Macaroni and Cheese with Whole Grain Pasta, Bulk Food Processing

The State of Wisconsin, through the Department of Administration and on behalf of the Department of Public Instruction, is seeking bids for processing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bulk Cheese into Macaroni and Cheese with whole grain pasta for distribution to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program. The procurement aims to award a contract to the vendor providing the best product at the lowest total price per serving, as determined by student taste tests. Bidders must have five years of experience in USDA Foods processing, provide at least three customer references, and possess a USDA-approved National Processing Agreement. The contract term runs from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, with potential renewal options for two additional one-year periods. Key submission deadlines include the bid due date of September 6, 2017, at 2:00 PM CT, with bidders passing the initial nutrient data review to be notified by September 12, 2017, and required to submit product samples by October 5, 2017, for student taste testing at four designated Wisconsin school locations.

The procurement does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The bid is open to food processing vendors with demonstrated experience in USDA commodity processing, and the State reserves the right to conduct background checks and site inspections of awarded bidders' processing facilities. While no incumbent vendor is specifically identified, the State estimates processing a minimum of 1.5 truckloads of bulk cheese (40,800 pounds each). Pricing must be submitted using a fee-for-service processor value-pass-through method, with the USDA Food Value per Case automatically calculated at $1.6929 per pound. The contract requires vendors to provide comprehensive nutrient data, detailed product specifications, and comply with Child Nutrition Meal Pattern requirements, with each serving providing a 2-ounce meat/meat alternate and minimum 0.75-ounce equivalent grains. Pricing must include all costs for delivery FOB Destination to state warehouse sites in Madison and Eau Claire, with initial contract prices firm for the entire first contract period.