Bread & Bakery Items

The City of Bridgeport, located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, is soliciting bids for Bread & Bakery Items to support the Bridgeport Public Schools through an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the period from February 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. The procurement covers a comprehensive range of bread and bakery products to be delivered to 35 educational facilities across Bridgeport and Trumbull, including public schools, private Catholic academies, and special education centers. Vendors must provide detailed documentation including USDA compliance statements, CT Secretary of State registration, nutritional analysis, product formulation statements, and health inspection records. The bid requires strict adherence to federal regulations, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Buy American Provision, mandating that food products be domestically produced with at least 51% domestic ingredients. Evaluation criteria will consider factors beyond price, including product quality, vendor experience, packaging, storage capabilities, and overall qualifications. The bid submission deadline is February 11, 2025, at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time, with vendors required to be prepared to maintain backup stock and deliver within 24 hours of notice.

The procurement process encourages submissions from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and City-based Businesses (CBB), with specific emphasis on supporting local and minority-owned businesses. Vendors must meet comprehensive insurance requirements, including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, Products Liability, and Automobile Liability insurance, with specific coverage limits and requirements for insurers licensed in Connecticut. The Bridgeport Board of Education reserves the right to award the contract to multiple bidders and to reject any bids that do not meet their stringent criteria. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the procurement will be partially funded through federal funds, with payment terms set at Net 45 Days and orders processed through the TITAN School Solutions ordering system. Vendors must comply with nutritional guidelines from the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, ensure no nut products are included, and meet whole grain standards. The contract includes the potential for a one-year extension at the Board of Education's discretion, providing additional flexibility for both the school district and the selected vendor(s).