Fresh Produce for Child Nutrition Program RFP

McAllen Independent School District is requesting proposals for fresh produce to support its Child Nutrition Program under RFP 2026-1029, with proposals due March 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CST (deadline extended by Addendum 2). The District serves approximately 20,000 students across 31 campuses—18 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 3 comprehensive high schools, and 4 specialty campuses—and intends to award contracts to multiple qualified vendors competing for monthly and weekly purchase awards.

The scope covers a comprehensive range of fresh produce including apples (Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Red varieties), bananas, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and other items specified in the Specifications and Scope of Work. All produce must be new, unused, and in first-class condition with a minimum five-day shelf life from delivery. Vendors must maintain USDA-approved facilities, current HACCP plans, product recall procedures, recent health department inspection reports, refrigerated delivery vehicles, and active pest control services. Delivery is required by 6:30 a.m. to 30 campus sites plus a central kitchen facility (4309 Warrior Drive).

The District prioritizes domestic agricultural products per the Buy American Act (7 CFR 210.21(d)) and provides geographic preference to produce grown within 50 miles of McAllen or elsewhere in the United States where cost and quality are equal. The contract term begins April 9, 2026, for one year with four optional one-year renewal periods. Pricing must remain firm for the contract duration; price decreases and discounts are acceptable at any time, but price increases require documented justification and Director approval.

The evaluation matrix allocates 50 points to price, 20 points to quality of goods or services, 16 points to extent of meeting District needs, 5 points to total long-term cost, 3 points to vendor reputation, 4 points to other relevant factors, and 1 point each to HUB status and Texas principal place of business. Questions are due March 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST (extended by Addendum 2). A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for February 19, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. CST at the Administration Building in McAllen. Award information will be published within 90 days of the proposal deadline. Proposals must be submitted electronically through IonWave; facsimile and email submissions are not accepted. Vendors must submit W-9 forms, conflict of interest questionnaires, Form 1295 certifications, contractor certifications, felony conviction notifications, reference forms, and proof of insurance.