Food Products and Distribution Services

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is requesting bids for food products and distribution services under Bid 22-54, with proposals due June 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The solicitation encompasses nine product categories—grains (89 line items), dairy (17 line items), frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables (73 line items), fresh produce staples (44 line items), processed fresh produce and single-serve items (24 line items), protein products (49 line items), smart snacks and beverages (71 line items), spices and condiments (80 line items), and commodity non-opening inventory items (9 line items)—with annual quantities ranging from 5 cases for specialty items to over 21,000 cases for high-volume juice products. Bidders must provide FOB shipping carton or case costs for all line items and accept equivalent product substitutions where designated.

Addendum 2, posted May 24, 2022, extended the bid deadline from an earlier date to June 16 and addressed eleven clarification questions. The District will accept product substitutions reviewed and approved after bid opening with no price changes during evaluation; vendors may submit substitution documentation post-opening. The District accepts comparable brands meeting nutritional requirements when specified brands are unavailable, non-domestic products when domestic items are not available (domestic sourcing is preferred), and price increases with District approval after notification. Damaged products will be credited and picked up at no cost during the next scheduled delivery. Vendors must provide immediate recall notifications, sample testing before widespread distribution, monthly usage reports in non-Excel format, and nutritional information access. Addenda 1, 3, and 4 also modified original terms; bidders must acknowledge receipt of all addenda and confirm understanding of updated requirements as part of bid submission. Williams Institutional Foods, Inc., located at 1325 Bowens Mill Road SW, Douglas, Georgia 31533, was awarded the contract effective July 25, 2022, with a one-year initial term and two renewal options.