Milk Products for School Nutrition Services

Vance County Schools in North Carolina is seeking a milk product vendor for its federally-funded School Nutrition Program through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the period of August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026. The procurement involves supplying approximately 722,300 half-pint milk units, specifically 240,500 units of unflavored 1% milk, 412,800 units of chocolate skim milk, and 69,000 units of strawberry skim milk. Vendors must provide U.S. Grade A pasteurized, homogenized milk that is Vitamin A & D enriched, with no high fructose corn syrup and limited added sugar for flavored varieties. The bid requires comprehensive documentation, including product labels, HACCP food safety plans, insurance certificates, and compliance with USDA regulations. The bid opening is scheduled for May 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with vendors able to hand-deliver bids between 1:00 p.m. and 1:59 p.m. or mail bids to be received by May 28 at 4:00 p.m. Evaluation will focus on the lowest bottom-line price while considering product quality, delivery reliability, and adherence to specifications.

The contract allows for potential two one-year renewals, contingent on mutual agreement between the vendor and school district. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, vendors are required to provide evidence of Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification if applicable. The contract includes provisions for price adjustments based on Federal Milk Order pricing, with potential modifications of $0.001 per half-pint for every $0.15 change in raw milk prices. Vendors must comply with federal regulations, including the Buy American provision requiring domestic product sourcing. Delivery requirements are stringent, with deliveries permitted only between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on school days, with specific time restrictions at certain schools like Dabney Elementary and STEM Early High School. The contract covers 13 school food preparation kitchens across Vance County, with the school district reserving the right to terminate the contract for non-performance. While a specific budget range is not provided, the total estimated procurement volume suggests a significant annual contract value for milk products.