local produce

The state of Massachusetts has posted a contract opportunity for local produce. The contract is seeking vendors to provide a variety of locally-sourced fruits and vegetables to state agencies and institutions. Key deliverables include weekly or biweekly deliveries of fresh, seasonal produce that meets defined quality standards. The objective is to increase the use of local agricultural products in state-run cafeterias, hospitals, and other facilities. Qualified respondents should have experience managing produce supply chains and demonstrated capabilities in food safety, logistics, and distribution. Proposals will be evaluated based on product quality, reliability of delivery, pricing, and ability to meet volume requirements. The solicitation is due on June 22, 2021, with a contract term of one year and the possibility of two one-year extensions.

This opportunity is open to all interested vendors, with no set-aside designations or restrictions on business type. There is no incumbent contractor, and the state has not specified any existing infrastructure or technology that must be integrated. The total annual budget for this contract has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be a multi-million dollar agreement based on the scale of the state's produce purchasing needs.