Charter School Institute - Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), serving as the School Food Authority for multiple self-operating charter schools in Denver County and Denver City, is issuing a Request for Proposal for fresh fruit and vegetable procurement under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The procurement seeks qualified vendors to supply both bulk and individually wrapped fresh produce items to three charter school locations: Pinnacle K-8 in Federal Heights, Academy of Arts and Knowledge in Fort Collins, and Ricardo Flores Magon Academy in Denver, serving approximately 1,600 students across elementary and middle school levels. The required deliverables include a comprehensive range of fresh produce items, including whole fruits and vegetables such as apples, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, honeydew melons, peaches, pears, plums, radishes, raspberries, tomatoes, spinach, summer squash, and watermelon, as well as pre-cut and processed items packaged in standardized 50-piece, 2-ounce servings and 5-pound bulk packs. Key objectives include establishing reliable weekly FFVP services with monthly demand projections coordinated between CSI and participating schools, with deliveries accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and orders placed a minimum of three business days in advance. Vendors must demonstrate food safety compliance through submission of a completed Producer Food Safety Checklist documenting on-farm food safety and HACCP plans, with CSI retaining the right to schedule farm visits; maintain minimum liability insurance of $1 million; and comply with the Buy American Act, supplying domestic products unless unavailable or when domestic costs exceed foreign alternatives by 25 percent or more. The evaluation will be based on a 100-point rubric comprising proposed pricing (21 points), vendor performance and reputation (20 points), delivery capability (20 points), financial responsibility (20 points), and ability to meet bid requirements including food safety plans (19 points), with award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder or the bid most advantageous to the program. The RFP invitation was issued April 29, 2026, with inquiries due by May 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM MST and vendor responses to inquiries provided by May 26, 2026; bid responses are due by 9:00 AM MST on May 29, 2026, submitted via email to IleneAgustin@csi.state.co.us.

This procurement does not indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting response to particular organization types; however, CSI is noted as an equal opportunity employer, suggesting compliance with non-discrimination standards. The contract period runs for one year, commencing August 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, with an optional renewal for four additional one-year terms at the request of CSI or the schools, allowing for long-term vendor relationships and supply stability. All products must be delivered Free on Board (FOB) Destination with pricing submitted separately for raw food costs and delivery costs, with payment terms required to be net 30 days or discounted net 10 days from receipt of goods or invoice, whichever is later. CSI and the schools reserve the right to supplement procurement through Colorado State Bid Contracts, the RPS bid contract, or other sources during the contract term and may add goods after award if needed, providing flexibility in supply chain management. Vendors are required to replace defective items within seven days at no cost and must address product recalls by removing or authorizing disposal within 21 calendar days with replacement at vendor expense, ensuring product quality and safety standards. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available documentation, though the scope of serving 1,600 students with comprehensive fresh produce supply suggests a substantial annual procurement.