nutritionals and supplements

Solicitation 02926 is a statewide contract issued by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services to establish multiple awards for the supply of medical, nutritional, and dietary food products and dietary supplements. The scope includes powdered and liquid formulas for essential and non-essential nutrients, vitamins, and dietary management, specifically targeting newborns, the elderly, and individuals with medical deficiencies. Primary purchasers include Washington hospitals and prison facilities, though purchases using WIC and Medicaid are explicitly excluded from the contract scope. The contract emphasizes strict environmental and safety standards, requiring products to meet U.S. EPA Safer Choice and Design for the Environment standards. Specific post-consumer recycled content minimums are mandated for plastic (15%), glass (25%), metal (30%), and fiber/cardboard (50%) packaging. Contractors must also make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure products are free of PFAS, phthalates, and other bioaccumulative toxics, with specific PCB-free certifications required via EPA Analytical Method 1668c. Logistically, contractors must ship products within 14 calendar days, with emergency expedited shipping available within 4 days. Shipping is FOB destination with a minimum order threshold of 25 lbs and free shipping for orders of 350 lbs or more. Payment terms are generally 30 calendar days from the invoice date. Bidders are evaluated on a pass/fail basis regarding responsiveness, performance specifications, and responsibility. To be eligible, bidders must provide a Bidder's Certification (Exhibit A) and may be categorized as microbusinesses, minibusinesses, or certified veteran-owned businesses based on revenue and ownership criteria.