May 2025 Meat & Cheese - DOC-PE

The Louisiana Department of Corrections Prison Enterprises (DOC-PE) is seeking a procurement for various frozen meat and dairy products for the Wakefield facility, with bids due on April 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST. The solicitation, numbered 3000024543, covers a comprehensive range of protein-based food items including chicken leg quarters, cheese, ground beef patties, turkey and chicken products, pork items, and beef roasts. Specific product requirements mandate that all items must be processed within 90 days of delivery, with strict specifications for processing, packaging, fat content, and quality standards. Delivery is strictly limited to Monday through Thursday between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm, with no Friday deliveries permitted. The state intends to award the contract on an individual basis to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s), with cheese products to be awarded on a grouped basis. Vendors must comply with USDA and FDA labeling requirements and meet Louisiana Department of Agriculture grading and certification standards. All products must be delivered in refrigerated trucks and maintained at specific temperature requirements, with chicken products required to be solidly frozen at 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

The procurement includes preferences for Louisiana-based vendors, with potential pricing advantages for businesses with at least 50% Louisiana workforce or those producing United States-manufactured products. Vendors must be registered in the LaGov system and comply with civil rights laws, accessibility requirements, and anti-discrimination statutes. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the bid emphasizes local economic participation. Payment will be processed electronically through LaCarte procurement cards for purchases under $5,000 and Electronic Funds Transfer for larger amounts. The total procurement volume is substantial, with quantities including 80,000 lbs of chicken leg quarters, 27,000 lbs of beef ground meat 80/20, and 10,000 lbs of chicken gizzards. The state reserves the right to reject individual line items and prioritize vendors offering the earliest possible delivery dates. The contract appears to be specifically for institutional food service within the state prison system, with a targeted delivery period through May 8, 2025.