Request for Information (RFI) for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables support for DLA’s (Department of War)DoW and Non-DoW customers located in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

This is a Request for Information ("RFI"). DLA Troop Support Agency’s Subsistence Produce Program is interested in comments and feedback regarding the Agency's full line produce support to Department of War (“DoW”) military aka (“Troops”) and Non-DoD, United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Schools customers throughout the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts,  Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and Tribes in Maine.  There is no solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government and any information provided in response to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only and will not be released.  Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked.  Please note that by responding to the Agency’s request, a potential offeror is not promised for any future business with the Government. The sole purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to assist the Agency in crafting an appropriate solicitation in the future. 

Background: The Agency intends to issue a solicitation and ultimately enter into indefinite quantity contract(s) (“IQC”) with a commercial firm(s) to supply a full-line of United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Grade Number 1 or better quality fresh fruits and vegetables (“FF&V”) and Shell Eggs (if required by the customers) to Department of War (“DoW”, or “Troop”) and USDA (“Schools”) and (“Tribes”-ME only) customers in the New England zone.  Specific quality requirements per item are included in the Schedule of Items Attachment 1. When proposing in response to a solicitation, failure to propose the specified quality requirement per item as identified in Attachment 1 may render an offeror’s proposal technically unacceptable.  If the item’s description in Attachment 1 does not provide a specific quality grade, the minimum quality grade that is required to meet the terms of this Solicitation is USDA Grade Number 1.