IFB Food

Cook County School Nutrition Program is seeking bids for a comprehensive food procurement contract for School Year 2026, issued as Invitation for Bid (IFB) #17 in the state of Georgia. The procurement covers an extensive range of food products including meats, breakfast items, produce, condiments, and processed foods for multiple school systems. The contract period will run from July 18, 2025, through July 17, 2026, with an option to extend up to three months at the same bid pricing and potential renewal for four additional one-year terms. Key procurement documents include a detailed grocery bid attachment specifying approximately 200 unique food items across multiple categories, with precise vendor requirements around product specifications, packaging, and nutritional guidelines. Critical procurement dates include May 16, 2025, as the bid issuance date, written questions due by June 6, 2025, and final bid submissions due on June 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The School Nutrition Program will award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specifications, with a strong emphasis on compliance with federal regulations, including the Buy American provision requiring domestic commodity purchasing.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but vendors must meet comprehensive qualification requirements including non-discrimination policies, work authorization verification, and school nutrition program guidelines. Vendors must comply with strict product specifications, including Buy American compliance, sodium content limitations, and specific serving size measurements. Pricing terms mandate that all bid prices remain firm for 60 days following contract award, with potential six-month price adjustments based on verifiable market conditions from sources like USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports or Consumer Price Index changes. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement covers an extensive food inventory for multiple school systems, suggesting a significant contract value. The bid allows for potential product substitutions and requires vendors to provide detailed nutritional information, packaging specifications, and comply with federal and state procurement regulations. The comprehensive nature of the bid suggests the potential for a substantial multi-year food service contract covering multiple school districts within the region.