Thanksgiving holiday fresh produce

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Contracts and Procurement Department has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for a fresh produce procurement solicitation for the Wynne Food Service Warehouse in Huntsville, Texas. The specific procurement includes approximately 829 bags of green celery, 2,322 cartons of green cabbage, 1,825 bags of white or yellow onions, 2,587 cartons of red or golden delicious apples, and 2,587 cartons of navel or early Texas oranges, to be delivered by October 31, 2025. The bid opening is scheduled for 3 P.M. on October 21, 2025, with electronic submission preferred via email to bids@tdcj.texas.gov, and a hard copy submission also accepted. Bidders must comply with specific delivery requirements, including strict security protocols for delivery staff such as background checks and vehicle search requirements. Evaluation criteria will include unit pricing for each produce item, with delivery and availability potentially factoring into the award decision. Vendors must certify eligibility to participate in the transaction, comply with terrorism watch lists, and acknowledge that contract payments may be applied towards eliminating state debts.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Vendors must comply with multiple state-mandated certifications, including E-Verify compliance, non-discrimination policies, and verifications that they do not boycott specific entities. The standard terms and conditions indicate that contract performance is contingent on legislative appropriations, with TDCJ reserving the right to terminate contracts if sufficient funds are not available. Vendors must maintain independent contractor status and provide unit pricing with potential for early payment discounts. Financial terms include payment within thirty calendar days after invoice receipt or goods delivery. While no specific budget range is provided in the documents, the solicitation suggests a focused procurement for a specific holiday period delivery to the TDCJ food service system. Vendors must also demonstrate compliance with accessibility standards and provide certifications regarding conflicts of interest and eligibility to conduct business with the state of Texas.