Milk & Dairy Products for Woodward

The State of Iowa is conducting a Request for Bid (RFB) for Milk & Dairy Products for Human Services in Woodward, seeking a single vendor to provide a comprehensive range of dairy products. The procurement covers various milk types including skimmed, 1%, 2%, and whole milk in multiple sizes, along with additional dairy products such as cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt. The contract term spans from 01/31/2023 to 02/01/2024, with the state retaining an option to renew for up to four additional annual extensions. The bid was opened on 10/4/2022 and will close on 11/15/2022, with the specific bid number 005-RFB-0184-2022. Evaluation criteria will focus on determining the lowest responsible bidder, with pricing for fluid milk products subject to an escalator clause based on October's Class I price per CWT published by the United States Department of Agriculture. Estimated purchase quantities from the previous year range from 75 gallons of skimmed milk to 36,850 half-pint chocolate skimmed milk containers. The bid requires the winning vendor to provide quarterly electronic reports detailing sales information, including date of sale, customer information, product details, quantities, and pricing.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. However, the state will apply a statutory preference for products and provisions grown and produced within Iowa. An administrative fee of 1.00% will be charged on all sales under the contract, to be paid quarterly to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Bidders must demonstrate competence, qualifications, integrity, reliability, and past performance to be considered a "Responsible Bidder." While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the bid includes detailed estimated purchase quantities that can help potential vendors assess potential contract value. The state reserves significant discretion in the selection process, including the ability to reject non-compliant bids and cancel the award if the initial successful bidder fails to execute the contract promptly. Bid prices must remain firm for the first contract year, with potential price adjustments considered during subsequent contract renewals.