Petite Bananas (Singles)

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Food & Nutrition department is seeking bids for petite bananas through Request for Bid (RFB 4008) for the 2018-2019 school year. The procurement seeks 150-count cases (40-pound cases) of petite bananas, specifically 5 to 5.5 inches in length, to be delivered to the Food Production Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The district anticipates ordering between 38-45 cases weekly during the school year, with a minimum of 35 cases per week and two to three monthly orders. The bid submission deadline is April 30, 2018 at 2:00 PM (CST), with bids required in one original and three copies submitted via mail, hand delivery, or delivery service. Evaluation criteria will include cost (35%), organizational ability to meet service requirements (20%), organizational qualifications and experience (20%), past performance with MMSD (10%), references (10%), and diverse-business ownership documentation (5%). Delivery requirements mandate Monday through Friday deliveries between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, with bananas arriving in ready-to-eat condition at internal temperatures of 55F or above.

The contract has several specific requirements for potential vendors, including maintaining a HACCP plan and guaranteeing at least a 98% fill rate. Non-exempt vendors must comply with affirmative action and equal employment opportunity requirements, including submission of an Affirmative Action Plan and Employer Information Report. The district provides some flexibility by being exempt from Federal Excise Tax and State Sales Tax. The current contract is estimated at $32,000 for the fiscal year, with the contract period running from August 20, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting the established criteria. Vendors must ensure bananas are delivered in first-class condition, with replacement required at no additional charge if the quality does not meet specifications. The procurement appears open to various vendors who can meet the technical and performance requirements, with a slight preference for diverse-business ownership.