Request for Information (RFI) for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables support for DLA’s (Department of War)DoW and Non-DoW customers located in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Project ID: SPE30026R0035 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	DLA Troop Support - Subsistence
Deadline	06/22/26
Posted	06/12/26
Estimated Value	Not Provided
Set Aside	None
NAICS	311991 - Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
PSC	8915 - Fruits And Vegetables
Location	Boston, MA United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

This is a Request for Information ("RFI"). DLA Troop Support Agency's Subsistence Produce Program is interested in comments and feedback regarding the Agency's full line produce support to Department of War ( DoW ) military aka ( Troops ) and Non-DoD, United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Schools customers throughout the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and Tribes in Maine. There is no solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government and any information provided in response to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only and will not be released. Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked. Please note that by responding to the Agency's request, a potential offeror is not promised for any future business with the Government. The sole purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to assist the Agency in crafting an appropriate solicitation in the future.

Background

The Agency intends to issue a solicitation and ultimately enter into indefinite quantity contract(s) ( IQC ) with a commercial firm(s) to supply a full-line of United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Grade Number 1 or better quality fresh fruits and vegetables ( FF&V ) and Shell Eggs (if required by the customers) to Department of War ( DoW , or Troop ) and USDA ( Schools ) and ( Tribes -ME only) customers in the New England zone. Specific quality requirements per item are included in the Schedule of Items Attachment 1. When proposing in response to a solicitation, failure to propose the specified quality requirement per item as identified in Attachment 1 may render an offeror's proposal technically unacceptable. If the item's description in Attachment 1 does not provide a specific quality grade, the minimum quality grade that is required to meet the terms of this Solicitation is USDA Grade Number 1. In the solicitation that is contemplated, the aforementioned zone will be comprised of five (5) Groups in the area described above, including Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5 [includes Group 5a and Group 5b]. Group 1 will consist of DoW Troops in the New England Zone (CT, RI, MA, VT, ME, and NH). Group 2 will consist of USDA Schools in CT. Group 3 will consist of USDA Schools in MA and RI. Group 4 will consist of USDA Schools in VT. Group 5[will consist of Group 5a- USDA Schools in ME and NH, and Group 5b-Tribes customers in ME]. Attachment 2 identifies all customers in each group. After soliciting, the Agency intends to make one award per Group. The offeror must support all of the customers in the Group for which they make an offer. Offerors may submit a proposal for any single group or multiple groups. Offerors are required to propose on all items in the Schedule of Items for each Group on which it offers. Failure to do so may result in a proposal being deemed technically unacceptable and therefore excluded from further consideration for award. Because the Contracting Officer is not obligated to initiate negotiations, when proposing to the solicitation each offeror shall submit its most competitive proposal for each Group it has chosen to propose on. Said proposal shall be responsive to all of the Solicitation's requirements and free from any deficiencies. There are three enclosed attachments: 1) Market Survey Questionnaire. 2) Attachment 1 - Schedule of Items (SOI) for Group 1-Troops, Group 2-CT Schools, Group 3-MA & RI Schools, Group 4-VT Schools, Group 5 [Group 5a-ME & NH Schools, and Group 5b-ME & NH Tribes] 3) Attachment 2 - Delivery Schedule for Group 1-Troops, Group 2-CT Schools, Group 3-MA & RI Schools, Group 4-VT Schools, Group 5[Group 5a-ME & NH Schools, and Group 5b-ME & NH Tribes]

PLEASE NOTE

You are only required to send back the Market Research Survey PDF file.

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The DLA Troop Support Agency’s Subsistence Produce Program is conducting market research to gather feedback regarding the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables (FF&V) to Department of War (DoW) military troops and USDA Schools in New England. The goal is to issue a solicitation for indefinite quantity contracts with commercial firms to provide USDA Grade Number 1 or better quality FF&V and Shell Eggs as needed. This RFI serves as a preliminary step to inform future solicitations, and no compensation will be provided for responses. Work Details The contract will require the delivery of a full line of USDA Grade Number 1 or better quality fresh fruits and vegetables, including Shell Eggs if required. The solicitation will be divided into five groups: - Group 1 (DoW Troops in CT, RI, MA, VT, ME, NH) - Group 2 (USDA Schools in CT) - Group 3 (USDA Schools in MA and RI) - Group 4 (USDA Schools in VT) - Group 5 (Group 5a - USDA Schools in ME and NH; Group 5b - Tribes in ME). Offerors must propose on all items listed in the Schedule of Items for each group they wish to bid on. Failure to meet specified quality requirements may result in proposals being deemed technically unacceptable. Estimated usage reports for a 24-month period are provided in Attachment 1, with a total base tier value of $62,764,959.70 and a maximum potential value of $470,737,197.75 over five years. Period of Performance The contract is anticipated to have a base tier period of performance of 24 months. Place of Performance The geographic locations include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Bidder Requirements Bidders must demonstrate their ability to service all customers within the groups they propose on. They are required to maintain registration and possess a valid Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) License. Additionally, bidders must be capable of interfacing with the Subsistence Total Order and Receipt Electronic System (STORES) for DoD customers and the Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Order & Receipt System (FFAVORS) for USDA customers.

Contacts

Contact name	James Barr
Contact email	james.barr@dla.mil
Contact phone	(215) 737-7975
Secondary contact name	Ryan Flaherty
Secondary contact email	ryan.flaherty@dla.mil
Secondary contact phone	(445) 737-8342