Pet Food and Related Items

Orange County, California's OC Community Resources is soliciting competitive bids for a pet food and related items contract through a fully electronic solicitation. The procurement specifically seeks vendors to supply Nature's Select Pet Products dog food and Purina Dog Chow products, including chicken, beef, and fish flavored dog food in 30-pound bags or larger, as well as Nature's Select Premium Cat Food in 15-pound bags. Contractors must be available for contact Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, capable of shipping or delivering items within 48 hours with overnight shipment options, and accepting deliveries only between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM. The solicitation requires electronic bid submissions through the County's online bidding system, with all questions and requests for interpretations due by Friday, August 8, 2025, before 2:00 PM. Bids are due August 15, 2025, by 2:00 PM, and will remain valid for 365 days after closing, with the contract to be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

The County offers preference policies providing significant advantages for local and disadvantaged businesses, including a 5% bid deduction for Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certified vendors, with an 8% preference for businesses certified as both OCLSB and DVBE, up to a maximum deduction of $100,000. The contract will have a five-year term from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2030, with deliveries to be made to OC Animal Care in Tustin, California. Contractors must maintain adequate stock levels, provide products with standard expiration dates, and offer electronic fund transfer payment options. The County reserves the right to make multiple awards and negotiate final contract terms. While specific total contract value is marked as to be determined (TBD), the County requires Board of Supervisors approval for service contracts exceeding $200,000 annually or $1,000,000 in total contract value, suggesting a potentially significant procurement opportunity for qualified vendors.