Shelf stable meal

The State of South Carolina, specifically the State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA) and the S.C. Department on Aging (SCDOA), is seeking a contractor to provide 5-meal shelf-stable meal boxes for the Older Americans Act Senior Nutrition Program across multiple counties, including Allendale County. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation focused on delivering nutritionally comprehensive meals to seniors through 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging. Deliverables must meet stringent nutritional specifications, including calorie ranges of 600-850 kcal, specific macronutrient percentages, and minimum vitamin and mineral levels. Meals must be individually portioned, have a minimum 6-month shelf life, and be certified by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The total projected distribution is 11,527 meal boxes across 40 distinct locations, with most delivery locations requiring liftgate service. Key procurement dates include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on 08/04/2025 at 10:00 AM ET via Microsoft Teams, bid submissions due by 08/27/2025 at 11:00 AM ET, and an anticipated award posting on 09/02/2025. Contractors must submit a comprehensive menu, nutrient analysis, packaging details, and labeling information for evaluation.

The solicitation appears to allow potential preferences for South Carolina resident contractors and subcontractors, though specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed. The procurement does not indicate restrictions limiting participation to specific enterprise types or disadvantaged business categories. The contract has a delivery completion date of September 30, 2025, and will involve coordinating delivery schedules across 10 regional areas including Appalachian, Upper Savannah, Catawba, Central Midlands, Lower Savannah, Santee-Lynches, Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Trident, and Lowcountry regions. Distribution quantities will vary significantly by location, ranging from 85 meal boxes in smaller counties like McCormick to 700 meal boxes in larger counties such as Horry. While specific budget ranges are not provided, the comprehensive nature of the solicitation and the large-scale distribution suggest a substantial contract value. Successful contractors must demonstrate capability to meet complex nutritional requirements, manage extensive logistical distribution, and comply with all relevant food safety regulations for senior nutrition programs.