Sweet Pickle Relish

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is requesting bids on sweet pickle relish under IFB 52-IFB-2346699890-RJB, with bids due August 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET and bid questions due August 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET. Vendors must be North Carolina registered in good standing and demonstrate financial stability, an effective HACCP plan compliant with FDA standards, and manufacturer authorization for resale; E-Verify compliance is required.

The scope is 2,800 cases annually of sweet pickle relish meeting USDA, NCDA, and FDA standards. The product must contain finely chopped immature cucumbers (minimum 60%), peppers with slight sweet seasoning (3–5% onions), and be cured in vinegar and sugar at Grade B or Better with minimum drained weight of 92%. Packaging is four 1-gallon containers per case, palletized with dimensions not exceeding 54"H x 49"L x 40"W. Products must carry a minimum shelf life of six months at delivery; non-compliant or spoiled shipments will be refused and the vendor will be liable for replacement and removal costs. The minimum order is 864 cases or the vendor's stated truckload quantity if less. Delivery is FOB Destination to the NCDAC Central Warehouse in Raleigh, North Carolina, required within 30 consecutive calendar days of purchase order receipt during 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Addendum 01 (issued August 12) clarifies that individual cans or cases do not require stamping; USDA typically stamps only the cases from which samples are collected.

The contract has an initial one-year term beginning upon final execution, with the state holding an option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms upon 30-day written notice before each term's end. Bid pricing must remain firm for 180 days from the contract effective date; price adjustments thereafter are subject to written negotiation and state approval. Vendors must provide three customer references for identical or similar products. Award will be made to the lowest responsive bid meeting all specifications. The state does not guarantee minimum or maximum purchase quantities and reserves the right to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors, reject all bids, or cancel the solicitation. Bids are submitted via the Ariba Sourcing Tool with public opening via Microsoft Teams.