JPMC Z2 Convenience Foods

The State of Illinois, through the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to establish a joint purchase master contract for convenience foods. The contract will enable the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC), Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to purchase a variety of food items such as canned goods, condiments, dehydrated potatoes, meat and poultry, and peas, beans and rice on an as-needed basis over a 3-year term. Bidders must bid on at least 62 out of 78 line items, including 15 identified as core items. Awards will be made to the overall lowest evaluated bidder for the specified zone, which in this case is Zone 2 covering Lake County. The IFB includes detailed product specifications, delivery requirements, subcontracting allowances, and pricing terms. Bids are due by May 18, 2020, and will be opened electronically due to COVID-19.

This solicitation does not contain any small business, minority, women, or veteran-owned business set-aside goals, but those preferences may apply. The state has provided a list of certified Businesses Enterprise Program (BEP) vendors that the bidder may select to enter into a Letter of Intent and satisfy the BEP participation goal. The total contract value is estimated, but not specified. Incumbent vendors or current contractors are not identified, and the state is seeking to award one contract per solicitation to the overall low bidder in order to have a single source for the majority of items ordered by zone.