Procurement of Feed Oats

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Contracts and Procurement Department is seeking bids for a blanket purchase order to procure 800 tons of animal feed oats for the Wainwright Unit Feedmill in Lovelady, TX. The solicitation requires white oats meeting No. 2 grade or equivalent standards, with a minimum weight of 38 pounds per bushel, in compliance with Texas agriculture code specifications. Bids must be submitted electronically to BIDS@TDCJ.TEXAS.GOV or via hard copy to the TDCJ Contracts and Procurement office in Huntsville by December 30, 2024, at 3 P.M., with a deadline for submitting questions by December 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM (CST). The contract will be effective from the award date through August 31, 2025, with deliveries coordinated through the ordering feed mill and transported in belly dump grain trailers in approximately 25-ton loads. Bid pricing must be expressed in dollars per ton and include all associated profit, overhead, and freight charges. Vendors will be evaluated based on their ability to meet the technical specifications, delivery requirements, and compliance with bidding instructions.

The solicitation includes mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting requirements in accordance with Texas Government Code 2161.252, with specific participation goals across different contract categories. Vendors must complete a comprehensive HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) documenting their strategies for utilizing Texas-certified HUB subcontractors, with participation goals ranging from 11.2% for heavy construction to 21.1% for commodities contracts. The procurement is open to businesses that can demonstrate good faith efforts in HUB participation, either through direct subcontracting or the Mentor Protege Program. Vendors must submit monthly compliance reports and seek prior approval for any modifications to their HSP. While specific contract value details are not explicitly stated, the procurement covers 800 tons of feed oats, suggesting a substantial contract opportunity for agricultural suppliers. Vendors must also comply with additional state requirements, including E-Verify employment verification and restrictions on contracting with companies that boycott certain entities or are owned by specific foreign governments.