Shell Eggs

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for shell egg procurement for the State Correctional Institute in Dallas, located in Luzerne County. The contract requires the delivery of 6,240 dozen large shell eggs, specifically USDA Grade A, to be delivered in 16 cases every Wednesday from October 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. Eggs must be labeled with an expiration date not exceeding 28 days from packaging, and deliveries will be made to the SCI Retreat in Hunlock Creek. The bid solicitation requires vendors to submit comprehensive proposals by September 13, 2010 at 1:30 PM, with the contract to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Evaluation criteria will focus on meeting precise product specifications, adherence to delivery requirements, and compliance with contractual terms. Vendors must also provide details about their business and potential security clearance for subcontractors.

The procurement opportunity appears to provide opportunities for diverse businesses, specifically encouraging certified minority and women-owned businesses in Pennsylvania to participate. The contract includes specific provisions under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, requiring vendors to provide responsive documentation and contact information within 14 calendar days of a request. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the scope suggests a structured procurement process with potential for small to medium-sized food supply vendors. Vendors must be prepared to integrate with existing correctional facility supply chain infrastructure and comply with state-mandated contractual terms. The Right-to-Know Law provisions also indicate that contractors must be prepared to potentially disclose contract-related information and waive certain legal challenges to information disclosure, which represents an additional operational requirement for potential bidders.