8915--GLA Produce

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 311991 (size standard of 700 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing repetitive delivery of various fresh produce requirements for West LA VA Medical Centers. The list of DRAFT characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required. APPLE, GALA, FRESH, 2.75 IN-WASHINGTON EXTRA FANCY, 125 COUNT/CASE 200 CS BANANA, PETITE, FRESH, 150-COUNT/CASE, RIPENESS SCALE # 4, MORE YELLOW THAN GREEN, FIRM, CUT FULL TOP FINGERS, LEVEL-C PACKAGING. FED Y-B-91D. 40 LB. 500 CS CABBAGE, GREEN, FRESH, U.S. NO.1 DICED, TRIMMED-CORED, 2 INCHES X 2 INCHES, 4/5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED BAGS PER CASE LABELED  WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 125 CS CABBAGE, RED, FRESH, U.S. NO.1 DICED, TRIMMED-CORED, 2 INCHES X 2 INCHES, 4/5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED BAGS PER CASE LABELED  WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 125 CS CARROT, BABY, FRESH, READY TO USE, PEELED, 100 2-OZ BAG PER CASE, A-A-20191B, STYLE IV, SIZE A. ALL BAGS SHOW MFG. 14-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 150 CS CELERY, FRESH, DICED, 1/4-INCH, U.S. NO.1 GRADE. PACKED IN 5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 100 BG FRUIT SALAD MIX CUP, FRESH CUT, 4-OZ CUP, MIX OF FRESH FRUIT CHUNKS, 1-INCH DIA. TO BE CANTALOUPE, HONEYDEW AND RED SEEDLESS GRAPES, PACKED IN PLASTIC CUP LESS THAN 3-INCH TALL. ALL CUPS TO BE LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 13000 EA LEMONS, SLICED 1/4", FRESH, 5-POUND TUB  ARE TO BE LABELED WITH A FIVE 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE 100 TUB LETTUCE, GREEN, FRESH, LEAF CROWNS, WELL TRIMMED AND DEVELOPED, U.S. NO.1 GRADE, 300-LEAF COUNT PER CASE. PACKED 10-POUND CASE. 200 CS MIX, SALAD, FRESH, CHOPPED RED CABBAGE 10%, ROMAINE LETTUCE 80%, AND SHREDDED CARROTS 10%. PACKED 4/5-POUND PLASTIC BAG CASE. A-A 20316, TYPE-II, STYLE-H.  CABBAGE TYPE-1, STYLE M. ALL BAG ARE TO BE SEALED AND LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. ICEBERG LETTUCE IS NOT BE USED OR SUBSITUTED IN THIS MIX. 1000 CS MUSHROOM, FRESH, SLICED, WHITE,MEDIUM 1-1/4-INCH TO 1-3/4-INCH, U.S.NO. 1 GRADE, PACKED 4/2.5POUND PLASTIC BAG/CASE LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE 100 CS ONION, RED, FRESH, SLICED ¼-INCH, PEELED, SLAB CUT, ROUGH SLICED FOR HAMBUGERS. PACKED 5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG, LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 150 BG ONION, YELLOW, FRESH, DICED ¼-INCH, PEELED, PACKED IN 5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABLED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. FED HH-V 1867/4. 220 BG ONION, YELLOW, FRESH, SLICED ¼-INCH, PEELED, SLAB-CUT, ROUGH SLICED FOR HAMBUGERS. PACKED 5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. FED-HHH-V1867/4 240 BG ORANGE, FRESH, NAVEL, MEDIUM SIZE, U.S. NO.1, PEELED, 4-OZ CUP, CONTAINER NOT TO EXCEED 3-INCH HEIGHT, WHOLE SEGMENT, NOT BROKEN, WATERY, OR DISCOLORED 12000 EA ORANGE, FRESH, NAVEL,U.S. NO.1 GRADE, 113-COUNT/CASE, LEVEL-C PACKAGING, FED Y-F-1741/13.  40- POUND CASE 300 CS PARSLEY, FRESH U.S. NO.1 GRADE, CURLY-LEAF, GOOD GREEN COLOR. FREE FROM DECAY, SEED STEMS, YELLOW OR DISCOLORED LEAVES, WILTING, FREEZING, DIRT. FED Y-F-1741/20.  PACKED IN 1 POUND VACUUM- SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. LEVEL-C PACKAGING. 60 BG PEAR, BARTLETT, GREEN, FRESH, U.S. NO.1, MATURE, FIRM, RIPE, WELL-FORMED, FREE FROM DECAY AND DAMAGE, CLEAN. 135-COUNT/CASE 90 CS PEPPER, GREEN, FRESH, DICED ¼-INCH, U.S. NO.1 GRADE, PACKED IN 5-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 150 BG POTATO, FRESH, PEELED, DICED ½-INCH, U.S. NO.1 GRADE, RUSSET WHITE. PACKED 10-POUND VACUUM-SEALED PLASTIC BAG. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE 150 BG POTATO, RUSSET, FRESH, 120-COUNT CASE 120 CS POTATOES, RED, U.S. NO.1,QUARTERED 1/2" X 2", SKIN-ON, 10-POUND BAG PACK IN VACUUM-SEALED BAG AND LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE. 400 BG SPINACH, FRESH, LEAF, WASHED, CLEANED, U.S. NO.1 GRADE, PACKED 4 /2.5-POUND PLASTIC BAG/CASE. ALL BAGS TO BE LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE 160 CS TOMATO, FRESH, SLICED, 1/4-INCH CUT THICK, U.S. NO.1 GRADE, 2 1/2-INCHES MINIMUM DIAMETER, LIGHT RED TO RED, 90-COUNT PER TRAY. PACK IN CONTAINER ACCORDING TO APPROVED INDUSTRY STANDARDS TO DRAIN EXCESS LIQUID AWAY FROM PRODUCT. LABELED WITH A 5-DAY EXPIRATION DATE 800 CS
If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement. (2) Please review the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW? (6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). (7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified. (8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6? (9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items? (10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice? (11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? (12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate. (13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail? (14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained. (15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate. (16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s). (17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to victor. contact@example.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than October 30, 2025, by 15:00 PST. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.