Hancock School Nutrition Fruit Slushie Bid SY27

Hancock County Board of Education is requesting bids on 100% fruit slushies for school nutrition programs under IFB #SN002-2027, with bids due June 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. and bid opening June 29, 2026.

The scope includes single, double, and triple slushie machines (specify purchase or rental and any minimum monthly or annual purchase requirements); 100% fruit juice equivalent slushie flavors; zero sugar iced coffee flavors; and zero sugar teas and lemonades in shelf-style format. All products must include signed formulation statements and maintain Smart Snack approval status. Vendors must specify whether mixing containers are provided at no charge, availability and cost of machine maintenance and parts, machine capability for yogurt addition to create smoothies, and delivery capability to individual school kitchen docks. Pricing should itemize each product flavor and machine type separately, with case and individual 8-ounce serving costs (excluding cup costs). All bid prices must remain firm throughout the contract period, subject to potential escalation or de-escalation adjustments based on third-party market publications requested at least a specified number of days in advance.

Delivery is required to three locations: Hancock Central Middle/High School, M.E. Lewis Elementary, and Early Head Start. All bid pricing must include packing and transportation to designated school sites with no separate fuel charges permitted. The contract term runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Payment follows 30 days of invoice receipt after inspection and acceptance.

Vendors must maintain HACCP procedures and comply with food recall and biosecurity protocols. Federal compliance requirements apply: lobbying certifications for bids exceeding $100,000, debarment verification for bids over $25,000, Buy American provisions for food products, equal employment opportunity compliance for bids over $10,000, and general liability insurance of $500,000 per occurrence with $1,000,000 aggregate limits. The SFA will award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder within approximately 60 days of bid opening. The contract may be awarded to single or multiple vendors and is contingent on available budget and SFA Board approval. Written questions are due June 16, 2026.