10-2026-019 Local Fresh Fruit and Vegetable

The Bartow County School System School Nutrition Program in Georgia is seeking qualified vendors to supply local fresh fruits and vegetables for the 2026-2027 school year through Request for Proposal 10-2026-019. Vendors must source produce from local farms within 400 miles of the school system and provide detailed lists of seasonal products with anticipated monthly or seasonal availability and farm locations. All deliveries must be made to the BCSS Central Warehouse at 65 Gilreath Road NW, Cartersville, GA 30121, with preferred delivery times between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The proposal submission deadline is June 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with proposals opening on July 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., and contract award anticipated for July 20, 2026. The contract term runs from July 20, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with options for four additional one-year renewal terms. Evaluation will be based on weighted scoring criteria totaling 100 points: Cost & Financial Proposal (30 points), Seasonal/Monthly Variety (25 points), Proficiency of Ordering, Purchasing, and Delivering (20 points), Product Availability/Quality (15 points), and Customer Support/Help (10 points). Vendors must submit complete pricing quotes with all applicable charges including delivery costs, accommodate flexible monthly ordering with lead times as short as 1-2 weeks, provide ordering and delivery processes, maintain return policies and credit procedures, and comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restricted vendor categories are outlined in the procurement documentation. Vendors must provide required certifications including anti-collusion affidavit, debarment certification, lobbying certification, and E-Verify authorization. Insurance requirements include comprehensive general liability of $500,000 aggregate, automobile liability of $350,000 combined single limit, workers' compensation at statutory rates with employer's liability of $100,000 each accident, and excess umbrella liability of $1,000,000. The School Nutrition Program is not obligated to purchase any items listed or place orders at every school location each month, with purchases varying by school and month on an as-needed basis. Payment terms are Net 30 days from the end of each accounting period, with invoices directed to morgan.west@bartow.k12.ga.us and snsap@bartow.k12.ga.us. The contract may be terminated for cause with 30 days' written notice or for convenience with 60 days' written notice, and the RFP allows for discussions with responsible offerors and may result in multiple vendor selections.