Request for Proposals for Fresh Fruit & Vegetable support for DLA Troop Support's DoD and Non-DoD customers located in State of South Carolina.

This is a solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested.

The DLA Troop Support intends to solicit for a full-line of produce support for DoD (Troop) customers and Non-DoD (USDA School) customers located in the South Carolina Zone.  This acquisition will be issued on a small business set-aside (100%) basis. A waiver of the Non-Manufacturer rule has not been requested for this acquisition because it is an acquisition for multiple items. In accordance with 13 CFR 121.406(d)(1), if at least 50% of the estimated contract value of an acquisition for multiple items is composed of items that are manufactured by small business concerns, then a waiver of the Non-Manufacturer rule is not required. As such, for this acquisition, it is expected that items comprising at least 50% of the contract value will be manufactured by small business concerns. The contracting officer must be immediately notified if it appears as though this requirement will not be met.

The total length of the contract will be five (5) years.  It contains one (1) twenty-four (24) month tier, and two (2) eighteen (18) month tiers.

Its estimated maximum total contract dollar value is $376,050,000.00.  The delivery points require indefinite quantities of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables throughout the term of the contract.  A more detailed listing of the delivery sites can be found in the solicitation.  All responsible sources may submit proposals that will be considered by DLA Troop Support.

The Government will award a contract(s) resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer(s) conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.  The source selection method for this procurement will be the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection procedures and shall use the following to evaluate offers:

1. Technical Acceptability - A technically acceptable offer is an offer that takes no exceptions to the terms and conditions in the solicitation and complies fully with all submission requirements, including submissions relating to the two sub-factors listed below.  A proposal that takes exception to solicitation terms and conditions or that fails to comply with all submission requirements may be deemed technically unacceptable and, thus, may be found ineligible, and removed from further consideration, for the award.  By submitting a proposal with no exceptions, an offeror is confirming it possesses the necessary facilities, equipment, technical skills and capacity to successfully provide all items required by this solicitation. The following sub-factors will be evaluated and must be found acceptable for a proposal to be eligible for award:

A. Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) License – The offeror shall possess and submit proof of a valid current PACA license. 

B. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Audit – The offeror shall submit a valid, current USDA GAP/GMP audit report / certificate covering a full range of fresh fruits and vegetables for each place of performance identified in the offeror’s proposal. The audit report must demonstrate a passing score, and specifically passing in the following parts: General, Wholesale Distribution (6) and Preventive Food Defense (7). In lieu of a USDA GAP/GMP audit report / certificate, the offeror may submit an audit report / certificate conducted by a recognized private independent third-party certifying company certifying to an industry recognized food safety standard that exceeds all aspects of the USDA GAP/GMP audit report / certificate requirements. The audit report(s) must demonstrate that a passing score(s) was/were received. NOTE: Offerors relying on a non-USDA GAP/GMP audit report / certificate must agree to have a USDA GAP/GMP audit report / certificate for each place of performance by the start of contract performance.

2. Pricing - Pricing is required for all items found in the Schedule of Items (for each Group, if applicable) and for all tiers. Failure to offer pricing for all items and for all tiers may result in a proposal being removed from consideration for award as technically unacceptable. The Government will perform an aggregate price analysis on all items found in the Schedule of Items (for each Group, if applicable). To determine an offeror's Evaluated Aggregate Price, the Weighted Aggregate Distribution Price