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This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government. This notice is intended strictly for Market Research. This is a Request for Information ONLY. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Central VA Health Care System/Olin E. Teague VA Medical Center in Temple, Texas intends to award a contract for a firm fixed price contract for the purchase of Bread Products.

The Government is conducting a market survey to help determine the availability and technical capability of qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, small businesses, HUBZone small businesses and/or other large businesses capable of serving the needs identified below. This notice of intent is for open market as well as Federal Supply Schedule items.

The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification/ socioeconomic status (service-disabled veteran owned small business, veteran owned small business, women owned small business, HUB Zone, 8(a), small business or large business), relative to NAICS 311812 with a size standard of 1,000 Employees. Responses to this notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.

Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Interested parties may e-mail Maria.Hofmann@va.gov by October 16, 2026 10:00 AM CST.

Statement of Work

Project Title
Bread Delivery

Project Location(s)
VA North Texas Health Care System VA North Texas Health Care System
Dallas VA Medical Center Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center
4500 S. Lancaster Rd. 1201 East. 9th St.
Dallas, TX 75216-7167 Bonham, TX 75418-4059

Project Description
VA North Texas Health Care System (VNTHCS) requires the provision and delivery of bread
products to the Nutrition and Food Services (N&FS) departments at the Dallas and Bonham locations.

Performance Period
Base 12/01/2026 - 11/30/2027
Option Year 1 12/01/2027 - 11/30/2028
Option Year 2 12/01/2028 - 11/30/2029
Option Year 1 12/01/2029 - 11/30/2030
Option Year 1 12/01/2030 - 11/30/2031

Delivery Schedule
Deliveries shall be made to the Nutrition & Food Service walk-in cooler and must be escorted by a VA N&FS staff from the kitchen receiving area, unless otherwise directed by the participating facility s Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), including federal holidays.

VA North Texas Health Care System VA North Texas Health Care System
Dallas VA Medical Center Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center
4500 S. Lancaster Rd. 1201 East. 9th St.
Dallas, TX 75216-7167 Bonham, TX 75418-4059

Delivered Goods
The vendor is responsible for delivering bread orders a minimum of one day per week to both the Dallas and Bonham Nutrition and Food Service walk-in coolers. VA N&FS staff from the kitchen receiving area must escort the delivery person and obtain a signature from the kitchen receiving staff. The Government reserves the right to inspect delivered goods for compliance with specifications.

Freshness Requirement for Bread Products
Bread products must have a sufficient remaining shelf life of no less than seven days from delivery.
Orders
All orders will be placed as needed for delivery one day a week (no exceptions). Specific quantities and delivery dates will be determined by the COR. Contractor will not substitute items or change quantities without prior approval.

Orders Placed by Telephone
Contractor shall provide contact information for placing orders by phone. The COR shall document all verbal orders with contract and purchase order number, date and time of order, and contractor s ordering clerk's name.

Product Availability
The contractor must notify the Government if any product becomes unavailable or is available on a limited basis, offering possible substitutions and/or alternative sources.

Procurement from Another Source
If procurement from an alternate source is required due to the contractor's fault, the contractor is responsible for any price difference and additional charges.

Quality Management
The Government reserves the right to inspect any delivery vehicle for sanitation conditions, proper refrigeration, and cargo area temperature.

Contractor Delivery Personnel
All contractor personnel must wear distinctive clothing and badges bearing the name of the contractor, their picture, and name in English, with proper hair restraints.

Invoices
The contractor shall submit proper invoices weekly to N&FS. Invoices must include contract number, facility name and address, assigned purchase order/obligation number, period of performance, and an itemized list of delivered products and quantities.

Payment
No advance payments will be authorized. Payment of invoices may be delayed if invoices are not completed properly.

Personnel Policy
Contract personnel are not considered VA employees. The contractor is responsible for providing worker's compensation, professional liability insurance, health examination, income tax withholding, and social security payments.

Bread Products Required
White Sandwich Loaf
Whole Wheat Sandwich Loaf
Rye Sliced Bread
White Hamburger Buns
Wheat Hamburger Buns

Government Responsibilities
The government reserves the right to inspect delivered goods for compliance with specifications. Any items determined unacceptable will be refused with full credit/replacement.

Vendor Requirements
Deliver to Dallas N&FS kitchen and Bonham N&FS kitchen on Tuesdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Replacement of rejected products must be delivered the same day by 3:00 PM unless otherwise specified.
Provide necessary means for delivery (e.g., hand truck, dolly). The Government is not obligated to provide these means.
Packaging and labeling must comply with commercial standards and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations.
All items must have readable open code dates or coded dates. Contractors using coded dates must provide a product code number key listing.
Notify the Government of product availability issues no less than 5 days in advance.
Allow the Government to inspect delivery vehicles and warehouses for compliance with sanitation and temperature requirements.
Provide weekly invoices with detailed order information.
Offer online ordering capabilities.

Points of Contact
Sonika Kulshrestha, Chief, Nutrition & Food Service | (214) 857-0057 | Sonika.
Kulshrestha2@va.gov
LaShanda Sullivan, Supervisory Dietitian | (469) 894-0876 | LaShanda.Sullivan@va.gov
Traci Steinert, Program Manager | (214) 857-0079 | Traci.Steinert@va.gov

Attachments/Links