P26-0126B Cotton Plugs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is soliciting bids under Request for Quote P26-0126B for cotton plugs used in fruit fly detection traps, with questions due November 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT and responses due November 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PT. A 5% preference applies to California Certified Small Businesses, and a separate 5% preference applies to non-small businesses claiming at least 25% California Certified Small Business subcontractor participation.

Plugs must be cylindrical, 2.00 inches long (1.88 to 2.13 inches), 0.50 inches in diameter (0.50 to 0.60 inches), and weigh 1.5 to 2.5 grams. They must be high-density, tightly compressed 100% cotton bound with braided rayon thread, in natural white to off-white. Material substitutions are not permitted, and nonconforming plugs trigger automatic disqualification before further testing. Passing requires a 95% score across measurements, bait hanger fit (160 samples), and absorption of 5 milliliters of lure (80 samples each with Methyl-eugenol and Cue-lure). Bidders must submit 200 samples to 2423 E Winston Road, Anaheim, California, between November 23 and December 1, 2026. Richmond #200512 is cited only as a descriptive example and is not a restrictive brand requirement.

The State is buying 250 cases of 8,000 plugs each, packaged as two bags of 4,000. The winning bidder must deliver a minimum of 500,000 plugs in January 2027, followed by minimum orders of 500,000 plugs every 60 days until order completion. Award is all-or-none. Unit prices must include all freight, shipping, and handling, with FOB Destination and liftgate delivery.

Bidders must submit a detailed quote on company letterhead with the Bidder Declaration (GSPD-05-105), Recycled Content Certification, Darfur Contracting Act Certification, California Seller's Permit, Payee Data Record (Form STD 204), and GenAI Disclosure. If any portion is federally funded, vendors must provide a Unique Entity Identification number, and debarred, suspended, or inactive-registration entries are ineligible for award. Payment follows the California Prompt Payment Act within 45 days of invoice receipt or goods acceptance, whichever is later.