VDC/IFB for oils and shortening/07-26122916-1

The Commonwealth of Virginia's Division of Purchases and Supply is soliciting bids for cooking oils and shortening products to supply the Virginia Distribution Center in Sandston on a term contract basis, with sealed electronic bids due July 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT and public bid opening at 2:05 p.m. the same day via teleconference. Awards will be made on a line-by-line basis to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder or bidders, and "All or None" bids are permissible for all items or groups of items.

All products must be kosher-certified and delivered within 30 days of production with a minimum of 120 days shelf life remaining. The six line items are general-purpose vegetable shortening in 50-pound cubes (2,220 cases annually), corn oil in 35-pound or 2/17.5-pound jugs (1,580 cases annually), liquid shortening for frying in 2/17.5-pound or 1/35-pound containers (1,560 cases annually), cottonseed oil in 35-pound or 2/17.5-pound sizes (125 cases annually), salad oil in 4/1-gallon plastic containers (410 cases annually), and food-release spray in 6-can cases (260 cases annually). All products must meet USDA standards and institutional quality requirements. Delivery must be scheduled through appointment at least 72 business hours in advance within acceptable windows of 7:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pallets must not exceed 2,600 pounds gross weight and 56 inches in height, be properly stretch-wrapped, and include corrugated cardboard between pallet and bottom layer.

Bidders must include a completed Small Business Subcontracting Plan as a condition of responsiveness. The Commonwealth has established a statewide goal that 42 percent of purchases be made from small businesses certified by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; proposed participation levels identified in the bid will be incorporated as contract requirements, and failure to meet them may result in breach of contract.

The initial contract term is two years with three optional one-year renewal periods. Bid pricing shall be submitted as firm unit prices on an F.O.B. delivered basis with all freight costs included. Price escalation is limited to verified increases in the Producers Price Index for shortening and cooking oils and is prohibited for 120 days after contract award. An optional pre-bid teleconference is scheduled for June 30, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.