Cooperative grocery items

The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and participating school districts are seeking a cooperative grocery items contract through a competitive bid process (WFL 2026-04B) covering January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, with potential six-month extension options. The procurement encompasses an extensive range of grocery products including bagels, baking products, beef and chicken items, beverages, breads, cereals, cheese, chips, condiments, frozen foods, gluten-free products, juices, pizzas, and snack items for 25 component school districts across Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties. Bids will be opened on October 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Business Office in Newark, NY, with vendors required to provide detailed pricing, catalog information, and meet specific product requirements such as maintaining 6-month shelf life for non-perishable items. The bid is structured in two sections: Section A for specific previously purchased grocery items and Section B allowing additional purchases through a discount pricing mechanism. Bidders must provide comprehensive product specifications, unit pricing, pack sizes, and comply with delivery requirements to multiple school district locations with specific delivery time windows.

The procurement opportunity includes provisions for minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) and emphasizes Buy American provisions. Other political subdivisions and municipalities in New York State may potentially participate in the cooperative purchasing agreement. Vendors must demonstrate compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols and provide nutritional data for submitted products. The contract allows for flexible purchasing with no minimum order requirements, and participants can order items through various methods. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the bid covers an extensive list of grocery items across 25 school districts, suggesting significant potential contract value. Vendors must be prepared to respond to price inquiries within one business day and provide base and net discounted prices for requested items. The procurement also requires vendors to meet specific administrative requirements outlined in Appendix II contract provisions, which detail federal award compliance standards covering areas such as equal employment opportunity, labor standards, and workplace safety regulations.