Breakfast and Lunch Entrees

The Escambia County School District is seeking a purchase agreement for breakfast and lunch entrees to support school cafeterias throughout the district. The procurement, identified as Bid #241202, covers approximately 78 different food items including frozen and shelf-stable products such as cereal bars, muffins, pizza, chicken products, fish sticks, and breakfast pastries. The initial contract period is from May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, with a potential one-year renewal option extending through April 28, 2026. Vendors must submit proposals by Monday, February 26, 2024, at 1:30 PM CST, with bid evaluations scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2024, and School Board approval targeted for Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Evaluation criteria will include price, quality, availability, and responsiveness, with a strong emphasis on compliance with USDA nutritional guidelines, Buy American provisions, and child nutrition program requirements. Bidders must provide detailed product specifications, nutritional information, packaging details, and certifications, with potential requirements for product samples and comprehensive documentation.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but vendors must demonstrate compliance with federal and state regulations, including maintaining a drug-free workplace program. Bidders must provide comprehensive documentation, including nutrition labels, product origin certifications, and evidence of meeting child nutrition program standards. The contract is funded through the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program, with a preference for domestic products that meet nutritional guidelines for whole grain-rich, low-sodium, and nutritionally balanced food items. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the breadth of the procurement (78 different food items) suggests a substantial annual contract value. Vendors must be prepared to supply products that meet strict nutritional and quality standards, with the ability to consistently deliver across multiple school cafeterias in the Escambia County School District.