27NUTRL7 - Bid - Final.docx

This is a Bid Template for a Request for Response (RFR) issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Food and Nutrition Programs. DESE seeks a processor to provide low-sugar dried cranberries made exclusively from cranberries grown and harvested in Massachusetts, available in two flavors: Fruit Punch and Raspberry Lemonade. The contract is designated as Bid #BD-27-1026-DOE02-DOE01-131541 with alternate ID 27NUTRL7 and is managed by Robert M. Leshin, Director of the Office of Food and Nutrition Programs. The initial contract duration extends from the approval date through June 30, 2027, with renewal options available for up to four additional one-year periods (maximum 12 months each), extending through June 30, 2031. All bid responses must be submitted through the COMMBUYS website by August 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The deadline for submitting questions regarding the bid is July 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. No pre-bid conference has been scheduled for this procurement.

This contract award will be at no cost to DESE, with the awarded vendor required to submit a completed Fee Sheet for pricing. Purchases will be made from the awarded vendor under contract 27NUTRL4. The funding source is contingent upon actual purchases made through the awarded vendor, with no maximum obligation amount specified in the initial posting. DESE reserves the right to award the contract to either a single vendor or multiple vendors, regardless of the number of vendors initially anticipated. Responses must be submitted exclusively through the COMMBUYS platform; emailed responses will not be accepted. Bidders must ensure that the "No Bid" option remains unchecked to avoid disqualification.