Groceries for Middletown Public Schools

The Middletown Board of Education in Connecticut is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFPCAFE 2026-01) for the procurement of groceries to support the district's school meal programs throughout all district schools. The solicitation seeks comprehensive food supply services including breakfast items, grains, dairy products, proteins, frozen vegetables, fruits, snacks, beverages, sauces, and specialty products to support an estimated daily service of approximately 3,100 lunches, 500 dinners, and 1,800 breakfasts. The contract period runs for two years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with options for extension by mutual agreement ninety days prior to expiration. Deliveries are required weekly to ten school sites between 6:30 AM and 2:30 PM, with all items requiring off-loading to designated receiving areas. All products must comply with Connecticut Nutrition Standards for Child Nutrition Programs, including specific sodium limits, sugar limits, whole grain criteria, and saturated fat restrictions, with additional consideration given for "clean label" products without artificial chemicals, flavors, preservatives, or dyes. Awards will be determined using a scoring system comprised of price (60%), Child Nutrition Regulation Product Compliance and nutritional standards (20%), and Customer Service/Recommendations (20%). The proposal submission deadline is 11:00 AM EST on April 17, 2026, through the Middletown Board of Education's e-Procurement Portal at https://mpsct.bonfirehub.com, with vendor questions accepted through April 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST directed to Christopher Puorro, Purchasing Agent.

The solicitation is open to all qualified vendors with no specific set-asides or restrictions limiting organizational types mentioned in the available documentation. However, vendors must comply with the Buy American requirement mandating that at least 51 percent of processed food products consist of domestically grown agricultural commodities, and fuel surcharges are prohibited. Selected vendors must maintain specified insurance coverage and provide a Performance Bond equal to 100 percent of the contract price. Prices are fixed for the first year with an opportunity to refresh pricing in April 2027, subject to board approval regarding the reasonableness of increases. The City of Middletown is exempt from federal excise taxes and Connecticut sales and use taxes, which should not be included in proposal pricing. No specific budget allocation or award value is identified in the solicitation documents; however, the district's substantial meal service volume and two-year contract duration indicate a significant procurement opportunity.