NIGP 01953: Melons

NIGP 01953 Melons, an Item code, comprises fresh melon products sourced by state and local school districts through competitive food-service procurement. State and local governments buying under this code purchase melons as components of broader school nutrition programs, typically bundled with other fresh produce in line-item-based awards that allow multiple vendors to supply different categories based on lowest qualified pricing. School districts issue these procurements as IFBs and RFPs to support meal service across multiple school locations during annual contract periods, with pricing tied to USDA market reports and wholesale benchmarks to control cost volatility. Issuing bodies under this code are exclusively school districts and their cooperative purchasing groups; the recent activity shows Georgia school districts as primary buyers, coordinating across district lines through cooperative vehicles such as the GEC Buying Cooperative to aggregate demand and standardize terms.

Recent solicitations show melon procurement concentrated in Georgia school districts. The Butts County School System issued IFB PE55683NONST2027000000020 in April 2026 for food supplies including fresh produce to serve six school locations during SY 2026–2027, with bid submission due May 26, 2026. The Douglas County School System issued RFP SN 26-004 in February 2026 through the GEC Buying Cooperative for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts across Georgia (Area One: 18 districts, Area Two: 12 districts) from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two and sealed proposals due by 2:00 p.m. EST on March 4, 2026. Both solicitations require vendors to demonstrate five years' experience with public school systems and comply with commercial insurance and federal debarment requirements, with no set-aside or disadvantaged-enterprise restrictions limiting competition.