Fresh Produce and A la Carte Beverages for Food Service

Austin Independent School District (AISD) Food Service is soliciting proposals for the supply of fresh produce and a la carte beverages through Request for Proposals (RFP) 26RFP034, conducted in accordance with Texas Education Code Section 44.031(3). The procurement covers Travis County and multiple Austin City jurisdictions and requires qualified vendors to source, purchase, store, and deliver fresh fruits, vegetables, and beverages to all AISD Food Service locations as specified in Appendix 9. Awarded vendors must maintain acceptable fill rates, customer service levels, and product quality while meeting detailed specifications provided in Bid Tables (Attachment A and B), which include monthly usage projections and estimated demand patterns throughout the fiscal year. Vendors must possess demonstrated experience and adequate physical, logistical, and financial resources to operate as commercial distributors capable of direct supply chain management; third-party logistics companies that intend to subcontract the majority of ordering, warehousing, and distribution functions are explicitly prohibited. Key objectives include improving child nutrition through quality products, reducing food transportation distances, supporting labor law compliance across the supply chain, promoting environmentally sustainable food production practices, and supporting farmers and producers that provide healthy and humane conditions for animals through participation in the Good Food Purchasing Program. Evaluation criteria include proposal price, vendor reputation, product quality, alignment with district needs, past performance verified through reference checks, historically underutilized business impact, total long-term cost, and in-state business operations. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on March 11, 2026, to AISD Contract and Procurement Services, and Addendum 1 issued on February 17, 2026, clarifies electronic ordering catalog requirements, Good Food Purchasing Program data reporting obligations, and revised bid table specifications.

AISD actively encourages participation from small, local, and minority/women-owned businesses and provides preference for Texas-grown agricultural products when quality and cost are comparable. Vendors must complete all required forms including Bid Certification, Debarment and Suspension Certification, Strategic Partner Profile, Conflict of Interest Questionnaire, Form W-9, and the Buy American Provision Form, certifying compliance with domestic product requirements where over 51% of processed foods must consist of domestically grown and processed agricultural commodities. The district requires successful vendors to commit to the Good Food Purchasing Program through execution of the Bidding Vendor Pledge, establishing supply chain accountability systems, completing baseline purchasing assessments, providing annual sourcing data in Excel format, and seeking innovative products aligned with program objectives. Vendors must maintain appropriate insurance, comply with FERPA and HIPAA confidentiality requirements, carry compliance certifications, and meet all federal, state, and local legal requirements including the Americans with Disabilities Act and OSHA standards; contracts valued at $25,000 or above require completion of a Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility Certification. The solicitation does not identify incumbent vendors or specific budget ranges, and compensation is based solely on work actually performed at prices specified in the approved Financial Proposal, with no guaranteed minimum purchases or payments; the Master Purchasing Agreement template establishes ongoing performance obligations and allows the district to renew contracts for additional one-year periods at its discretion through written amendment.