Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services intends to award a sole-source contract to Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) for promotional advertising services under the "Fresh From Florida" Grocery Retailer Marketing Program. The procurement is based on statutory authority, specifically Florida Statutes sections 120.57(3), 287.057(3), and related rules, and is not a competitive bidding process. The contract aims to support nationwide in-store, print, television, and digital advertising campaigns to promote Florida-grown agricultural products within AWG’s cooperative retail network. The estimated contract value ranges from approximately $125,000 to $200,000, with performance expected through June 30, 2026. The procurement notice emphasizes that prospective vendors who believe they can provide the required services should submit relevant information by December 17, 2025, for consideration. If the Department determines that the services are only available from AWG, it will publicly announce its intent to contract with them via the Vendor Information Portal. The contract does not include FAR-based clauses, standard evaluation factors, or detailed specifications, as it is a state-level, single-source action justified by AWG’s exclusive access to its retail network. The scope of work focuses on executing branding and promotional activities aligned with FDACS branding guidelines, with oversight and acceptance conducted within Florida. The notice also references attached documentation for detailed product and service descriptions, though no specific attachments or certifications are included in the available information.