IFB 2026-A SAM Food Buying Co-Op final Bid Specifications POST.xlsx

This is a frozen food bid specification document for the Southern Appalachian Mountains (SAM) Food Buying Co-Operative, a consortium of 19 school districts and one regional jail system located across Virginia and Tennessee. The procurement covers cafeteria food products for the contract period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The bid specifications detail extensive frozen food offerings organized by category, including chicken products (breaded patties, nuggets, fingers, and strips), beef items (ground beef, breaded steaks, and Salisbury steaks), pork and turkey products, fish offerings, frozen pizzas in multiple varieties, breakfast items (biscuits, donuts, pancakes, waffles, and French toast), potato products, grain items (breadsticks, rolls, and pasta), vegetables, frozen juices, and dairy products including cheese, yogurt, and milk-based sauces. The document specifies pre-approved equivalent brands for each item, pack sizes, unit quantities, and estimated pricing columns, with total estimated quantities ranging from 200 to over 300,000 servings or cases depending on the product.

The bid specifications include detailed product requirements emphasizing whole grain rich formulations compliant with school nutrition guidelines, reduced sodium options, and USDA grading standards. Each line item identifies multiple approved vendors and brand options, allowing bidders flexibility in sourcing while maintaining nutritional and quality standards. The document mandates Child Nutrition (CN) labeling or product formulation statements for most items and specifies preparation methods, such as oven-ready products and fully cooked frozen foods suitable for large-scale institutional food service operations. Pricing is requested on a per-unit basis for comparison purposes, with extended price columns for total cost calculations based on estimated annual quantities.