Beverages, Canned & Bottled

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (CMBE) is seeking qualified vendors to supply canned and bottled beverages for school cafeterias through Invitation for Bid (IFB) #163-04022025TB. The procurement is specifically for beverages to be dispensed to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) students, with a contract period from August 18, 2025, to August 17, 2026, and potential for up to three additional one-year renewals. The bid requires vendors to provide a range of beverage products including bottled spring water, non-carbonated 100% fruit juices, electrolyte replacement drinks, juice concentrates, and flavored sparkling waters. Vendors must comply with federal regulations, state statutes, and the "Buy American" requirement, which mandates that domestic commodities comprise over 51% of the final processed product. The bid is scheduled to be opened on April 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET, with electronic submissions required through the vendor portal. Evaluation criteria will include pricing, vendor qualifications, technical approach, experience, and proposal completeness, with pricing to remain firm for the first 120 days and potential market-condition adjustments effective January 1, 2026.

The solicitation emphasizes participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) and includes specific requirements for Minority, Women, Small Business Enterprise (M/W/SBE) engagement. Vendors must complete an M/W/SBE Utilization Form, specifying the percentage of contract dollars to be expended with diverse businesses and listing specific M/W/SBE firms. Additional mandatory requirements include comprehensive criminal background checks for all employees, compliance with the NC Lunsford Act, and certification regarding debarment and lobbying activities. Vendors must also disclose the location of workers utilized, both within and outside the United States, in compliance with NC General Statute G.S. 143-59.4. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the estimated annual usage for various beverage categories ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 cases. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education reserves the right to award the contract to one or multiple vendors and to reject any or all bids, providing flexibility in the procurement process.