36407_Apr_27_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Hartford Public Schools' Food & Child Nutrition Services Department for the delivery of dairy and/or local produce products to school locations throughout Hartford, Connecticut for the 2026-2027 school year. Vendors may respond for the dairy portion only, the local produce portion only, or both categories. The dairy component includes multiple milk products in 8-ounce cartons (1% white milk, fat-free chocolate milk, fat-free strawberry milk, and whole milk) plus gallon-size 1% white milk and Lactaid milk to 37 school locations plus a central warehouse via two established routes, with bi-weekly deliveries on mutually agreed schedules and estimated annual quantities of approximately 400 gallons of 1% white milk plus additional volumes of specialty products. The local produce component seeks Connecticut-grown hydroponic lettuce varieties (green leaf, red leaf, arugula, and butterhead) and spring mix in 3-5 pound boxes delivered at least weekly to the central warehouse only, with a minimum seven-day shelf life upon receipt. The solicitation opened April 23, 2026, with proposals due by 3:00 PM on May 26, 2026. Award opening is scheduled for May 27, 2026, and the contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal negotiations at the District's discretion. No mandatory pre-bid conference has been scheduled, and no site visits are mentioned.

Pricing for dairy products is based on Federal Milk Market Administrator Class 1 milk prices in Federal Order #1 as of April 1, 2026, with provisions for monthly price adjustments. Delivery terms are Free On Board Destination with vendor-specified payment terms. Dairy proposals are evaluated on pricing (35 points), product specifications (20 points), service and deliveries (20 points), discounts and rebates (5 points), and past experience (15 points), while local produce is evaluated on pricing (35 points), product specifications and quality (25 points), service and deliveries (20 points), and velocity usage reports (20 points). All vendors are eligible to respond with no identified set-aside designations or incumbent vendor restrictions. Bidders must submit completed response forms, pricing sheets on flash drive in Excel format, proof of EEO certification, a statement of qualifications, and business documentation. Vendors must maintain proper insurance coverage and provide product samples upon request at no cost. Hartford Public Schools reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors and reject any or all proposals. The primary contact is Christopher Scoppetta, RDN, CDN, Director of Food & Child Nutrition Services, at 860-695-8491 or Christopher.Scoppetta@hartfordschools.org. No estimated total contract value or budget range has been identified.