FOOD SERVICE DISTRIBUTOR

The Gila River Indian Community Procurement Department is soliciting qualified Food Service Distributors through a Request for Qualifications (RFQL) to provide comprehensive food products and delivery services for various Community departments and programs. The procurement seeks distributors capable of supplying an extensive range of food items including dairy, meat/seafood, frozen goods, packaged goods, beverages, paper products, and produce to departments such as the Department of Rehabilitation and Supervision, Elderly Nutrition Program, Residential Youth Program, and Domestic Violence Shelter. Potential vendors must provide current wholesale pricing with a fixed markup rate that remains constant throughout the contract term, inclusive of administrative fees, overhead, profit, and delivery charges. The evaluation criteria will assess vendors based on experience providing food services (30 points), pricing reasonableness (15 points), online ordering capabilities (15 points), delivery capabilities (15 points), and warehouse location/organizational structure (10 points). Key dates include a questions deadline of August 14, 2025, Statement of Qualifications due September 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM, review and selection through September 12, 2025, and vendor notification around September 16, 2025. The contract period will run from execution through September 30, 2026, with options for two additional one-year renewals.

The solicitation includes specific preference points for certified businesses, with 15 points awarded to Community-owned economic enterprises, 10 points for Community member-owned businesses, 5 points for Native-owned businesses, and 5 points for women/minority-owned businesses. Insurance requirements include workers compensation, commercial general liability ($1M/$2M), and automotive coverage ($1M combined single limits). The Community purchased approximately $1.2 million in food products in the previous calendar year, and multiple contracts may be awarded to cover specific commodity categories. The comprehensive product catalog attached to the solicitation indicates the potential for a significant contract value, with thousands of food items and supplies needed to support diverse dietary requirements across multiple facilities and programs. Vendors must be prepared to provide detailed product specifications, handle varied package sizes, and potentially offer brand-specific or specialized items including gluten-free and organic options. The solicitation suggests the Community is seeking a robust food service supply chain management solution that can consistently meet the nutritional needs of various departments and programs.