Milk, Dairy and Non-Dairy

The School Board of Polk County, Florida is seeking a vendor to procure milk, dairy, and non-dairy products for its school nutrition program, serving more than 117,000 students across 120 schools. The procurement opportunity is structured with two product groups: Group A covers milk products in 1/2 pint containers, including unflavored low-fat milk, chocolate fat-free milk, strawberry fat-free milk, and lactose-free white milk, with estimated annual usage ranging from 125,000 to 11,000,000 units. Group B includes optional additional dairy products such as buttermilk, low-fat milk in 1/2 gallon containers, and frozen or chilled nonfat strawberry yogurt. Proposers must bid on all items in Group A and meet specific product requirements, including Grade A standards, fortification with Vitamins A and D, and restrictions on added sugar and artificial ingredients. The evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point basis, considering general submittals, experience and qualifications, services and project approach, ordering and delivery procedures, reporting services, total price, and inventory management. Key dates include a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on January 15, 2026, written questions due by January 22, 2026, and proposals due electronically through VendorLink by February 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM.

The solicitation requires vendors to have been in business for a minimum of three years and provide proof of establishment. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, vendors must comply with various federal regulations, including Buy American provisions and E-Verify employment eligibility verification requirements. The current contract holder is M&B Products, and the estimated contract value for the initial year is approximately $5,000,000, though actual purchases may vary. The initial contract period is one year, with four optional one-year renewal periods available by mutual agreement. Pricing must remain firm for 30 days following board approval and is subject to monthly escalator adjustments tied to changes in the Federal Milk Order Class 1 price. Vendors must provide all shipping costs and delivery services inside facilities, with no fuel surcharges permitted during the contract term. Additional compliance requirements include submitting various certifications such as the Non-Collusive Affidavit, Certification of Independent Price Determination, and compliance with drug-free workplace and lobbying regulations. The contract will be awarded following board approval, with the anticipated contract commencement date of August 1, 2026.