MPA 77 Fresh Bread, Rolls, Bagels and Related Bakery Products

The State of Rhode Island, Division of Purchases, is soliciting proposals to establish a Qualified Vendor List Master Price Agreement (QLVM) for the supply and delivery of fresh bread, rolls, bagels, and related bakery products to state agencies and authorized entities. Vendors must meet strict technical qualification criteria, including compliance with federal, state, and local food safety regulations, and must submit documentation proving possession of a valid Rhode Island Department of Health processor license, current health inspection reports, and certified food safety manager credentials for all facilities involved in manufacturing, storing, or distributing products. Only vendors who pass all pass/fail evaluation gates—covering licensing, operational capacity, delivery capability, and full execution of the EasiBuy Bidder Terms and Conditions—will be eligible to proceed. Successful bidders will be invited to participate in a reverse auction scheduled for September 3, 2026, to finalize pricing, though the State retains the right to award based on submitted bids without conducting the auction if it deems it in its best interest. The procurement encompasses 20 specific product lines including pullman loaves, Italian bread, low-calorie options, rolls, buns, bagels, English muffins, and bread crumbs, all of which must strictly conform to the package weights, slice counts, and packaging specifications detailed in Attachment B, the Pricing Sheet. All products must be freshly baked and delivered FOB destination by 6:00 AM Monday through Friday, with Saturday deliveries required for the Department of Corrections, and must clearly display the baked-on and sell-by dates printed directly on the packaging—adhesive stickers are prohibited. Nutritional labeling is mandatory for every item, and no substitutions are allowed without prior written approval. Shipping cases must be bar-coded, bulk items palletized on 48” x 40” pallets, and all shipments must be sealed. Vendors must also enter into the EasiBuy platform, agreeing to pay a 1% transaction fee on all payments received from the State or its agents, and complete and submit signed copies of Attachment A. Quarterly reporting is required within 45 days after each fiscal quarter, detailing billing volume in dollars and quantities shipped per line item, along with usage statistics from municipalities, schools, and quasi-public agencies. Failure to submit reports may result in contract termination or suspension from future procurements. The State maintains full inspection rights, including facility audits and sample requests at any time, and reserves the right to audit the vendor's transaction fee reporting. Responses must be submitted