35655_Apr_27_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation document issued by Groton Public Schools on behalf of the Lighthouse Purchasing Co-op, representing 42 K-12 school districts and educational institutions across Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Lighthouse Purchasing Co-op seeks qualified vendors to supply refrigerated liquid milk products including buttermilk, half and half, whole milk, fat-free milk, 1% milk, and chocolate and strawberry milk variants in multiple pack sizes to 104 schools across participating districts. Forecasted quantities range from as few as 4 units to as many as 1,032,500 units depending on product type and size. The solicitation opened on March 21, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. EDT with vendor questions accepted through April 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Sealed RFP submissions are due on April 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EDT, with award notification scheduled for end of day Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal options for two additional one-year periods. Vendors must provide clean, properly insulated refrigerated delivery equipment; milk coolers to each location with ongoing maintenance and replacement services; twice-weekly deliveries on set days between 6:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and sales representatives available for all participating districts.

Pricing must be submitted in both fixed and fluctuating formats, with fluctuating price adjustments permitted only according to the Federal Milk Market Administrator's Class I monthly price announcements. Delivery terms are Free On Board (FOB) Destination, and payment terms are vendor-specified. All products must meet specific nutritional standards including minimum milk fat content, vitamin D and vitamin A levels, calorie counts, and restrictions on added sugars for flavored varieties. All items must be domestic/USA-produced or comply with USDA requirements, with non-domestic purchases limited to 10% beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, decreasing to 8% by 2028-2029 and 5% by 2031-2032. Evaluation will be conducted using a 100-point scale: 45 points for lowest price, 20 points for customer service, 20 points for accuracy of delivery and timeliness, and 15 points for accounting and invoicing practices. This procurement is open to all vendors without geographic restrictions or set-aside designations. No estimated total contract value is publicly listed. Ernest Koschmieder at Groton Public Schools (860-449-7208) serves as the primary contact for this solicitation.