IFB Milk Products 2026

Head Start of Greater Dallas, Inc. is seeking a dairy vendor through an Invitation for Bids (IFB) to supply milk products to multiple Head Start locations throughout Dallas County. The procurement focuses on Grade A pasteurized, homogenized, vitamin A and D-enriched white milk in whole and low-fat/skim varieties, available in pint cartons and gallon sizes, with lactose-free options. Required products include fluid milk, and preferred products encompass plain and Greek yogurt in various container sizes, with sugar content limited to 12 grams per 6 ounces. Based on projected consumption, the agency anticipates purchasing approximately 1,926 gallons of whole milk, 16,177 gallons of skim milk, and smaller quantities of specialty dairy items annually. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., with sealed bids due by 9:30 a.m. on June 24, 2026. The contract will span one year with four optional one-year renewals, potentially extending to five years total. Evaluation criteria will include unit price, quality, delivery and service capability, specification compliance, and small business status, utilizing a best-value procurement methodology with weighted scoring.

The procurement encourages participation from small businesses, minority-owned, and woman-owned enterprises, though specific set-aside percentages are not explicitly defined. Bidders must provide references, a certificate of insurance with minimum general liability of $1,000,000, and workers' compensation coverage, while also complying with federal, state, county, and local regulations. The agency is exempt from sales and federal excise taxes, and pricing cannot be altered during the first contract year without mutual agreement and 90-day advance notice. Funding is available through the current fiscal year, with renewals contingent upon appropriations, primarily sourced from federal dollars requiring 25 percent non-federal matching funds. The agency qualifies for Texas Cooperative Purchasing Contracts and encourages bidders to offer cooperative schedule pricing. While no specific budget range is provided, bidders are invited to contribute in-kind donations or services to help meet the matching fund requirements, though this is not mandatory for bid submission.