Food Services for Child Nutrition

The Kansas School for the Blind, procuring through the Kansas Department of Administration's Office of Procurement and Contracts, is soliciting competitive proposals for food services for child nutrition programs, with questions due November 17, 2026 and proposals due December 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST. Bidders must be registered with the State of Kansas with mandatory registration approval before the closing date. All participating bidders must request an invitation from Procurement Officer Lara J. Williams at least 24 hours before closing, and bidders not initially invited must notify her of intent to bid by the same deadline. Disabled Veteran Owned Business and Certified Business preferences are available, including where supporting documentation accompanies the bid.

Scope covers 169 food items and supplies across dairy, produce, proteins, prepared foods, beverages, and non-food supplies such as cleaning products, disposable containers, and utensils, priced against Year One and Year Two cost sheets. Vendors enter unit and extended pricing without modifying specifications, pack sizes, or quantities. The sponsor may evaluate pricing on all items or on a market basket representing 75–80 percent of prior 12-month purchase value, but the selected vendor must price all items at or before award. Delivery is required once weekly between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66102. Vendors must maintain product freshness, maintain holiday and emergency contingency plans, and preferably offer online ordering and a nutritional menu system. The solicitation is subject to Buy American requirements, calling for domestic commodities or products substantially using domestically produced agricultural commodities (over 51 percent by weight or volume) to the maximum extent practicable. Child Nutrition Labels or Product Formulation Statements are preferred at bid and must be available upon request after award.

The contract term runs January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, with three additional twelve-month renewal options. Pricing is firm-fixed and inclusive of delivery, service, and administrative charges. The Procurement Negotiation Committee will award based on the lowest overall total cost calculated from the sponsor's forecasted usage. Payment terms are Net 30 by electronic funds transfer unless a hardship exception is approved in writing. Bidders must submit a Tax Clearance Certificate, an Immigration Reform and Control Act certification, a Boycott of Israel form, a Sexual Harassment form, and acceptance of State of Kansas terms and conditions. The solicitation also requires certification of non-procurement of covered telecommunications equipment from foreign adversaries. No monetary bid guarantee is required.