NIGP 16545: Food Containers, Storage, Commercial Use

NIGP 16545 Food Containers, Storage, Commercial Use is an Item code covering the procurement of commercial-grade food storage, handling, and preparation equipment used in institutional food-service operations. State and local governments buy under this code primarily through school districts and educational institutions seeking turnkey kitchen installations and equipment packages for new or renovated cafeteria and food-service facilities. The scope encompasses walk-in coolers and freezers, display refrigerators, milk coolers, transport cabinets, food-preparation equipment such as industrial processors and slicers, cooking apparatus including convection ovens and combination steam ovens, warewashing stations, and serving equipment such as steam tables and salad bars. Issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and charter school networks managing food-service operations for student populations. Equipment must meet commercial-grade standards, federal and state health code compliance, and manufacturer specifications, with contractors typically responsible for site layout, installation, commissioning, testing, staff training, and closeout documentation including warranties.

LEAD Public Schools, a charter school network serving the Nashville, Tennessee area, posted RFP LEADOPSKITCHENRFP001202627 on October 5, 2026, for supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a complete commercial kitchen for Southeast Elementary School, with proposals due November 6, 2026. The project encompasses an 860–1,290 square-foot kitchen facility serving approximately 500 students and requires all equipment to be fully operational and ready for use by the first instructional day of the 2027–2028 school year. Proposers must demonstrate at least three comparable completed projects within the past five years, manage supply-chain lead times, and carry Commercial General Liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate and Automobile Liability of $1 million Combined Single Limit, with LEAD named as Additional Insured. The evaluation rubric weights Equipment Quality and Compliance at 20 points, Technical Approach and Understanding at 20 points, and Cost/Pricing at 15 points, with proposal evaluation scheduled for November 9–13, 2026, and potential vendor interviews November 16–18, 2026.