Vegetable Boxes for DOC-LSP - Addendum No. 1 - Extending Bid Opening Date, Specification Revisions

The Louisiana Office of State Procurement has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC-LSP) seeking 30,000 custom-made corrugated vegetable boxes. The procurement is structured as a blanket order contract effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with potential renewals for two additional 12-month periods. The required vegetable boxes must meet specific dimensional specifications: 16"-18" length, 4"-6" width, and 24"-26" height, constructed using Test & Flute 275c Kraft Joint-Glue with water resistance. Boxes must be palletized in quantities of 250 or 300 per pallet, with no printing allowed. The bid opening is scheduled for June 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST, with both electronic and physical submission options available through the vendor portal or direct delivery to the Claiborne Building in Baton Rouge. Evaluation will be conducted on a lowest responsive, responsible bidder basis, with a minimum initial delivery requirement of 15,000 boxes.

The procurement includes several Louisiana-specific preferences that provide competitive advantages to businesses. Vendors can claim preferences for Louisiana-produced products, further processed Louisiana products, and United States-manufactured products, with cost tolerances ranging from 5% to 10% above competing bids. To participate, vendors must be registered in the LaGov system and submit all required documentation, including a W-9 for newly registered vendors. Payment will be processed electronically through the LaCarte procurement card for purchases under $5,000 or via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract allows for flexible ordering with the state reserving the right to increase or decrease order quantities at established unit prices. Vendors are required to have a workforce comprised of at least 50% Louisiana residents to qualify for certain procurement preferences. The state maintains the right to inspect delivered merchandise to ensure compliance with bid specifications.