Produce Bid - March 2014

The state of Pennsylvania, specifically the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township located in Coalmont Borough, Philadelphia County, is soliciting an electronic bid for a produce supply contract. The procurement opportunity, identified by the contract ID 66d5f28e323913d9c80adb31, seeks a vendor to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for a one-month period with multiple deliveries required. The bid was posted on February 19, 2014, with a submission deadline of February 26, 2014, and strictly prohibits paper bid submissions. Potential vendors must be prepared to meet the correctional institution's specific produce requirements, demonstrating capability to consistently deliver high-quality, fresh produce within the specified timeframe. The bid appears to prioritize vendors who can ensure reliable, timely deliveries and maintain the quality standards necessary for institutional food service. Evaluation criteria likely include vendor reliability, produce quality, delivery consistency, and competitive pricing.

While the provided documentation does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or vendor restrictions, state correctional institution procurement typically adheres to standard government contracting guidelines that may provide preferences for small businesses, local vendors, or disadvantaged business enterprises. No incumbent vendor information is available in the current documentation, and there are no specified details regarding potential award values or specific budget ranges for this produce contract. The electronic bid process suggests a preference for vendors with robust logistics capabilities and electronic bidding infrastructure. Given the specialized nature of institutional food procurement, vendors would likely need to demonstrate food safety certifications, consistent supply chain management, and the ability to meet the specific volume and quality requirements of a state correctional facility. The one-month contract duration implies this might be a trial period or part of a broader procurement strategy for ongoing food service supplies.