Warehousing___Distribution_of_USDA_Foods_(MDE).pdf

Event Description THIS IS A FORMAL EVENT/REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). Non-electronic and email responses WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The response must be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal no later than the date and time called for in the Event.

PURPOSE. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Nutrition Program Services (NPS), is soliciting proposals from qualified Contractors to provide warehousing, inventory management, and distribution services for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Donated Foods under the National School Lunch Program and other USDA nutrition programs for eligible recipient agencies throughout the State of Minnesota.

Responders are strongly encouraged to review Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work in the Sample Contract to see a detailed description of the solicitation scope and required deliverables.

CONTRACT TERM: The term of this contract is anticipated to run from October 2026 through June 2028, with the option to extend up to an additional 48 months in increments determined by the State.

SUBMITTING QUESTIONS: The deadline for submitting questions is August 20, 2026, at 3:00PM, Central Time.

Questions must be submitted in writing to Molly Gunderson at molly.gunderson@state.mn.us. All questions received by the cutoff date and time will be responded to via an addendum.

SWIFT HELP DESK: Responders needing help with registration or assistance navigating the SWIFT system may contact the Vendor Assistance Helpdesk at 651.201.8100 Option 1

General Comments

* Review the following documents prior to submitting a response:

1. Event Details

2. RFP Content

3. RFP Attachments

4. Sample Contract and Exhibits

An additional information document is used during this event. Responders should complete and submit the additional information document attached to this event.

A price schedule document is used during this event. Responders must fill out and submit the price schedule attached to this event.

Complete and upload with your response all applicable Attachments, Including:

1. Responder Declaration (Attachment A of the RFP Attachments)

2. Exceptions to the State’s Terms and Conditions, if any (Attachment B of the RFP Attachments)

3. Responder Forms, Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration Page (Attachment D of the RFP Attachments)

4. Additional Information (Attachment E of the RFP Attachments)

5. Contractor's Narrative (Attachment F of the RFP Attachments)

6. Exhibit D: Price Schedule

General Questions Question Ideal Response

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Is your business based in Minnesota and considered small according to the OSP small business size standards? The link below provides size standard requirements. Please note (all web addresses can be copied and pasted into a web browser for further review) https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/sbcp/size/

And:

Event Details

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 1 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

In order to participate in this event YOU MUST BE REGISTERED as either a bidder or a supplier.

Is your business a for-profit business that is majority owned, operated and controlled by:

• a racial minority,

• a woman,

• a person with a substantial physical disability,

• a veteran or service-disabled veteran, or is your business

• located in, or the owner lives in, an economically disadvantaged county?

( http://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/sbcp/ed/counties )

If your company meets these basic criteria, it may be eligible for certification in the state’s Small Business Procurement Program. For more information on eligibility requirements please visit https://sbcp.mn.gov/.

You can also contact the Office of Equity in Procurement at Procurement.Equity@state.mn.us or 651-201-2402 for further information.

• Do you believe your company meets the criteria listed above?

• Your response to this question is for informational purposes only. If you select YES, and are not certified, a member of the Office of Equity in Procurement will contact you to provide additional information regarding the State’s Small Business Procurement Program. (Responders must select Yes or No to continue submitting their response.)

Required: Yes Ideal Resp Reqd? No

Response Comments

Upload all required or requested attachments here.

Required: Yes Ideal Resp Reqd? No

A file attachment is required to satisfy this question.

Your bid will need to be edited online to include attachment responses.

Response Comments

If you fail to upload attachments requested in the solicitation, your response may be disqualified. Have you uploaded the required or requested attachments? (Yes / No)

Required: Yes Ideal Resp Reqd? No

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 2 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

Response Comments

PREPARED BY:

Name, Title, e-mail, phone and fax numbers of individual who prepared the response.

Required: Yes Ideal Resp Reqd? No

Response Comments

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 3 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

Line Details No Bid:

Line: 1 Item ID: Line Qty: 1 UOM: LOT Bid Qty: 1 Required: No Reserve Price: No

Description: Upload Exhibit D Price Schedule as instructed. Note: This solicitation Event is utilizing a price schedule. However, the system still has a requirement when you submit your proposal to enter a dollar figure for the line item bid price. Enter in $0.01

Question Response This Event is utilizing a price schedule.

However, there is still a requirement when you submit your proposal to add a dollar figure for the line item bid price. Enter $0.01 into this field. This is a field in the system that we are unable to override and is also a field that will not be evaluated.

Required: Yes Ideal Resp Reqd? No

Response Comments

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 4 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

Bidder Information Firm Name:

Name: Signature: Date:

Phone #: Fax #:

Street Address:

City & State: Zip Code:

Email:

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 5 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

Appendix A - Line Specifications Line: 1 Item ID: Line Qty: 1 UOM: LOT Description: Upload Exhibit D Price Schedule as instructed. Note: This solicitation Event is utilizing a price schedule.

However, the system still has a requirement when you submit your proposal to enter a dollar figure for the line item bid price. Enter in $0.01

Item Specifications

Manufacturer:

Mfg Item ID:

Item Length: 0 Item Height: 0 Item Width: 0 Dimension UOM:

Item Volume: 0 Volume UOM:

Item Weight: 0 Weight UOM:

Item Size: Item Color:

Shipping Information

Schedule: 1 Ship To: ADMIN OSP EVENTS

ADMIN OSP EVENTS

United States

Quantity: 1 Due Date: 08/31/2026 Freight Terms:

Ship Via:

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 6 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No

Appendix B - Terms & Conditions

1. Please review the attached Terms and Conditions attached to the event.

Last Updated: 12/24/2018

Event Details (cont.)

Bidder: PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS

Agency: Admin/State Procurement Contact: Molly Gunderson Phone: 651/201-3171 Fax #:

Email: molly.gunderson@state.mn.us

Event ID Format Type Page G0210-2000018564 Sell RFx 7 Event Round Version 1 1 Event Name Warehousing & Distribution of USDA Foods (MDE) Start Time Finish Time

08/12/2026 08:00:00 CDT 09/03/2026 15:00:00 CDT

Event Currency: US Dollar Bids allowed in other currency: No