MPA 583 OE Local Perishable Food Vendors

The State of Rhode Island is conducting an Open Enrollment (OE) Master Price Agreement (MPA) solicitation to establish a comprehensive list of qualified local perishable food vendors for state agencies, quasi-governmental organizations, municipalities, and legislative and judicial branches. The initial contract period will run from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2027, with potential two-year renewal options based on vendor performance and fund availability. Vendors must submit electronic proposals through the Ocean State Procures system by August 14, 2025, for initial contract consideration. The procurement will utilize a pass/fail evaluation methodology, with agencies issuing mini-bids to qualified vendors when specific projects arise. Key requirements include providing perishable food products, maintaining specific insurance coverages including $1,000,000 in general liability insurance, workers' compensation, and automobile liability, and complying with various state regulatory requirements.

The solicitation includes a 1% contract administrative fee on annual spend and mandates Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation, requiring vendors to submit an MBE Utilization Plan to the Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. When mini-bids are issued, vendors must obtain at least one quote from an MBE/WBE/VBE certified vendor. The state reserves the right to make single or multiple awards and expects vendors to comply with regulations concerning political contributions and Iran investment activities. While specific contract values are not explicitly stated, the broad scope of the procurement suggests potential significant annual spending across multiple state and local entities. The open enrollment approach allows for ongoing vendor qualification and provides flexibility for agencies to access a diverse pool of local perishable food suppliers throughout the contract period.