Formal Request for Proposal No. 3959.doc

Seattle Colleges

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3959

Specialty Meat Products Supplier

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1Request for Proposals

2A.

Introduction

2B.

Scope of Work/Product to be provided

2C.

Information to be Provided by Respondents

3D.

Evaluation Criteria

4E.

Site Visit/Pre-submission Conference, Questions, and Solicitation Requirements

6F.

Selection Process

7G.

Contract Award, Notification and Negotiations

7H.

Administrative Information

November 1, 2024

3:00 PM PDT, Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Request for Proposals

Specialty Meat Products Supplier The Seattle Colleges (hereafter generally referred to as the Purchaser) is seeking responses from prospective Contractors to provide high-quality specialty meat products for Seattle Central College Culinary Academy and Auxiliary Services, South Seattle College Culinary Arts Program including the food court and fine dining restaurant, Alhadeff Grill, and South Seattle College events and catering services.

Obtaining the RFP: Copies of the Request for Proposals may be obtained from the Procurement Coordinator identified below.

Questions: Any questions or requests for further information must be submitted in writing no later than 3:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to the Procurement Coordinator identified below.

Lisa Gacer, Senior buyer Procurement Coordinator

Email: lisa.gacer@seattlecolleges.edu Submission Deadline: Your electronic proposal must be e-mailed to lisa.gacer@seattlecolleges.edu not later than 3:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The Purchaser’s e-mail boxes can accept emails that total less than 30MB in size. Proposers are cautioned to keep email sizes to less than 25MB to ease delivery. Zipped files cannot be accepted. Seattle Colleges will only accept electronic submittals in response to this RFP. Proposals that do not conform to the requirements specified herein may be rejected.

Rights Reserved: The Purchaser reserves the right to waive as informality any irregularities in submittals, to reject any and all responses, to amend the solicitation as necessary, and to cancel the solicitation at its sole discretion.

(Note: This page replicates the advertisement published for this solicitation.)

Seattle Colleges Request for Proposals

Specialty Meat Products Supplier A. Introduction and DEFINITIONS Introduction

1) Purchaser: The Seattle Colleges, generally referred to as “The Purchaser” for purposes of this solicitation is an academic institution authorized under the laws of the State of Washington. The Seattle Colleges serve all of metropolitan Seattle and its surrounding communities and comprise the largest community college district in the state, educating nearly 35,000 students each year.

Like the region, the college population is dynamic. The student body is the most diverse in the Northwest, reflecting nearly 80 different languages spoken in homes throughout the city.

Three colleges, five specialty centers, and a district office comprise Seattle Colleges. Seattle Central College (Central) is located at 1701 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 on Capital Hill. North Seattle College (North) is located in the Northgate/Licton Springs residential neighborhood of Seattle at 9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103. South Seattle College (South) is located on an 87-acre hilltop campus in West Seattle at 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106.

Seattle Colleges procures $50,000 on average in meat distributed among Seattle Central College and South Seattle College departments per year.

2) Project Background and Overview: The Purchaser is seeking a qualified supplier to provide high-quality specialty meat products to Seattle Central College Culinary Academy, South Seattle College Culinary Arts Program, food court and restaurants, and South Seattle College events and catering services through Auxiliary Services.

South Seattle College Auxiliary Services - Auxiliary Services at South Seattle College offers full-service on-site catering for both interdepartmental and outside organizations. South has a large event space (Brockey Center) that can accommodate over 300 people for breakfast, lunch, or dinner service. Regular occurrences include dinner auctions, galas, weddings, conferences, expos and more. South’s culinary philosophy is to provide exceptional food, utilizing top-shelf ingredients with a focus on seasonality, cuisine specific, and food trends. Food offerings include a variety of service styles, such as buffet, family style, plated dinners, passed appetizers and custom menus.

Seattle Central College Culinary Academy – Seattle Culinary Academy at Seattle Central College’s full-time professional technical programs benefit from a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility; two student run onsite restaurants and one espresso bar and cafe; instruction from engaged award-winning chefs; and curriculum that evolves to meet the needs of an ever-changing and growing industry. The Culinary Academy offers a strong foundation in theory and technique with significant hours dedicated to practical, skill-reinforcing training. Our unique partnerships with industry provide students with additional hands-on experience, mentorship and community connection.

South Seattle College Culinary Arts Program – The South Seattle Culinary Arts program offers the development of an extensive foundation of classic and contemporary techniques with a focus in developing skills in productions, service and management by operating the food court and fine dining restaurant, Alhadeff Grill.

3) Contract Form & General Terms and Conditions: In submitting a response, the Respondent confirms that it will execute a Contract to provide the goods and/or services specified in this solicitation for the price offered by the Respondent, subject to the Purchaser’s General Terms and Conditions incorporated into this solicitation.

4) Document Location: The Contract Form, General Terms and Conditions, and Special Terms and Conditions are available for review and downloading at the Purchaser’s website at http://www.sccd.ctc.edu/business.aspx.

In the event that you are unable to view or download the documents, please contact the Procurement Coordinator for this solicitation.

B. Scope of Work/Product to be provided

1. General Specifications:

a. Quality Control:

i. Ensure all products offered are produced under the appropriate state and federal processing licenses. This includes Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) food processor license or USDA processing license. Follow federal and state regulations for foodservice distribution.

ii. Meat products shall meet or exceed the standards of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/default.htm , United States Department of Commerce (USDC) http://www.commerce.gov/, Washington State, and standards and requirements set for by the industry. Such requirements include but are not limited to:

1. Food products must meet a freshness parameter so that the Purchasers have sufficient time from the date of delivery to consume these Food Service Products before quality deteriorates.

2. Supplier shall comply with all standards and requirements regarding weights, measures, fill of containers, drained weights, contamination, and condition on delivery, of meat products.

2. Food Product Description

a. Meat: Provide high-quality specialty raw meat products such as beef, pork, poultry, lamb, duck, quail, rabbit, squab, pheasant, turkey, veal and cooked meats listed in Appendix A, Price Proposal. Seattle Colleges reserves the right to add meat products to the awarded contract upon mutual agreement throughout the contract term.

b. Preferred Production Practices:

i. The meat producer will use ethical and sustainable meat production practices.

1. Animals are raised humanely and given access to pasture and proper nutrition

2. Farms use practices that minimize environmental impact, such as organic farming, rotational grazing, and reduced use of chemicals.

3. Meat is sourced from local farms to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and support local economies.

4. May include labels such as Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Global Animal Partnership rating of 4 or higher, or the Soil Association or RSPCA Assured labels.

5. Product free of antibiotics and hormones.

6. Products are made ethically, with fair treatment and pay for farmers and workers involved.

3. Service Specifications/Guidelines:

a. Pricing. Products will be delivered to one of the following two locations (F.O.B. Destination - Seattle Central College Receiving dock, 1702 Harvard, Ave 98122 or South Seattle College Receiving dock, 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106). For the purposes of the product pricing quoted should include the cost to deliver to either of these locations.

b. Ordering: The Purchasing office will issue a blanket Purchase Order. The Purchase order will be for the initial period of one (1) year. Seattle Colleges will work with the successful bidder to develop an ordering system that is efficient for both parties.

c. Optimum Purchasing: It is the intent of Seattle College to have a vendor representative work together with the Seattle Colleges’ ordering staff to inform them of new products and suggested substitutions for higher priced products. The overall goal is to maximize quality product purchasing opportunities through the vendor to support the department’s mission to purchase products that align with the sustainability curriculum.

d. Ease of Ordering Process: Successful vendor will work with Seattle College staff to set up an efficient ordering system for each week. Orders will be electronically transmitted (preferred), called in or picked up at the designated college location.

e. Order Cancellationtc \l2 "4.15 Order Cancellation: An order may be canceled in whole or in part if:

i. Supplies are not received on the scheduled delivery date and no extension has been agreed upon between the supplying vendor and Seattle Colleges.

ii. Supplying vendor fails to promptly replace or correct rejected products.

iii. Supplying vendor cannot meet time requirements to replace a shipment of a rejected product with an acceptable product.

iv. Supplying vendor cannot meet the weekly order requests on a consistent basis due to poor inventory levels and limited purchasing ability, therefore forcing Seattle Colleges to locate alternate vendors to supply product needs.

v. Product delivered consistently does not meet the quality standards and specifications of Seattle Colleges.

f. Delivery: All products must be delivered all at once (no split shipments to one location per order) in boxed cases at standard receiving bay height to either the Seattle Central College or South Seattle College campus locations. No drop shipping from a national warehouse or third-party vendor. Document product traceability and origin. Products will be inspected upon receipt to ensure they have been properly held during delivery

Products must be properly boxed or wrapped to protect them until they are received. All products must be properly labeled. Deliveries will be accepted between the hours of 6:00 A.M and 12:00 PM. Delivery may be made every Monday thru Friday. Days and times are to be agreed upon between the contractor and the contract administrator; representing college department. Off-schedule deliveries may be required for special events or unique circumstances.

g. Package Labeling: Clearly label product cases with the customer account number, descriptive product name, case count and weight, business name, business address, and SKU or other product ID code.

h. Transportation Conditions: Maintain product under proper storage and transportation conditions to maintain food safety, including proper temperature control and ability to provide temperature logs.

i. Inspection and Acceptance:

i. Inspectiontc \l3 "5.8.1 Inspection: All products will be inspected and tested for their compliance to their appropriate specifications (count, condition/content, weight, brand, and pack) prior to acceptance.

ii. Defective Productstc \l3 "5.8.2 Defective Products: In the case of any product(s) being defective in material or in workmanship, or otherwise not in conformity with the product description/specification, Seattle Colleges will contact the supplying vendor to notify them that the product(s) is/are being rejected. Seattle Colleges will work with the supplying vendor on replacing the rejected product. Rejected products shall be removed promptly and replaced at the expense of the supplying vendor.

iii. Substitutionstc \l2 "5.10 Substitutions: Specific products utilized cannot be substituted without the permission of the college. If substitution occurs, the vendor will be required to supply goods of equal-or-better quality. If the substitution does not meet the college’s quality and cost standards, Seattle Colleges reserve the right to return the products and to obtain them from an alternate vendor. Any product that has be substituted by the vendor and not to Seattle Colleges standards or needs will be returned and full credit being given to Seattle Colleges. All substitutions need to be approved.

j. Invoicingtc \l2 "4.14 Invoicing: An itemized invoice/delivery ticket is required for each delivery. Invoices/delivery tickets must be legible and include the following: a) product name, b) vendor product code, c) quantity delivered and d) bid price.

i. Before Paymenttc \l3 "4.14.1 Before Payment: Before payment will be initiated all monthly statements must:

· Itemize specific invoices and dates of delivery

· Clearly indicate the college Purchase Order Number

ii. Invoices Detailing Products Being Deliveredtc \l3 "4.14.2 Invoices Detailing Products Being Delivered: Invoices detailing the products being delivered to Dining Services must be presented at the time of delivery. Products purchased on other Purchase Orders cannot be listed on any invoices relating to this specific Purchase Order.

iii. Creditstc \l3 "4.14.4 Credits: Issue a credit if products were returned or there is a correction to the price of the original invoice. Credit must be received before original invoice will be processed for payment.

k. Contact Person for all Discrepanciestc \l2 "4.16 Contact Person for all Discrepancies: Assign a representative to Seattle Colleges to handle discrepancies and any other order issues.

As stated in the General Terms and Conditions, the Purchaser does not warrant or guarantee any purchase of a particular quantity of goods beyond the initial order. The information below is provided solely to facilitate the Respondent’s response to the solicitation.

C. Information to be Provided by Respondents All respondents must provide the required information requested in this section. Information must be presented in a clear, concise and complete format. Responses are to be formatted to correspond numerically with items listed below. Failure to respond to all items in this section may be deemed as sufficient reason to disregard any response.

1) Proposal/Specifications: A complete description of the goods and/or services to be provided and methods to be used:

Describe your commitment to sourcing meat produced using ethical and sustainable practices Describe ordering procedures

Describe delivery capabilities

2) Organizational History and Ability: A clear demonstration of your organization’s history and experience providing specialty meat products comparable in size and scope to that described in Section B of this solicitation;

3) Proposed Price: Bid prices must include all cost components needed for the delivery of the goods and/or services as described in this RFP. See Appendix A – Price Proposal. A Bidder’s failure to identify all costs in a manner consistent with the instructions in this RFP is sufficient grounds for disqualification.

Unit Price = Bidder Cost FOB (landed) at delivery

Unit Price: The unit price is defined as the total price charged to the customer per unit for a product delivered.

Bidder Cost: The delivered price is defined as the actual invoice price of a product that the Bidder has paid a manufacturer or supplier for that product delivered to the Bidder’s distribution point. This price includes any transportation costs necessary for delivery to the distribution point and is sometimes referred to as “landed costs”. This price includes all discounts and Bidder rebates, allowances and incentives (or any other term used for price reductions).

Bidder must bid on all items to be considered responsive. The bidder must complete and submit the Appendix A – Price Proposal as a Microsoft Excel document.

; and

4) Required Forms: Completed copies (signed when requested) of all forms appended to this solicitation.

5) Content Organization: To facilitate evaluation, responses should address each element above. The material should be organized in the order of the outline above and clearly address the issues set forth in the evaluation criteria specified in Section D of the Solicitation.

6) Samples, Literature and Related Documents: Where appropriate, the Purchaser reserves the right to request of samples, literature, testing of products, and manufacturer’s certification of the Respondent’s authorization to provide goods and/or services. Submittal of such materials shall be at the Respondent’s expense.

Respondents who decline or are unable to comply with such requests may be rejected as non-responsive. Any samples or materials submitted for testing will be returned to Respondents upon completion of the evaluation if requested.

7) Amendments and Withdrawals: A Respondent may amend a Response at any time prior to the date and time specified for receipt of responses, and withdraw from the selection process without recourse.

D. Evaluation Criteria

Responses will be evaluated based on the criteria listed in this section. In preparing the response, it is important for Respondents to clearly demonstrate their expertise in the areas described in this document. Because multiple areas of expertise may be required for successfully providing the requested product, the Respondent, (either through in-house staff or sub-contractors), must demonstrate expertise and have available adequate quantities of experienced personnel in all of the areas described.

Respondents are encouraged to identify and clearly label in their response how each criterion is being fully addressed. Evaluation of responses to this solicitation will be based only on the information provided in the response, and if applicable, interviews, and reference responses. The Purchaser reserves the right to request additional information or documentation from the Respondent regarding its response documents, personnel, financial viability, or other items in order to complete the selection process.

If a Respondent chooses to provide additional materials in their response beyond those requested, those materials should be included in a separate section of the response. In submitting a response, the Respondent agrees that any costs or prices proposed shall be valid for a minimum of 90 days from the response due date.

Responses will be evaluated based on the criteria specified below, and in accordance with the relative weight specified below:

Scoring Responses: Responses will be scored on a point basis with a total of 100 points possible. Cost will be scored using a ‘declining percentage based on low cost’ method: Low cost will receive 20 points; costs other than low will receive the number of points equal to the percentage relationship to low.

E. Questions, and Solicitation Requirements

1) Due Date for Questions: Technical questions regarding substantive matters related to this RFP or requests for further information must be submitted in writing in accordance with the deadline and submission requirements specified on Page One of this RFP.

2) Due Date and Place for Submission: Responses must be received by the Purchaser by the date and time specified on Page One of this Solicitation. Responses must clearly identify the Solicitation Number and Title, and the Respondent’s Name, Address, and Telephone Number.

Upon request, Purchasing will provide the Respondent with an acknowledgment of receipt. Respondents are encouraged to ensure that their response arrives sufficiently prior to the deadline to permit this action. The deadline is firm as to date, and time. The Purchaser will not consider any response received after the deadline.

3) Required Forms/Documents: Respondents to this RFP shall submit the Response to the e-mail address stated on Page one of this Solicitation. Each of the forms/documents indicated below must also be completed and submitted with the original response:

a. Respondent Fact Sheet

b. Appendix A- Price Proposal

4) Addenda: In the event there are changes or clarifications to this Solicitation, the Purchaser will issue addenda as necessary. Addenda will be transmitted to Solicitation recipients via email, fax transmittal, US Postal Service, or other delivery service as is most efficient and economical.

Respondents are cautioned not to seek any information regarding this solicitation from any Purchaser personnel other than the Procurement Coordinator. Any such action may constitute grounds for rejection of a response. Only written information provided via addenda shall be deemed binding on the Purchaser.

5) Rights Reserved by the Purchaser: The Purchaser reserves the right to waive as informality any error or irregularity it finds in a response. Informality is an immaterial variation from the exact requirements of the competitive solicitation, having no effect or merely a minor or negligible effect on quality, quantity, or delivery of the supplies or performance of the services being procured, and the correction or waiver of which would not affect the relative standing of, or be otherwise prejudicial to bidders.

The Purchaser also reserves the right to reject any or all responses, and to cancel a solicitation at any time prior to execution of a contract.

6) PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE: Proposals submitted in response to this competitive procurement shall become the property of the Purchaser. All proposals received shall remain confidential to the fullest extent permissible by law until the contract, if any, resulting from this RFP is signed by the Contract Administrator, and the apparent successful Contractor.

Any information in the proposal that the Respondent desires to claim as proprietary and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your document, must be clearly designated. The information must be clearly identified and the particular exemption from disclosure upon which the Respondent is making the claim must be cited. Each page containing the information claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the words “Proprietary Information” printed on the lower right hand corner of the page. Marking the entire proposal exempt from disclosure or as Proprietary Information will not be honored.

If a public records request is made for the information that the Respondent has marked as "Proprietary Information," the Purchaser will notify the Respondent of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless the Respondent obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the Respondent fails to obtain the court order enjoining disclosure, the Purchaser will release the requested information on the date specified. If a Respondent obtains a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining disclosure pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for nondisclosure, the Purchaser shall maintain the confidentiality of the Respondent's information per the court order.

7) There will be a charge for copying and shipping in accordance with the Purchaser’s policy. No fee shall be charged for inspection of contract files at the Purchaser’s Purchasing Department. All requests for information should be directed to the Procurement Coordinator.

F. Selection Process

1) Determination of Responsiveness: Responses received by the time and date specified for receipt will be reviewed initially to determine responsiveness. To be considered responsive, a response must reflect all required components, and be sufficient in clarity and detail to be effectively evaluated. The Purchaser reserves the right to consider the actual level of Respondent’s compliance with the requirements specified in this solicitation and to waive informalities in a Response. Evaluation panels will only evaluate Responses meeting this requirement. Any Respondents whose response is determined to non-responsive will be notified of the determination in the most expeditious and timely manner available.

2) Evaluation of Responses: An evaluation panel will rate all responses to this Solicitation that have been determined to be responsive. The evaluation shall be based on the criteria specified in Section D above. Based on its initial evaluation, the panel may:

1. Make a recommendation to the Purchasing Manager and request authority to negotiate a Contract with one or more proposers; or

2. Seek additional information from Respondents and/or invite Respondents to attend an interview or make a presentation, and make a recommendation to the Purchasing Manager upon consideration of the additional information.

3) Determination of Responsibility: The Purchaser reserves the right to conduct reference checks, either during or immediately after the review of responses, or any subsequent point in the process selection process.

In the event that information received from the reference checks suggests a need for concern regarding the Respondent’s past performance, or their apparent ability to successfully perform the contract to be executed based on this RFP, the Purchaser may, at its sole discretion, determine that the Respondent is not responsible and may select the next highest-ranked Respondent whose reference checks validate the ability of the proposer to successfully perform the contract to be executed based on this Solicitation.

In conducting reference checks, the Purchaser may include itself as a reference if the Respondent has performed work for the Purchaser, even if the Respondent did not identify the Purchaser as a reference.

In determining Respondent’s responsibility, the following elements shall be given consideration:

1. The ability, capacity, and skill of the Respondent to perform the contract or provide the service required;

2. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the Respondent;

3. Whether the Respondent can perform the contract within the time specified;

4. The quality of performance of previous contracts or services;

5. The previous and existing compliance by the Respondent with laws relating to the contract or services;

6. Responses provided by the Respondent’s references;

7. The Respondent’s demonstrated record of fiscal and financial integrity;

8. The Respondent’s previous performance providing goods and/or services to the Purchaser, whether the Purchaser was or was not listed as a reference; and

9. Such other information as may be secured having a bearing on the decision to award the contract.

4) Sample Food Tasting May Be Required

The Purchaser may, after evaluating the written proposals elect to schedule a tasting of a select sampling of proposed meats from the finalists. If a tastings become necessary, the Purchaser will contact the top-scoring Respondent(s) from the written evaluation to schedule a date, time, and location for the food tasting. The college will cook the sample product and evaluate the samples. Commitments made by the Respondent at the tasting, if any, will be considered binding and should be confirmed in writing within three (3) business days. The scores from the written evaluation and the tasting combined together will determine the apparent successful contractor.

5) Protest: Any protest of the selection process shall be resolved in accordance with the Purchaser’s Protest Policy and Procedures, which can be obtained from the Procurement Coordinator. Protests after Notice to Award will be considered only after a debriefing conference; respondents have three (3) business days after Notice to Award to request a debriefing conference.

G. Contract Award, Notification and Negotiations

1) Contract Award: Upon review and approval, the Purchaser will notify the selected contractor of the award, and commence negotiations to execute a contract. The Purchaser will also notify any other Respondents of the award.

2) Negotiations: The Purchaser shall, if necessary, negotiate with the most qualified Respondent, as determined by evaluation of the responses and, if applicable, interviews or presentations. If the Purchaser is unable to reach agreement with the highest ranked firm, it may negotiate with the second highest ranked firm, proceeding in turn to each firm, in order of rank, until a contract is executed.

3) Contract Term: The Purchaser expects to execute a Contract for goods and/or services for one year. At the Purchaser’s option, an amendment may be executed extending the Contract for up to five additional one-year periods, along with appropriate adjustments in the scope of work and compensation.

4) Additional Goods/Services: The Purchaser reserves the right, subject to the concurrence of the selected Contractor, to execute a change order to acquire additional goods and services materially comparable to those specified in the Contract, and at a comparable price, for the benefit of other campuses, departments or elements of the Seattle Colleges.

H. Administrative Information

1) Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises: The Purchaser strongly encourages minority-owned and women-owned businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises, and small businesses to submit responses, to participate as partners and/or to participate in other business activity in response to this RFP.

2) Basic Eligibility: The successful Respondent must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington and must have a state Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. In addition, the successful Respondent and any subcontractors must not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible to contract with the Purchaser, and must not be included on the United States Government’s “List of Parties Excluded From Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs” or the State of Washington’s listing of debarred or suspended contractors.

3) Interlocal Agreements: The Purchaser has entered into Interlocal Purchasing Agreements with other governmental agencies, pursuant to RCW 39.34. The Contractor agrees to sell additional services at the offer prices and terms and conditions to other campus locations of the Seattle College District, as well as eligible governmental agencies that have such agreements with the Purchaser. The Purchaser accepts responsibility for the payment of the purchase price by other campus locations of the Seattle College District. The Purchaser accepts no responsibility for the payment of the purchase price by other governmental agencies.

4) Other Contracts: During the original term and all subsequent renewal terms of the contract resulting from this Solicitation, the Purchaser expressly reserves the right, through any other sources available, to pursue and implement alternative means of soliciting and awarding similar or related services as described in this Solicitation.

5) Defined Terms: Terms utilized in this solicitation are defined as follows: ss1.1 All defined terms included in the General Conditions are deemed to apply as defined terms in this solicitation. The terms below are also defined terms for purposes of the Solicitation.

Addendum: A change to the specifications, terms, conditions, or schedule of a solicitation transmitted to potential Respondents in writing by the Procurement Coordinator.

Local or Regional Food: Locally and regionally produced food means a food that is raised, produced, processed, and distributed in the locality or region where the final product is marketed to consumers, so that the distance that the product travels between the farm or ranch where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer is at most 450 miles, or both the final market and the original of the product are within the same state or territory. This RFP uses the contracted Seattle as the final destination.

Procurement Coordinator: The individual identified by the Purchaser as the sole party to receive inquiries or questions concerning this Solicitation.

Respondent: Individual, Corporation, Partnership, or other party who submits a response to this solicitation. The common terms Bidder, Proposer, and Offer or, Contractor, or Consultant are considered to be equivalent terms for purposes of common understanding.

Response: The complete body of material provided by the Respondent pertaining to the solicitation, including any written documents, samples, literature, or verbal communications during oral interviews or presentations. May also be referred to as “Proposal” as in Request for Proposals End of Solicitation, other than forms and attachments