Thanksgiving holiday fresh produce

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Contracts and Procurement Department is soliciting bids for a Thanksgiving holiday fresh produce procurement through Invitation for Bid (IW231342). The solicitation seeks vendors to provide 248,000 boxes of green celery (30-bunches per box, 50-55 lbs), 694,000 cartons of green cabbage (5-lb cartons), 545,000 bags of white or yellow onions (50-lb bags), 773,000 cartons of red or golden delicious apples (113-138 count per carton), and 773,000 cartons of navel or early Texas oranges (113-138 count per carton). All produce must be delivered to the Snyder Distribution Center located at 2100 N King Highway in Snyder, TX by October 31, 2025. The bid opening is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with a deadline for questions on October 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM CST. Bids can be submitted electronically to bids@tdcj.texas.gov or via hard copy, with a 10 MB attachment limit for electronic submissions. Vendors must include all freight, delivery, and import charges in the unit cost and comply with specific produce quality specifications and delivery requirements.

While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, bidders must meet numerous compliance requirements to be eligible. Vendors are required to provide certifications including E-Verify system verification, anti-boycott declarations, and affirmations regarding conflict of interest and fraud prevention. The solicitation includes strict security protocols for deliveries to correctional facilities, including staff background checks, vehicle inspections, and restrictions on interactions with inmates. Bidders must comply with state and federal regulations, including provisions related to potential suspension, debarment, and eligibility verification. The contract includes provisions for 30-day payment processing and is contingent on legislative appropriations, with TDCJ reserving the right to terminate if sufficient funds are not available. While no specific budget range is provided, the comprehensive nature of the produce procurement suggests a substantial contract value covering multiple items across a significant delivery volume.