Puffed Rice Cereal

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Puffed Rice Cereal, seeking to establish a term contract for furnishing and delivering cereal to the Central Warehouse in Raleigh. The solicitation covers an estimated annual requirement of 6,420 cases, with specific procurement requirements including packaging in 20-23 lb boxes, detailed product specifications, and mandatory kosher certification. Vendors must provide comprehensive product information, including ingredients, nutritional details, and a minimum shelf life of 6 months. The initial contract term will be one year, with state options to renew for two additional one-year periods. Key procurement dates include the bid posting on July 24, 2025, and bid submission deadline of August 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, with a required delivery timeframe of 30 consecutive calendar days after purchase order receipt. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness to specifications, with the state reserving the right to award to the lowest responsive bidder or make separate awards for different line items.

The procurement appears to have provisions encouraging HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) participation, as evidenced by the required HUB participation form in the bid documentation. Vendors must complete various attachments demonstrating financial condition, workplace policies, and references. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed, the inclusion of the HUB form suggests potential preferences for diverse business participation. The solicitation does not specify an exact budget range, but the annual estimated quantity of 6,420 cases indicates a substantial procurement opportunity. Vendors will need to provide comprehensive pricing per case, along with detailed product certifications and specifications. The procurement process allows the state significant flexibility, including the potential to cancel the solicitation if deemed most advantageous, and to make separate awards for different line items. Interested vendors must carefully review all attachment requirements and ensure complete compliance with the specified product and packaging standards.