35657_Apr_27_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This Request for Proposal (RFP #35657) is issued by Groton Public Schools on behalf of the Lighthouse Purchasing Co-op, seeking a qualified grocery supplier and distributor to service 32 Connecticut school districts and two Rhode Island schools. The procurement requests comprehensive grocery and commodity items across twelve major food categories including beef, poultry, dairy, produce, grains, and specialty items, with detailed specifications and approved brand listings provided in supporting documentation. The solicitation opened on March 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT with a question-and-answer period running 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 period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with renewal options for two additional one-year periods (2027-2028 and 2028-2029) contingent upon written consent from both parties prior to each contract anniversary date. Weekly deliveries are required between 6:30 AM and 2:00 PM unless otherwise negotiated, with delivery windows varying by individual school facility.

Evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scoring system allocating 45 points for lowest price, 20 points for customer service, 20 points for delivery accuracy and timeliness, and 15 points for accounting and invoicing statements. Pricing must remain fixed for the full contract period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with price adjustments permitted only for documented market fluctuations. All items must be domestic/USA-produced or comply with USDA requirements under the "Buy American" provision, with non-domestic purchases limited to 10 percent beginning in school year 2025-26. Participating school districts are exempt from federal excise taxes and Connecticut sales and use taxes, which should not be included in proposal pricing. Required qualifications include maintaining proper refrigeration and temperature-controlled delivery equipment, providing a designated sales representative for all school districts, furnishing certificates of insurance, and maintaining full HACCP food safety compliance and USDA grade requirements for fruits and vegetables. The procurement is open to all qualified vendors with no identified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The estimated total contract value is not disclosed in the available documentation; however, the scope encompassing 34 school facilities with weekly deliveries suggests a substantial annual procurement opportunity.