Effingham School Nutrition Grocery Bid 2026

The Effingham County Board of Education is soliciting sealed bids for the purchase and weekly delivery of grocery items to 15 school locations for the 2026-2027 school year. This Invitation for Bid (IFB# 50126 FOOD) encompasses multiple product categories including beef, poultry, pork, turkey, meat alternates, dairy products, pizzas, breakfast items, breads, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, dry goods, and à la carte snacks, with estimated high-volume items such as 3,000 cases of PBJ sandwiches, 19,000 cases of 4-ounce juice servings, 2,850 cases of chips, and 1,200 cases of cereal. All products must comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards and Child Nutrition program requirements, including specifications for reduced sodium, lower fat content, whole grain enrichment, and nutritional labeling. Delivery is required on a weekly basis, Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., for approximately 40 weeks during the school year, with all pricing to include packing and transportation costs to delivery sites. Bids must be submitted by June 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. to Jessica O'Leary, School Nutrition Director, at 405 North Ash Street, Springfield, Georgia 31329, with public bid opening scheduled for June 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Written questions must be submitted by May 15, 2026. Contract awards will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on a line-item basis, with the potential for multiple vendors to win portions of the overall contract, with award decisions expected within approximately 60 days of bid opening.

All bid pricing must remain firm for 60 days from the award date and throughout the contract period, subject to a six-month escalation/de-escalation clause based on verified third-party market data such as USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports, with price increases capped at 10 percent per awarded product. The procurement is subject to the Buy American provision for food products, requiring over 51 percent domestic agricultural content, with domestic-only designations applied to certain items such as beef. Bids are contingent upon compliance with federal procurement standards, HACCP food safety requirements, and mandatory certifications regarding debarment status and E-Verify employment authorization; bids exceeding $100,000 require anti-lobbying compliance certification. In the event of tied bids, preference will be given to in-county suppliers, followed by in-state suppliers and Georgia-made goods. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options for a one-time prospective price redetermination and potential renewal for up to four additional one-year terms based on vendor performance and available budget funds. The Effingham County Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer, and award is contingent upon approval by the Board.