2026-010 Smith ES Walk-In Cooler/Freezer Combo with Install

The Mesquite Independent School District (MISD) Food & Nutrition Services Department in Texas is soliciting proposals through an Invitation to Bid for the procurement, delivery, and installation of a walk-in cooler/freezer combo unit at Smith Elementary School. The deliverable consists of a turnkey solution including two custom-fabricated refrigerated compartments—an 8'5" x 10'6" x 8'6" foam rail freezer and an 8'1" x 10'6" x 8'6" foam rail cooler, both with floors, manufactured by ThermoKool or an approved equal. The scope of work encompasses all labor, materials, equipment delivery, removal and haul-off of existing equipment, installation in accordance with manufacturer specifications and local codes, refrigeration and drain line installation (not to exceed 30 feet and 25 feet respectively per unit), system startup and testing, permitting, and all sub-trades including flooring, electrical, ceiling work, and fire suppression modifications. Vendors must attend a mandatory site visit scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM (check-in at Cannaday Elementary School), provide a minimum of three school district references with Texas preference, and include detailed specifications, warranty terms, installation plans with delivery timeframes, and on-site staff training. The evaluation criteria total 100 points, distributed across purchase price (40 points), reputation based on reference surveys (10 points), quality of goods and services including delivery timeline and warranty length (25 points), extent to which goods meet district needs including mandatory site visit attendance (15 points), and vendor responsibility and responsiveness (10 points). The deadline for submitting questions is May 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM (CDT), with proposals due on June 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM (CDT); all pricing must be submitted through Ion Wave's Bid Tabulation system with accompanying detailed PDF quotes. The contract term runs from June 10, 2026, through June 10, 2027, with options to renew annually through June 10, 2028.

The solicitation includes compliance requirements with Texas and federal regulations, including submission of a Certificate of Insurance, Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295, conflict of interest questionnaire if applicable, W9 form, current insurance information, credit report, and two years of financial records demonstrating financial stability. Vendors must comply with SB 9 criminal background check requirements and MISD site rules regarding safety, conduct, and employee identification. The District reserves the right to award to one or multiple vendors and to modify contract terms by mutual agreement, with acceptance of Net 30 payment terms and preference for online submissions through https://mesquiteisd.ionwave.net, though sealed envelope submissions are also permitted. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation; however, the comprehensive nature of the procurement—including equipment, labor, removal of existing units, installation, system testing, training, and extended warranty provisions—suggests a substantial capital investment. The documentation references historically underutilized business requirements and compliance considerations, though no specific set-asides or restrictions limiting eligible vendor types are explicitly detailed. Bids will be accepted for sixty calendar days from submission unless otherwise specified by the vendor, and late bids, faxed submissions, or emailed bids will not be considered.