8910--Dairy Products IDIQ Base Plus 4 OY

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This document is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI, not a solicitation. Its purpose is to gather information from potential qualified sources regarding their capabilities and size classification for NAICS code 311511 (size standard of 1,150 Employees). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing routine deliveries of Grade A milk and dairy products to the VA New Mexico Healthcare System. The information gathered will aid in acquisition planning and may lead to future RFIs or solicitations.

• Products: Grade A milk products, cottage cheese, and beverages.

• Compliance: Products must comply with FDA, USDA, New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), and local health department requirements.

• Estimated Annual Quantities:

  • Milk, 1% (1/2 pint carton): 90,000 units
  • Milk, Whole (1/2 pint carton): 20,000 units
  • Milk, Chocolate (1/2 pint carton): 6,500 units
  • Cottage Cheese, Creamed (5 lb tub): 75 tubs
  • Fruit Punch, 1 gallon: 50 units
  • Orange Punch, 1 gallon: 50 units

• Specific Tasks: Provide products as ordered, coordinate administrative matters with the Contracting Officer (CO), and adhere to firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery contract terms.

• Packaging & Shipping: Products must be packed to prevent damage/contamination. Gallon containers must be plastic; half-pint units must be cardboard cartons. Labeling must comply with FDA requirements. Items must be date-labeled (coded dates require decoding charts). Manufacturing plants must be approved and sanitary.

• Temperature Control: Chilled milk/dairy: 35°F-41°F. Pasteurized milk transport: up to 45°F. Frozen products: 0°F or below. Dry goods: below 70°F.

• Shelf-Life: Fluid milk: minimum 10 days remaining. Cottage cheese: delivered within 4 days of packaging (or 7 days for extended shelf-life).

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Contract.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (Award Date in 2026 through 365 days) plus four option years (2027-2031).

• Response Deadline: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by 10:00 AM PT.

• Submission Method: Email to sam.choo@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted.

• Required Information: Company name, address, point of contact, size of business (including specific small business categories), capabilities statement addressing draft/salient characteristics/SOW requirements, manufacturer/distributor status, Buy American Act compliance, lead time, and SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code.

• Pricing: General pricing is encouraged for market research purposes only and will not be used for award evaluation.

• Information requested on business size status (SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, Large Business, etc.) and whether the company is considered small under NAICS 311511.

• This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.

• Responders are responsible for all expenses associated with responding.

• Responses will be used to make acquisition decisions; further RFIs or solicitations may follow.

• Deliveries will occur twice weekly (typically Monday and Thursday) between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

• Place of Performance: VA New Mexico Healthcare System, 1501 San Pedro SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is NOT a solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking information on potential qualified sources capable of providing routine deliveries of milk and dairy products to the VA New Mexico Healthcare System. The goal is to gather market information to aid in future acquisition decisions.

• Supply and deliver Grade A milk and dairy products to VA New Mexico Healthcare System.

• Products must comply with FDA, USDA, NMDA, and local health department requirements.

• Estimated annual quantities include: 90,000 units of 1% milk (1/2 pint), 20,000 units of Whole milk (1/2 pint), 6,500 units of Chocolate milk (1/2 pint), 75 tubs of Cottage Cheese (5 lb), and 50 units each of Fruit Punch and Orange Punch (1 gallon).

• Deliveries are expected twice weekly (typically Monday and Thursday, 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.).

• Products must meet specific temperature control requirements (35°F–41°F for chilled, 0°F or below for frozen).

• Fluid milk must have a minimum 10 days remaining shelf life upon delivery.

• Packaging must comply with FDA Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirements, including date labeling.

• The anticipated contract type is Firm-Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Contract.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (Date of Award in 2026 through 365 days) plus four Option Years (2027-2031).

• Interested parties should submit a capabilities statement addressing how they can meet the SOW requirements.

• Responses should include company name, address, POC, business size status (SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, Large Business, etc.), and confirmation of small business status under NAICS 311511 (size standard 1,150 employees).

• Additional information requested includes feedback on requirements, manufacturer/distributor status, COTS confirmation, Buy American Act compliance, lead times, solution lifespan, leasing options, and existing Federal contracts.

• Pricing information is encouraged for market research purposes.

• NAICS Code: 311511 (Dairy Product Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,150 employees.

• The RFI does not specify a set-aside at this time.

• Responses must be received by email to sam.choo@va.gov no later than Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by 10:00 AM PT.

• This RFI is for planning purposes only. Responses are not offers and will not be used to form a binding contract.

• Further RFIs or a solicitation may be issued based on responses received.