Kitchen Equipment, Delivery and Installation

KIPP Texas Public Schools is requesting proposals for the purchase, delivery, installation, and startup of 73 commercial-grade milk coolers across 31 Houston-area campuses under RFP 2526-004, with proposals due July 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST and an estimated award date of July 20, 2026. The contract involves federal School Nutrition Program funds, triggering compliance with USDA/TDA requirements including Buy American Act certifications, performance and payment bonds equaling 100 percent of contract price, and a five-year records retention requirement. All units must be fully installed and operational by August 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year opening.

The scope spans 73 units distributed as 45 eight-crate, 7 twelve-crate, and 21 sixteen-crate configurations across specified Houston and Sugar Land locations. Equipment must be new, commercial-grade, designed for school cafeteria milk service, and capable of maintaining product temperature between 36–40 degrees Fahrenheit on standard 115V single-phase power. Reference models are Beverage-Air SM34HC-W, SM49HC-W, and SM58HC-W; equivalent products from other manufacturers are acceptable. All coolers must include heavy-duty locking casters, self-latching lids with safety bumpers, floor drains, and sanitation/safety agency listings. A 7-year manufacturer warranty covering parts, labor, and compressor is required. Vendor scope includes lift-gate delivery and inside placement to campuses without loading docks, disassembly and removal of existing equipment, electrical and plumbing connections, startup verification, cleanup, and provision of manufacturer documentation.

Evaluation criteria: price 45%, responsiveness to specifications and technical requirements 25%, reputation and quality 15%, financial capability 5%, and past relationship with KIPP or similar entities 10%. Vendors must provide detailed unit pricing, installation fees, removal and disposal charges, and delivery costs; pricing must be all-inclusive with F.O.B. destination freight prepaid. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $2 million per occurrence, statutory workers' compensation, and crime/employee dishonesty coverage of at least $1 million are mandatory. Questions are due July 9, 2026, with answers posted by July 10. Proposals will be opened July 13 at 10:15 a.m. CST via videoconference; evaluation occurs July 14–17. KIPP reserves the right to make multiple awards to one or more vendors or make no awards. Completion of the Vendor Packet, including W-9, debarment certifications, EDGAR certifications, and ACH authorization, is mandatory at proposal submission; failure to submit results in automatic termination of vendor review.