27NUTRL5 | USDA Foods Diced Tomato Processed Sauces | RFR

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office for Nutrition is requesting proposals from a National or Massachusetts-state approved processor to supply Tikka Masala and Marinara sauces processed with USDA Foods Diced Tomatoes under RFR 27NUTRL5, with proposals due June 29, 2026.

The products must meet USDA Child Nutrition meal pattern requirements, be peanut-free, comply with Buy American provisions, and contain no artificial colors. The scope includes 5,133 cases of Tikka Masala and 1,658 cases of Marinara sauce, delivered from August 2026 through May 2027. Bidders must submit pricing on a per-case delivered basis as all-inclusive with no additional charges permitted, with offers firm for year 1 of the contract.

Mandatory qualifications include sufficient warehouse and vehicle space compliant with Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations 105 CMR 500.00 and 21 CFR Part 110.00; current Massachusetts operating license under Chapter 94 Section 305C; "all risk" insurance coverage equal to the value of donated foods in possession; a Continuity of Operations Plan, Food Defense Plan, and Food Recall Procedures; product specification sheets, formulation sheets, and Safety and Environmental Data Sheets for all requested products; and demonstrated capacity for exceptional customer service and delivery to state-contracted warehouses. Bidders must receive affirmative responses on all six required qualifications to advance to evaluation scoring.

The evaluation criteria carry weighted point totals across a 100-point scale: vendor financial resources (20 points), reasonable unit costs (20 points), contract manageability including location and delivery logistics (20 points), computer capabilities for inventory monitoring and electronic reporting (15 points), contractor's previous relevant experience and performance standing with DESE (15 points), and Massachusetts location preference (10 points). Bid submissions must be signed in ink by an individual legally authorized to bind the firm and include firm name, authorized representative signature and printed name, position, date, and Federal ID number.