35657_Apr_20_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) document issued by Groton Public Schools on behalf of the Lighthouse Purchasing Co-op, a consortium of 32 Connecticut school districts and 2 Rhode Island schools. The solicitation seeks a qualified grocery supplier and distributor to provide comprehensive food products across twelve major categories including beef, poultry, dairy, produce, grains, and specialty items to support K-12 school food service operations. The RFP opened on March 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT and closes on April 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM EDT, with a vendor question-and-answer period running from March 21 through April 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT. Sealed proposals must be submitted by 9:00 AM on April 21, 2026 to Lighthouse Food Cooperative at 154 Toll Gate Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340. Award announcements are expected by end of day Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options for two additional one-year renewal periods covering school years 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, subject to written consent from both parties prior to each contract anniversary date. Weekly deliveries must occur between 6:30 AM and 2:00 PM unless otherwise negotiated, with individualized delivery windows established for each school facility.

Evaluation will utilize a 100-point scoring system allocating 45 points for lowest price, 20 points for customer service quality, 20 points for delivery accuracy and timeliness, and 15 points for accounting and invoicing practices. Vendors must maintain proper refrigeration and temperature-controlled delivery equipment, provide a designated sales representative for all participating school districts, furnish certificates of insurance, and maintain full HACCP food safety compliance and USDA grade requirements. All items must be domestic or USA-produced under the "Buy American" provision, with non-domestic purchases limited to 10 percent beginning in school year 2025-26. Pricing must remain fixed for the entire contract period, with adjustments permitted only for documented market fluctuations. Participating school districts are exempt from federal excise taxes and Connecticut sales and use taxes, which should not be included in proposal pricing. No set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were identified in the available documentation. The estimated total contract value is not disclosed; however, the comprehensive scope encompassing 34 school facilities with weekly deliveries indicates a substantial annual procurement opportunity.