VDC/invite to bid/peanut butter (kosher bulk))/10-26128831

The Commonwealth of Virginia's Division of Purchases and Supply is requesting sealed bids for a term contract to supply kosher-certified bulk peanut butter in two pack sizes to the Virginia Distribution Center in Sandston, Virginia, with bids due October 13, 2026. Bidders must submit responses through the eVA electronic bidding system; hand-delivered, emailed, faxed, or mailed bids will not be accepted.

The Commonwealth has established a small-business utilization goal of 42% of purchases from businesses certified by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD). All bidders must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan with their bid response. DSBSD-certified small businesses and micro businesses receive set-aside award priority, with transaction fees capped at 1 percent.

The scope comprises two items on a lot-bid basis requiring bids on both: Item 1 consists of domestic, kosher-certified, homogenized smooth peanut butter in US Grade A quality packaged in 6/5-pound plastic tubs with tamper-evident closure or composite cans (approximate annual usage 1,820 cases); Item 2 is the same product specifications in 50-pound "bag in box" format (approximate annual usage 6,030 boxes). Products must meet USDA commodity requirements for peanut butter, including aflatoxin content not exceeding 15 parts per billion, blanched peanuts with hearts and germs removed, and microbiological standards for Salmonella and E. coli. All food products must be wholesome, commercially available, institutional quality or better, recently produced and packaged, and no more than 12 months old at delivery; products with maximum shelf lives of 12 months or less require at least 90 days of remaining shelf life at delivery.

The contract term is two years from award with three optional one-year renewal periods. Bid pricing must be submitted as firm unit prices on an F.O.B. delivered basis with all freight included. Minimum order quantities are 24 pallets per shipment (single or mixed items), with delivery required within 24 to 26 calendar days after receipt of order. Price escalation is permitted only after 150 days from the effective date and only when product-cost increases are verified and documented, with 30 days' notice required.

An optional pre-bid teleconference is scheduled for September 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Written clarification questions are due October 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Public bid opening is October 13, 2026, at 3:05 p.m. EDT. All bidders must submit the State Corporation Commission Form, Vendor Data Sheet, and Small Business Subcontracting Plan with their electronic bid response. The Commonwealth reserves the right to conduct product testing and sensory evaluation and to request bid samples within five days of notification.