Grocery: In-Store Purchasing or Direct Online Order

Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (MESC) is soliciting sources for grocery, household, kitchen, health and beauty, and general use products for in-store purchasing or direct online order to serve approximately 488 eligible public agencies statewide across Arizona, with proposals due October 29, 2026 under RFP 26V-1029. The cooperative purchasing vehicle makes awards available to all member agencies listed in the Current Mohave Members attachment as of August 31, 2026; additional members may join during the contract term and are responsible for determining whether their purchases would materially increase original solicitation volumes.

Scope encompasses routinely stocked products available through vendor websites or in-store locations—no special quoting or drop shipment arrangements are permitted. Vendors must comply with ANSI, ASTM, CPSC, ISO, NFPA, and UL specifications for all equipment and supplies. Offerors may propose alternate manufacturers or solutions meeting specified quality and performance characteristics; Mohave retains final authority to accept or reject alternatives. Contracts will be awarded for an initial one-year term with four optional one-year extensions available.

Vendor requirements include dynamic pricing reflecting marketplace values; acceptance of credit cards and purchasing cards for all transactions; current PCI data security standards or equivalent industry-recognized security protocols for online ordering; and monthly or quarterly reconciliation reports in Direct Order Detail or Direct Order Invoice format. Vendors may offer loyalty, membership, rewards, or discount programs at members' discretion. Member agencies retain the right to approve or cancel orders when product substitutions occur and must receive prior notification.

Offerors must complete required certifications including Anti-Lobbying Certification (31 U.S.C. § 1352), USDA Form AD-1048 debarment and suspension certification, EDGAR federal compliance certification, and Contract Information for Firm. The EDGAR certification requires adherence to Executive Order 11246, Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, Davis-Bacon Act (building contracts exceeding $2,000), Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (contracts over $100,000), EPA regulations, E-Verify compliance, Buy American provisions (over 51 percent domestic content for food), and Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act standards. Records must be retained for five years after contract completion and are subject to inspection by Mohave, state agencies, USDA, and the U.S. General Accounting Office.

Current Mohave member list is available at www.mesc.org.