Cafeteria, Classroom, Office, Library Furniture

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, is issuing Invitation to Bid (ITB) 040-MJ-0626 for the procurement of cafeteria, classroom, office, and library furniture under a one-year contract commencing June 11, 2026, and ending June 10, 2027. Bidders must submit electronic responses through VendorLink by April 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with bid opening occurring on the same date and the Notice of Recommended Bid Award expected by May 18, 2026, followed by Superintendent approval by June 9, 2026. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by April 21, 2026, with responses provided by April 23, 2026. The procurement seeks various furniture items to support school operations, with delivery required to the School Board warehouse in Winter Haven, Florida, or to specific project school locations for capital outlay projects. All items must be shipped in sealed, palletized cardboard containers and cannot be accepted if incomplete, with pricing to remain firm throughout the contract period and include all freight and handling charges. The School Board reserves the right to make awards on a composite or line-item basis, delete items from the bid, request samples within seven business days, and reject any or all bids. Required qualifications include compliance with all federal requirements when federal funds are expended, including Equal Employment Opportunity, the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, Davis-Bacon Act, and various federal certifications, as well as submission of required documentation including Bidder Acknowledgment, Conflict of Interest Statement, Federal Debarment Certification, and affidavits regarding coercion for labor and foreign countries of concern.

Florida Preference applies pursuant to Florida Statute 287.084, requiring bidders to complete documentation identifying their principal place of business, with bids from proposers outside Florida subject to appropriate price adjustments; bidders with principal places of business within Florida need only complete the initial identification section, while out-of-state bidders must submit a written legal opinion from an attorney licensed in their home state addressing any bidding preferences or advantages granted to in-state entities. Bidders seeking a competitive advantage may certify compliance with Drug-Free Workplace Program requirements under Florida Statute 287.087, with preference given to vendors implementing such programs when bids are equal in price, quality, and service. All vendors must comply with E-Verify employment eligibility verification requirements, certify they are not owned or controlled by specified foreign governments including the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, and maintain and protect public records per Florida law. The School Board is exempt from state sales and use taxes and federal excise taxes. The solicitation documents do not identify incumbent vendors, current contractors, or a specific budget range for this procurement.