Notice_of_Short_List_04.08.2026.pdf

This Notice of Short List, issued April 8, 2026, by Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Procurement Services, announces the selected vendor for RFP 25533-DST Paper Products - Student Nutrition Services. The procurement seeks to establish an annual cost-plus fixed delivery fee contract for the delivery of paper products to approximately 219 school sites supporting the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs. The contract encompasses a comprehensive range of food service paper products including food storage bags, containers, trays, cups, lids, wraps, utensils, gloves, cleaning supplies, hairnets, and related items with estimated annual quantities spanning from 10 units for specialized items to 52,500 units for lunch trays and a total estimated annual extended cost of $193,221. The RFP was broadcast January 16, 2026, with proposals due February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM; the review was scheduled for March 2, 2026, with an estimated award date of June 2, 2026, and 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 for services.

Dade Paper & Bag LLC has been selected for interviews as the short-listed vendor. Payment terms follow Florida's Prompt Payment Act with net 45 days or enhanced options for small business enterprises and minority-owned businesses. The contract is funded entirely by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) federal funds with an estimated annual budget of $5,800,000 and zero percent state or local funding. The incumbent contract (RFP 20126-DST-IV) expires June 30, 2026, with no renewals available. Selected vendors 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. Additional requirements include accepting proprietary and logo products from the incumbent vendor at cost by June 22, 2026, and maintaining at least two designated delivery drivers with permanent MacDill Air Force Base passes for the Tinker K-8 School location.