RFP027-04_Jul_20_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Meriden Public Schools, a department of the City of Meriden, Connecticut, for the supply and distribution of food service paper goods and disposable products. The solicitation seeks qualified vendors to provide comprehensive paper goods and disposable products supporting the district's National School Lunch Program (6,200 daily lunches), School Breakfast Program (4,300 daily breakfasts), USDA Community Eligibility Provision meals, and Summer Food Service Program across 13 school sites serving approximately 8,200 enrolled students. Proposals must be submitted via the City's OpenGov eProcurement Portal by July 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The contract period runs from September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options to extend for up to one additional year at a time, not to exceed five years total, by mutual written agreement with 90 days' notice. Vendor questions may be submitted through July 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EDT, with responses due by July 8, 2026. The anticipated award date is August 19, 2026.

The contract has an estimated total value of approximately $210,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. Delivery must occur to 14 locations on an every-other-week schedule (or twice yearly for the central warehouse) between 6:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with free on board destination delivery terms and all pricing inclusive of complete inside delivery. Proposers may submit pricing for all or some products and may offer equivalent products certified as equal to specified brands, subject to approval and possible sample requests. Price adjustments may be petitioned no more than twice per contract year based on the Producer Price Index for Plastics Product Manufacturing, with documentation required 60 days in advance. Evaluation criteria allocate 45 points to cost proposals, 25 points to service delivery approach, 15 points to qualifications and experience, and 15 points to responsiveness and completeness of submission. All bills are payable within 30 days of invoice. Pricing must exclude federal excise taxes and state sales and use taxes. The contact for this solicitation is Susan Martel, City of Meriden Purchasing Department, 142 East Main Street, Room 210, Meriden, CT 06450; telephone 203-630-4115; email smartel@meridenct.gov.