Fresh produce

Dougherty County Board of Education is requesting sealed bids for fresh produce to support its school nutrition program under IFB 005-SNS-2024, with bids due June 13, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at 601 Flint Avenue, Albany, Georgia, and virtual attendance available via Zoom. The solicitation is subject to the Buy American Act (7 CFR 210.21), requiring domestic commodities to the maximum extent practicable.

The scope covers fresh produce delivery to 24 school nutrition sites across the Dougherty County School System for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The quote sheet itemizes 47 produce line items including apples, carrots, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, celery, cucumbers, grapes, lettuce, spinach, strawberries, and tomatoes in multiple package sizes and formats, with estimated yearly usage quantities ranging from 5 to 900 units per item. Bidders must provide pricing on a fixed fee per case or unit basis. Direct-to-site weekly deliveries are required for 40 weeks throughout the school year with F.O.B. destination pricing to specified school locations. All costs for product, packing, and transportation must be included in the item price; no fuel surcharge is permitted.

The contract term runs July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, with an option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms by mutual written agreement. The Board will award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specifications within approximately 60 days of bid opening and reserves the right to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors. Bid pricing must remain firm for the entire contract period. Payment will be made within 30 days of receipt and inspection of properly delivered goods. The Q&A deadline is May 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Bidders must provide three professional references demonstrating similar product or service delivery experience and submit one original, one printed copy, and one digital copy on a flash drive. For bids exceeding $25,000, debarment certification is required; for bids over $100,000, a lobbying certificate and disclosure form must be completed.