8915--VASD Fresh Produce Base Plus 4 OY

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This document is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI, not a solicitation, issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gather information about potential qualified sources capable of providing Fresh Produce for the San Diego VA Healthcare System. The purpose is to inform acquisition decisions and potentially lead to future RFIs or solicitations. Responses will be used for planning purposes only.

• Provision of fresh produce products listed on a schedule.

• Orders to be placed via email, telephone, fax, or contractor web site.

• Products must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations regarding preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales.

• Products must be clean, sound, wholesome, and free from foreign material.

• Specific requirements for mold inhibitors, odors, color, consistency, and shelf life (minimum 5 days for prepared produce after delivery).

• Packaging and labeling must adhere to good commercial practice and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

• Deliveries must be made between 6:30 am and 10:00 am, Monday through Saturday, excluding Sundays and Federal Holidays.

• Delivery vehicles must be enclosed and protect products from contamination.

• Temperature requirements: chilled products pre-cooled to max 40°F, dairy products at 41°F or below.

• Contractor employees must wear uniforms and ID badges.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: Base year plus four option years.

• Anticipated Period of Performance: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 for the base year.

• Estimated value: Not specified, but contractors shall complete VETS-100 report at least 7 days prior to bid due date if a solicitation is issued.

• This is an RFI; responses are not offers and cannot form a binding contract.

• Responses should include company name, address, point of contact, and business size information.

• Specific questions regarding capabilities, size status, manufacturer/distributor status, Buy American Act compliance, lead time, life span, and existing Federal contracts must be addressed.

• Pricing information is encouraged for market research purposes only.

• Responses must be submitted via email to sam.choo@va.gov.

• Response deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, by 10:00 AM PST.

• NAICS code: 311991 (size standard of 700 Employees).

• Vendors are asked to indicate their business size status (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, Large Business).

• A list of specific produce items with quantities and units is provided (Items 1-50).

• Alternative methods (e.g., organic) are encouraged.

• The government reserves the right to inspect facilities and products.

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This document is a Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for planning purposes. It is NOT a solicitation. The VA is seeking information on qualified sources capable of providing fresh produce to the San Diego VA Healthcare System. The goal is to gather market information to inform future acquisition decisions, which may include further RFIs or a formal solicitation.

The contractor will be required to provide fresh produce products as listed on a schedule. Orders will be placed by email, telephone, fax, or contractor website, with delivery typically required one business day after the order is placed. The anticipated contract period is for a base year plus four option years, with the base year performance period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

• Product Quality: Products must be clean, sound, wholesome, free from foreign material, and meet specific standards for mold, odor, color, and consistency. Prepared produce must have a minimum 5-day shelf life post-delivery.

• Packaging: Must comply with good commercial practice and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Prepared items require readable open code dates.

• Delivery: Deliveries are scheduled between 6:30 am and 10:00 am, Monday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays. Deliveries must be made in an enclosed truck maintaining specific temperature requirements (40°F for chilled products, 41°F or below for dairy).

• Compliance: Products must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Facilities must have been inspected by the Federal Government within the last six months.

• Inspection: The government reserves the right to inspect facilities and products at any time.

• Information Requested: Companies interested in providing these services should submit a capabilities statement addressing how they can meet the draft salient characteristics/SOW requirements, provide feedback on requirements, indicate their business size status (SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, Large Business, etc.), confirm small business status under NAICS 311991 (700 employee size standard), identify as manufacturer/distributor, and address other specific questions regarding compliance, COTS, Buy American Act, lead times, leasing, and existing federal contracts.

• Pricing: General pricing information is encouraged for market research purposes only.

• Submission Deadline: Responses must be received by sam.choo@va.gov no later than March 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM PST.

This RFI is seeking information on qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS code 311991 (size standard of 700 employees). Specific set-aside information is not detailed in this RFI, but respondents are asked to indicate their business size status.

• This is an RFI for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.
• Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract.
• All expenses for responding are the responsibility of the responder.
• A list of specific produce items and estimated quantities is provided in the document.