89--"VISN 18 Milk and Dairy" Purchase and Delivery Services

SOURCES SOUGHT The purpose of this sources sought is to determine how many and what type of businesses are capable of fully performing the below described requirements and to determine whether or not a set-aside and which type, may be appropriate. If your company directly produces and delivers the below listed projects, not through a subcontracting or similar arrangement, please contact this office and let us know your if you are interested in performing. Any interested parties SHALL reply to the following email address with your business size, and small business category's you qualify for and a brief statement of your capabilities to perform. Multiple awards are contemplated. The below description is only a quick over-view of the contract requirements. "MILK AND DAIRY REQUIREMENTS" FOR VISN 18 VA HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, AND W. TEXAS 1. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide all required Milk and Dairy products for five VISN 18 VA medical facilities in AZ, NM, and W. TX. All milk types in various size containers, yogurts, ice cream, sour cream, etc. shall be supplied. All items furnished under this Contract shall be prepared, processed, and packed under sanitary conditions and in accordance with good commercial practice. All containers shall be clean, sound, and securely covered or sealed to provide adequate protection from dirt, filth, and all other contamination. Chilled and frozen items shall be maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product according to the standards established by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). 2. Performance Requirements: 2.1 The delivered products shall comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace. All deliveries shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 2.2 The temperature of any chilled dairy item shall be within the temperature range (usually 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less) as specified in the "Grade A pasteurized Milk Ordinance - 1978 Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service" or latest revision thereof (2001 Revision). The temperature of frozen milk and dairy items shall be sufficiently low to ensure that the product is frozen completely, but not higher than 20 F. There must be no evidence of thawing or refreezing. 2.3 Each carton of milk and dairy product to include ice cream and flavored drinks must have an expiration date clearly stamped in a visible location. (Cartons of milk and cottage cheese - date shall allow a minimum of seven (7) days in the future; lactose-free milk cartons must have a minimum of two months in the future; flavored drink containers: date must be a minimum of 14 days in the future). 3. Quality Assurance: All raw milk and dairy products, finished products, and the plant in which the products are processed shall comply with all applicable requirements of the "Grade A pasteurized Milk Ordinance - 1978 Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service" or latest revision thereof (2001 Revision), or regulations substantially equivalent thereto. *******COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS TO BE PROVIDED WITH SOLICITATION*******