Produce Bid - April

The state and local contract opportunity is a produce bid for the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township, located in Pennsylvania, specifically serving Northampton County and Clymer Borough. The procurement seeks a vendor to supply fresh fruits and vegetables for a one-month contract period, with multiple deliveries required throughout the term. The bid is specifically designated as a small business procurement within the state's SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) system. The contract was posted on March 13, 2014, with a bid submission deadline of March 21, 2014, indicating a tight turnaround for potential vendors. Vendors must be prepared to provide high-quality, fresh produce that meets institutional standards for correctional facilities, with the ability to execute multiple deliveries during the contract period. The primary deliverables include a consistent and reliable supply of fresh fruits and vegetables that can meet the nutritional requirements of the correctional institution. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, vendors can expect scrutiny on product quality, delivery reliability, pricing, and ability to meet institutional food service standards.

This procurement appears to be specifically targeted at small businesses, which suggests potential set-aside provisions or preferential treatment for smaller local or regional produce suppliers. The small business designation implies potential restrictions or advantages for vendors that meet certain size or local business criteria. No incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned in the contract documentation. While the exact budget range is not specified, institutional food service contracts typically involve substantial monthly procurement volumes. The geographic specificity to Northampton County and Clymer Borough suggests a localized procurement approach that may favor vendors with regional proximity to the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township. The one-month contract duration indicates this might be a test or short-term procurement to evaluate vendor performance before potential longer-term commitments. Vendors should be prepared to demonstrate their capability to consistently supply fresh produce, maintain appropriate food safety standards, and meet the specific logistical requirements of a correctional facility food service environment.