Procurement of Yellow Corn

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Contracts and Procurement Department has issued an Invitation for Bids (IW207105) for the procurement of 2,500 tons (5,000,000 lbs) of yellow U.S. Grade #2 corn to be delivered to the TDCJ Coffield Unit Feedmill in Tennessee Colony, TX. The solicitation seeks corn deliveries with specific quality standards, including less than 20 PPB for aflatoxin and less than 5 PPM for fumonosin. Pricing will be based on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures month closing price on the date ordered, plus a vendor-specific constant per bushel. Estimated delivery loads will be approximately 25 tons, with deliveries coordinated Monday through Friday between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The bid opening is scheduled for January 31, 2025, at 3 P.M., with contract deliveries beginning in February 2025 and running through August 31, 2025. Vendors must submit questions by January 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM (CST), with answers posted by January 17, 2025. Electronic bid submission is preferred via email to BIDS@TDCJ.TEXAS.GOV, with hard copy submissions also accepted.

The procurement includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting requirement with a 21.1% participation goal for commodities contracts. All bidders, including certified HUBs, must submit a completed HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) with their bid response or face disqualification under Texas Government Code 2161.252. The TDCJ reserves the right to accept orders in the amount required, with potential variations of plus or minus 10%, and will place orders on an as-needed basis with no guaranteed minimum amounts. Vendors must comply with various state-mandated certifications, including E-Verify employment eligibility verification and requirements regarding debarment, antitrust, boycotts, and conflicts of interest. The solicitation includes standard payment terms of net 30 days after receipt of a valid invoice or goods/services, with vendors required to maintain direct deposit capabilities. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the total procurement volume is 2,500 tons of corn, with pricing determined by the CME futures pricing mechanism plus a vendor-specific constant.