Seafood Bid-Oct. 2011

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services, specifically for the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township in Montour County, is seeking a vendor to supply frozen seafood products through an Invitation for Bids (IFB) issued on September 15, 2011. The procurement focuses on multiple frozen seafood items, including breaded fish portions, seafood cakes, chopped clams, and imitation crab flakes, with estimated quantities ranging from 500 to 6,600 pounds per item. The contract duration is three months, with multiple delivery dates scheduled between October and December 2011. Vendors must submit bids by September 30, 2011, and the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on an FOB destination basis. Key evaluation criteria include pricing, product quality, and compliance with security clearance procedures. Vendors are prohibited from providing outdated products and must be prepared to deliver items based on fluctuating inmate population estimates.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The Commonwealth reserves the right to not award an item if the cost is not deemed in its best interest, providing flexibility in the procurement process. Payment will be processed upon receipt of items and submission of an invoice. The bid documents include additional compliance requirements, such as the Reciprocal Limitations Act provisions, which require bidders to disclose the state of manufacture for all items and provide information on their residency status. The solicitation also includes Right-to-Know Law provisions, mandating contractor assistance in responding to information requests. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the procurement appears to be a standard food supply contract for a state correctional facility, with estimated total quantities suggesting a moderate-value contract for the specified three-month period.