Grocery products 2026 - 2028; RFQ#26-204

Richmond County Board of Education in Augusta, Georgia is issuing Request for Quotation #26-204 to procure grocery products for the 2026-2028 school years, with a bid submission deadline of May 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST. The procurement encompasses a comprehensive range of food items organized into three primary categories: frozen products (beef, chicken, fish, pork, turkey, pizza, potato, and grain items), cooler/refrigerated products (dairy items including cheeses, yogurt, and tortillas), and dry storage products (canned fruits and vegetables, snacks, cereals, condiments, beverages, and seasonings). Bidders may respond to individual line items or submit lump-sum bids covering at least 95% of total items, with unit pricing required for each product. All items must meet USDA Grade A standards, Child Nutrition label requirements, whole grain content specifications, sodium limits, and trans-fat-free formulations. Deliverables include F.O.B. delivery to individual schools in Richmond County, marked for attention of each school's lunchroom manager, with regular deliveries required Monday through Wednesday between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., either weekly or bi-weekly as approved by the School Nutrition Department. Price quotes must remain firm for three months beginning July 1, 2026, and the contract period runs through June 30, 2028, with two optional one-year renewal terms available upon mutual agreement. The school system requires vendor compliance with E-Verify authorization, sex offender background checks, smoke-free environment policies, non-discrimination certifications, and Buy American provisions under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program regulations.

Richmond County School System adheres to buy American requirements and tax-exempt status, necessitating bids that exclude Federal Excise Tax and State Tax. All freight, fuel surcharges, and delivery charges must be included in unit prices, with no overshipments or undershipments permitted. Successful bidder(s) must provide warranty coverage to replace defective items within one week of acceptance at no cost to the school system, with all merchandise subject to inspection upon arrival and defective items rejected at the vendor's expense for return and replacement. The RFQ does not specify incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it establish a disclosed award value or budget range. Bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes using the provided protected Excel spreadsheet bid form and addressed to Dr. Malinda B. Cobb, Superintendent of Schools at 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. The procurement documentation specifies approved brand names and distributors for items while allowing acceptable equal alternatives, providing vendors flexibility in product sourcing while maintaining rigorous quality and nutritional standards to support the school system's nutrition program serving Richmond County students.