RFP-Food and Agriculture Final Mile/Scaled Distribution Project

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking a contractor to conduct research and analysis on the distribution and logistics of food and agriculture products in Oregon. The project aims to identify viable logistics pathways that connect Oregon producers to local and regional markets. The contractor will conduct structured interviews and field research with producers, distributors, and buyers to better understand current distribution practices, barriers to accessing regional markets, and opportunities to utilize under-used aggregation, storage, and final-mile logistics infrastructure. The project will focus on documenting existing logistics capacity, identifying barriers to efficient distribution, and highlighting opportunities to better utilize aggregation, transportation, and final-mile delivery infrastructure. Key tasks include: * Conducting interviews with producers, distributors, and buyers * Analyzing and summarizing findings from interviews and field research * Preparing written reports summarizing findings and recommendations * Identifying viable logistics pathways that connect Oregon producers to local and regional markets * Developing a proposed regional travel schedule for conducting interviews * Compiling findings from interviews, mapping, and pilot evaluation to support the development of clearer distribution guidance for producers and incorporation into the ODA Food & Beverage Roadmap.