Lentils

The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) Purchasing/Contracts Division has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the procurement of lentils to be delivered to their Central Distribution Center in Salem, Oregon. The solicitation seeks approximately 42,500 pounds of lentils, with the first delivery scheduled to occur after the issuance of a Purchase Order. Key dates for this procurement include the bid issue date of December 27, 2023, a deadline for requesting clarification or changes by January 3, 2024, and a bid closing date of January 10, 2024. Pricing requirements mandate that bids must be submitted per unit, with no more than four digits past the decimal point, and must include all transportation, fuel surcharge, and delivery charges. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with ODOC retaining discretion to award by line item, group of items, or all items. Evaluation criteria will focus on pricing, responsiveness, and the ability to meet the specified procurement requirements.

The ITB includes specific preference provisions for Oregon-based businesses, offering a 5% preference for both Oregon goods/services and resident bidders headquartered in the state. Bidders are required to indicate whether their goods meet these preference requirements. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears open to all qualified vendors who can meet the technical specifications and delivery requirements. The estimated value of the contract is not precisely specified, but can be inferred from the procurement of 42,500 pounds of lentils. Vendors must demonstrate the ability to meet the ODOC's delivery specifications and provide competitive pricing. The procurement is structured to ensure the department receives high-quality lentils at the most competitive price point, with flexibility in award methodology to maximize value for the state of Oregon.