NIGP 39385: Tea, Instant

NIGP 39385 Tea, Instant is an Item code under which state and local governments procure instant tea and related beverage products for institutional food service, typically as part of broader grocery and food-supply contracts for school nutrition programs, state agencies, and county facilities. Recent solicitations show school districts and state purchasing offices bundling instant tea alongside other shelf-stable pantry items, fresh produce, dairy, and prepared foods in multi-category food procurement vehicles. The work involves responding to detailed specifications for case quantities, preferred brands, delivery windows, and firm pricing locked for the contract term, often with allowances for ingredient-cost pass-through if manufacturer prices rise above a threshold. Issuing bodies are predominantly K–12 school districts operating child nutrition services, state departments managing institutional cafeterias and food operations, and county governments. School districts represent the dominant buyer segment, driven by daily meal service demands across large student populations and standardized nutrition specifications.

Recent activity clusters in Georgia and Missouri. The Rockwood R-VI School District (St. Louis County, Missouri) solicited grocery items for the 2026–27 school year with bids due April 29, 2026, encompassing over 900 line items across beverages, snacks, and prepared foods. Douglas County School System in Georgia issued RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative covering fresh produce and eggs for 30 districts across two regions, with proposals due March 4, 2026 and estimated spending of approximately $5.5 million combined. The State of Georgia posted a broader food, supplies, and other kitchen products solicitation (PE55645NONST2026000000009) with bids due June 22, 2026. School districts and cooperative purchasing vehicles dominate the issuer base, with multi-year contract terms typical and awards frequently made on a line-item basis to multiple vendors based on lowest responsive bid and service quality.