Tomato Paste

The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) Purchasing/Contracts Division is issuing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the procurement of tomato paste to supply the department's Central Distribution Center in Salem, Oregon. The solicitation seeks approximately 1,904 cases of tomato paste, with an estimated requirement of two full truckloads (952 cases per load, approximately 40,000 pounds per load). The tomato paste must meet USDA Grade A, Fancy, Grade C, or Standard specifications, contain no more than two ingredients with tomato as the primary ingredient, have sodium content not exceeding 240 mg per tablespoon, be supplied in cans only, and maintain a minimum twelve-month shelf life prior to the best-use-by date. Bidders must submit responses exclusively through the OregonBuys system, with a deadline for requesting clarifications or changes by March 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM PST and a bid closing date of March 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM PST. The first delivery is scheduled within 30 days after receipt of a purchase order, with the remaining delivery four weeks thereafter or as scheduled by warehouse staff. Pricing must be submitted on an FOB Destination basis with all transportation, fuel surcharge, and delivery charges prepaid by the contractor, and contractors must maintain general commercial liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 for multiple claimants, auto liability coverage of $2,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation insurance. Payment is normally made within 30 days following delivery and acceptance or invoice receipt, whichever is later.

ODOC applies a five percent preference for Oregon-fabricated or processed goods and a five percent preference for resident bidders headquartered in Oregon, for a maximum total preference of ten percent. The historical purchase price for tomato paste was $27.75 per case as of May 2025 from Highland Wholesale, which provides a reference point for potential bid pricing. The solicitation does not permit protests per ORS 421.438(2) and OAR 291-164-0120(1)(a)(F). Emailed bids will be deemed non-responsive, requiring all submissions through the designated OregonBuys system. No specific contract award value or budget range is explicitly stated in the solicitation; however, based on the historical pricing of $27.75 per case and the procurement of approximately 1,904 cases, the estimated contract value would be in the range of approximately $52,836 to $65,000, depending on current market pricing and any applicable preferences for qualified bidders.