Beaufort County Schools Milk Bid for 2026-27

Beaufort County Schools Nutrition Services is soliciting sealed bids from qualified milk and dairy product distributors for a one-year initial contract period running from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, with an optional four-year renewal extension. The procurement encompasses delivery of milk and dairy products to ten schools within the district, including Washington Elementary School, Bath Elementary School, Chocowinity Middle School, Chocowinity Primary School, John Small Elementary, Northeast Elementary School, Northside High School, P.S. Jones, Southside High School, and Washington High School. Specific product requirements include 1% milk non-flavored half-pint containers (221,025 units), skim milk chocolate half-pint containers (332,491 units), skim milk non-flavored half-pint containers (875 units), skim milk strawberry half-pint containers (63,000 units), and lactose-free milk half-pint containers (2,500 units), with all products meeting U.S. Grade A standards and including pasteurization, homogenization, and Vitamin D enrichment requirements. Qualified distributors must demonstrate a minimum of one year of commercial food warehousing and delivery experience, maintain current state and local business licenses, provide proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Vehicle Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers Compensation Insurance. Sealed bids must be submitted via email to School Nutrition Director Joanne Kirven at jkirven@beaufort.k12.nc.us with subject line "BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOLS MILK BIDS" by April 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET, with a virtual preliminary award announcement scheduled for April 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM ET. Award will be based on the lowest price per serving per line item, with pricing submitted on a firm unit price basis including freight. Special conditions require mandatory twice-weekly deliveries to accommodate student needs and school storage capabilities, with vendors responsible for providing credits for leftover milk inventory during scheduled school calendar breaks, excluding force majeure events.

The contract is federally funded through Child Nutrition programs and subject to USDA Buy American regulations requiring that over 51 percent of processed food products consist of agricultural commodities of U.S. origin, with fluid milk products requiring specific Buy American statements. Bidders must comply with North Carolina's Lunsford Act criminal background check requirements for all employees and agents working on school premises or within 300 feet of school facilities, with background checks maintained and updated annually. Additionally, bidders must certify non-involvement with entities on the State Treasurer's Iran Final Divestment List and confirm non-utilization of any subcontractors appearing on that list. All distributors must submit HACCP food safety documentation, current food recall procedures, federal lobbying certifications, and debarment and suspension certifications as part of the bid package. Payment terms specify that invoices must be issued within 30 days of purchase, with the School District paying within 30 days of receiving a correct invoice, and separate invoices must be provided by site. No specific bid values or budget ranges are stated in the procurement documents, nor is incumbent vendor information provided; interested parties should contact School Nutrition Director Joanne Kirven at 252-946-2012 or jkirven@beaufort.k12.nc.us for complete specifications and bid documents.