High Volume Groceries & Supplies

Klein Independent School District (KISD) in Texas is soliciting electronic bids through its Bonfire electronic bidding system for a one-year High Volume Groceries & Supplies contract beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. The procurement seeks proposals for high-volume grocery and supply products to support the district's food service operations across its 133 campuses, including five high schools, ten intermediate schools, and numerous elementary schools located throughout the Klein, Texas service area. All products must be distributed through one Houston-area full-service distributor, with proposed prices representing the maximum price to the distributor and including all costs such as fuel, freight, and taxes. The district is tax-exempt and will not pay sales or transportation taxes, which must not be included in proposals. Bidders must submit three references demonstrating similar work experience and may be subject to background checks prior to commencing work on district property. The submission deadline is 2:00 p.m. on April 3, 2026, with a deadline for submitting questions by March 27, 2026, and an anticipated award recommendation by June 8, 2026. Evaluation will be conducted on a line-item basis with potential awards to multiple vendors, weighted as follows: price (70 points), vendor reputation (10 points), quality of goods or services (10 points), extent to which offerings meet district needs (5 points), and long-term cost to the district (5 points).

The district encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (MWBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE), and veteran-owned businesses as both prime contractors and subcontractors, though no specific set-aside percentages or restrictions are designated. All vendors must comply with extensive federal and state requirements, including Davis-Bacon Act provisions, Clean Air Act and Water Pollution Control Act standards, debarment and suspension certification, Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment compliance, and Texas Education Code Chapters 22 and 22A regarding employee misconduct reporting and criminal history reviews. Selected vendors must maintain general liability insurance of $1,000,000, workers' compensation coverage as required by Texas law, and automobile liability coverage of $1,000,000, with Klein ISD named as an additional insured. The solicitation does not identify incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it specify a budget range or award value. Price increases must be requested in writing at least 60 days in advance and are subject to district approval, while any market-driven price decreases must be forwarded immediately. The contract is non-exclusive, and the district reserves the right to award multiple contracts, terminate contracts for convenience with thirty days' notice, and utilize other procurement sources simultaneously.