8915--VASD Fresh Produce Base Plus 4 OY

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its Network Contracting Office 22, has awarded a multiple-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under solicitation number 36C26226Q0561 for the procurement of fresh produce, structured as a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5 and NAICS code 311991. The contract spans a base period of one year beginning May 1, 2026, with four optional one-year extension periods through April 30, 2031, governed by an Economic Price Adjustment clause that allows for price adjustments based on established indices. All deliveries are destined for the San Diego VA Healthcare System, with FOB Destination terms requiring the contractor to bear all shipping costs. The solicitation mandates strict adherence to Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirements, including a minimum five-day shelf life upon delivery, mold inhibitor compliance, proper labeling with manufacturer or plant codes, and freedom from foreign material, odors, and contamination. Packaging must meet commercial best practices, align with carrier regulations, and ensure protection during transit, though no military standards such as MIL-STD-129 or MIL-STD-2073 are invoked. Award will be made on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable basis, with technical acceptability evaluated on capability to meet requirements, past performance, compliance with solicitation terms, and submission of all required documentation, using a binary pass/fail threshold. Only contractors who pass technical review will have their prices evaluated for reasonableness and competitiveness. All offerors must be active in SAM.gov, possess a valid UEI and CAGE code, and certify their small business status; additional socioeconomic certifications such as VOSB, SDVOSB, WOSB, or HUBZone may be claimed but must be verified through official portals. The contract prohibits contractors affiliated with Kaspersky Lab, ByteDance, or Iranian-linked entities under supply chain security provisions, and mandates compliance with E-Verify and paid sick leave requirements. Invoicing must be submitted electronically via the VA’s EIPP system using Tungsten Network in X12 EDI or web portal format; physical payments or WAWF are not accepted, and electronic funds transfer is required. Proposals must be submitted via email by May 7, 2026, using SF-1449 format, limited to ten pages in 11pt Arial