Hancock Nutrition Fuit Slushies

The Hancock County Board of Education School Nutrition Program is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the supply of fruit slushie products to support the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The procurement encompasses slushie machines available in single, double, and triple configurations, along with associated beverage products including 100% fruit juice equivalent slushie flavors, zero sugar iced coffee flavors, and zero sugar teas and lemonades. All products must be shelf-style and Smart Snack approved, with bidders required to submit signed formulation statements for each product and provide detailed pricing for both case purchases and individual 8-ounce servings excluding cup costs. Products will be delivered to three school locations: Hancock Central High School, M.E. Lewis Elementary, and Early Head Start. Bidders must address eight specific operational questions regarding machine maintenance and support services, including the provision of mixing containers, free maintenance and parts availability, hourly maintenance rates if applicable, smoothie capability or alternative smoothie product options, and delivery capability to individual school kitchen docks. The contract period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with options for extension up to three months at the same bid pricing with mutual written agreement and renewal options for up to four additional one-year terms based on vendor performance. Sealed bids are due by 8:00 AM on June 17, 2025, at the Hancock County Board of Education, 10571 Highway 15 North, Sparta, Georgia 31087, with written questions due by June 10, 2025, and bid opening scheduled for June 29, 2025, at 9:00 AM.

All bid prices must be firm for the contract period and include all charges for packing and transportation to designated school sites, with separate fuel charges prohibited. Bidders must comply with federal requirements including Buy American provisions (7 CFR Part 210.21(d)), requiring domestic commodities or products processed substantially using U.S. agricultural commodities. Additional compliance requirements include debarment and suspension verification for bids over $25,000, lobbying certifications for bids exceeding $100,000, HACCP plan documentation, proper product labeling with nutritional data, E-Verify authorization, and anti-collusion affidavits. Bidders must provide samples within five business days of request and submit business references as part of the procurement evaluation. Award is contingent upon available budget funds and Board of Education approval, with the contract to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder within approximately 60 days of bid opening. The School Nutrition Program will make payment within 30 days of receipt of properly invoiced goods following inspection and acceptance. The SFA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids in whole or in part, award to single or multiple vendors, and implement price escalation or de-escalation adjustments based on verified third-party market documentation.