35655_Apr_20_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Lighthouse Purchasing Co-op on behalf of Groton Public Schools and 42 K-12 school districts across Connecticut and Rhode Island seeking qualified vendors to supply refrigerated liquid milk products. The solicitation requests a comprehensive range of dairy items including whole milk, fat-free milk, 1% milk, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, buttermilk, and half-and-half in multiple pack sizes, with forecasted quantities ranging from 4 to 1,032,500 units depending on product type and size. Vendors must provide twice-weekly deliveries to 104 schools between 6:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., supply and maintain refrigerated delivery equipment and milk coolers at each location, and provide sales representatives for all participating districts. The RFP period runs from March 21, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. EDT through April 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EDT, with vendor questions accepted from March 21, 2026 at 7:15 a.m. through April 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Award notification is scheduled for May 5, 2026. The contract term is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal options for two additional one-year periods.

Pricing must be submitted in both fixed and fluctuating formats, with fluctuating price adjustments permitted only according to Federal Milk Market Administrator's Class I monthly price announcements. Evaluation criteria allocate 45 points for lowest price, 20 points for customer service, 20 points for delivery accuracy and timeliness, and 15 points for accounting and invoicing practices. All products must meet specific nutritional standards including minimum milk fat content, vitamin D and vitamin A levels, and restrictions on added sugars for flavored varieties, with packaging specified as paper cartons or plastic containers depending on size. Delivery terms are Free On Board (FOB) Destination, and payment terms are vendor-specified. All items must be domestic/USA-produced or comply with USDA requirements, with non-domestic purchases limited to 10% in fiscal year 2025-2026, decreasing to 8% by 2028-2029 and 5% by 2031-2032. Sealed RFP submissions must be delivered in person or by mail to Lighthouse Food Cooperative at 154 Toll Gate Road, Groton, Connecticut by 9:00 a.m. on April 21, 2026. Vendors must provide certificates of insurance, complete RFP packages including cover sheets, vendor questionnaires, affirmative action statements, debarment certifications, lobbying certifications, and confirmation lists of member districts they will service. Ernest Koschmieder at Groton Public Schools (860-449-7208) serves as the primary contact.