Child nutrition services small equipment

Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is seeking bids for an Invitation for Bid (IFB) #251-26-142 to procure small equipment for seven new school cafeterias within their district. The procurement encompasses 147 line items of kitchen and food service equipment, including utensils, cookware, cleaning supplies, storage containers, thermometers, and scales. Preferred brands such as Vollrath, Rubbermaid, Cambro, and San Jamar are specified for many items, with most requiring NSF certification. The contract will be an agency-specific term contract running from the award date through April 30, 2026, with the potential to establish maximum pricing for items. Bidders must provide brand, manufacturer's product code, and unit pricing for direct shipment to designated locations, inclusive of all freight and unloading charges. The bid will be publicly opened on May 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, with WCPSS reserving the right to award to the lowest and best bidder based on criteria including prices, quality, vendor reputation, conformity to specifications, delivery schedule, service capabilities, and suitability for intended use.

The solicitation encourages participation by historically underutilized businesses, including minority-owned, women-owned, and small business enterprises. Vendors must be licensed to do business in North Carolina and maintain appropriate insurance. The procurement will support WCPSS's Child Nutrition Services department, which serves approximately 52,000 reimbursable lunches and 21,000 reimbursable breakfasts daily across 116 elementary schools, 37 middle schools, 29 high schools, and other educational facilities. The order spreadsheet indicates the equipment will be distributed across multiple school sites, including Baucom ES, Rex Road ES, Felton Grove HS, Pleasant Plains ES, and Bowling Road ES. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the order suggests a significant investment in standardizing and upgrading kitchen equipment across multiple new school locations. The procurement utilizes Fund 4 for purchasing, and vendors are expected to provide firm, all-inclusive pricing that covers manufacturer's cost, freight, storage, distribution, financing, profit, production losses, and other associated business costs.