RFP 24-USDA-2 USDA Nutrition Services Dairy Products

The Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) is seeking a year-round distributor for dairy products to be used in meal production at their Head Start Centers throughout Oregon via RFP 24-USDA-2. The procurement solicits a vendor to provide various milk products, including 1% unflavored milk, lactose-free 1% unflavored milk, and whole unflavored milk in both gallon and 8 oz half-pint containers. Proposers must submit detailed pricing information, including manufacturer's product codes, pack sizes, manufacturer's costs, markup fees, and total cost per pack. The evaluation criteria are comprehensive, encompassing pricing, customer service, delivery capabilities, food safety and security, product recall procedures, references, company history, sustainability practices, and commitment to diversity. The proposal submission deadline is August 16, 2024, at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, with an anticipated contract period from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. OCDC reserves the right to conduct site visits and interviews with top-ranked proposers and anticipates potentially awarding multiple contracts from this solicitation.

The RFP includes provisions for business inclusion and diversity, requiring proposers to indicate if they are an Oregon Certified Firm, which includes minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. Proposers must demonstrate experience in obtaining certified firm participation as sub-vendors, consultants, or suppliers on previous projects. The solicitation does not specify a specific set-aside percentage or mandate for diverse businesses but encourages their participation. While no incumbent vendor is explicitly identified, the document suggests this is a competitive procurement open to qualified distributors meeting the specified requirements. The pricing structure is based on a price per case for receiving, storing, inventorying, and delivering USDA foods, with the potential for contract renewal up to a cumulative maximum of three years. Although specific budget ranges are not disclosed, the contract will be funded through USDA and state of Oregon resources, with an estimated annual usage provided for each milk product type.