PAPER TOWELS AND TOILET PAPER, FY 25-26, 1st QTR. CDCR 1768 PODO (REGION 6)

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) CDCR-1768-PODO for a one-time procurement of paper towels and toilet paper for Region 6, covering facilities such as California Correctional Institution, California Men's Colony, California Rehabilitation Center, and California State Prison, Los Angeles County. The solicitation seeks 7,021 total cases of various paper products, including economy singlefold and multifold towels, hardwound roll towels, and 1-ply and 2-ply toilet paper. Deliveries are scheduled across July, August, and September 2025, with an "all or none" award approach to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Bidders must provide F.O.B. Destination pricing with freight prepaid, and all products must meet specific recycled content requirements: paper towels must contain 40% post-consumer fiber content, and toilet paper must contain 45% post-consumer fiber content. Key deadlines include April 9, 2025, for submitting questions and April 11, 2025, for bid submissions, with electronic bids to be emailed to michelle.pantoja@cdcr.ca.gov. The state reserves the right to increase or decrease purchase quantities by up to 30% of the original total quantity for 90 days after award.

The procurement has specific set-aside designations favoring California-certified Small Businesses (SBs) and emphasizes Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation. Bidders must submit various certifications, including a Bidder Declaration, Darfur Contracting Act Certification, and a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Disclosure. The solicitation includes detailed requirements for DVBE subcontractors, with prime contractors required to document and track DVBE participation using standardized forms like STD 817. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the procurement documents highlight strict compliance requirements, including non-discrimination policies, environmental law compliance, and provisions for small business and disabled veteran business enterprise participation. The state will require comprehensive reporting on DVBE subcontracting, with potential consequences for non-compliance such as withholding final payments. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the procurement covers 7,021 cases of paper products across multiple correctional facilities, suggesting a significant contract value for the selected vendor.