Notice_of_Meeting_04.08.2026.pdf

This is a Notice of Public Meeting issued by the Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Procurement Services Department regarding Solicitation #25533-RFP-DST for Paper Products serving Student Nutrition Services. The Phase 1 public meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM via Microsoft Teams. HCPS seeks qualified vendors to establish an annual cost-plus fixed delivery fee contract for delivering paper products to approximately 219 school sites supporting the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs. The solicitation encompasses 114 line items including food storage bags, containers, trays, cups, lids, wraps, utensils, gloves, cleaning supplies, hairnets, and related items, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 10 units for specialized items to 52,500 units for lunch trays. The RFP was broadcast on January 16, 2026, with technical questions due by January 30, 2026, proposals due February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM via www.myvendorlink.com, and the estimated award date of June 2, 2026, with contract commencement on July 1, 2026. The initial contract term extends through the end of the first anniversary month with options to automatically renew for up to four additional one-year periods contingent upon appropriations, contractor performance, and continued need. Weekly deliveries are required to school sites during the regular school year with delivery timeframes between 6:00 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and vendors must provide inside delivery, electronic ordering capability, and monthly price and usage reports.

Pricing is structured as cost-plus fixed delivery fee with initial cost prices remaining firm through December 30, 2026, after which prices may adjust every six months effective July 1 and January 1 with Student Nutrition Services District Office approval. The total estimated annual extended cost is $193,221, with the contract funded entirely by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) federal funds at an estimated annual budget of $5,800,000, with zero percent state or local funding. The incumbent contract (RFP 20126-DST-IV) expires June 30, 2026, with no renewals available. All proposers must comply with extensive federal compliance requirements including USDA certifications, drug-free workplace requirements, non-collusion affidavits, debarment verifications, and Buy American provisions mandating domestic product preference with non-domestic food purchases capped at ten percent. Payment terms are net 45 days under Florida's Prompt Payment Act with a 120-day deadline for final invoice submission. Small business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, service-disabled veterans, and small or small local business enterprises may qualify for enhanced payment terms of net 45 days or "pay upon approval" options and are encouraged to apply.