Pre-packaged Food Items

San Bernardino County, on behalf of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), a 456-bed university-affiliated teaching hospital in Colton, California, is issuing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for pre-packaged food items intended to nourish hospital patients according to individual caloric requirements and to be sold daily in the ARMC Cafe to visitors. The procurement encompasses a comprehensive range of food products including patient sandwiches, gourmet sandwiches, wraps, pitas, triangle sandwiches, croissant sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, and specialized meal options certified as Halal, Kosher, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, and Vegan, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 730 units for specialty meals to 49,640 units for patient sandwiches. Bidders must deliver all products FOB to 400 North Pepper Avenue, Colton, California 92324 via refrigerated truck between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., maintaining delivery temperatures at a maximum of 39 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigerated items and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for frozen products, with all products bearing "use by" dates at least five days from delivery and complying with Nutrition Labeling and Education Act requirements. Required qualifications include a current Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act license from the USDA, compliance with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service standards, and a valid Public Health Permit; bidders must also provide a three-door cooler for product display, assume responsibility for stocking and inventory rotation, and submit W-9 tax forms and representations and certifications documents. The questions submission deadline is February 13, 2026, with bids due February 27, 2026, and a tentative contract award date of March 31, 2026; payment terms are Net 60 days after invoice receipt following delivery, with the County preferring firm prices though escalation provisions with maximum percentages and 60-day advance notice may be considered as alternate offers.

The County has not designated specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises; however, all bidders are required to complete a Minority, Women, LGBT, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Questionnaire as part of the application process. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The contract is federally funded and subject to compliance with federal contracting provisions including the Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act, recovered materials procurement requirements, and Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment regulations. The ITB does not specify an explicit budget range or award value; however, the estimated annual quantities provided suggest a substantial procurement volume that will generate significant revenue for the selected vendor(s). Interested bidders should thoroughly review the complete ITB document (ARMC126-ARMC-6201 Pre-Packaged Food Items ITB.pdf) to understand all technical specifications, delivery requirements, and compliance obligations before submitting their proposals.