida Statutes sections 120.57(3) and 287.057(3), and will remain publicly posted for at least 15 business days to allow potential vendors to provide alternative information.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises and is focused on a single-source vendor with a unique technological solution. The total estimated dollar amount for this procurement is up to $400,000.00, with an approximate contract amount of $382,365.00. The cost of leasing these machines will be directly reimbursed by individual processing plants, creating a pass-through funding mechanism. No incumbent vendors are mentioned beyond JBT FoodTech, and the procurement does not indicate integration requirements with existing infrastructure. The sole qualification for potential alternative vendors would be demonstrating the ability to provide an equivalent mechanical juice extractor with comparable patent-protected technological specifications. Prospective vendors are invited to provide relevant information to the department's contact person by the April 14, 2025 deadline, with the department reserving the right to proceed with the single-source procurement if no equivalent alternative is identified.