Purchase of Beverage Products

Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia is requesting sealed bids on beverage products for the School Nutrition Program under ITB #22-025, with bids due April 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and delivery to 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia. The contract runs August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 with potential renewal for up to three additional one-year increments not to exceed three years total.

The scope encompasses approximately 9,500 cases annually across diet colas (normal, cherry, flavored, orange, lemon-lime, citrus), fruit juices (apple, fruit punch, orange), sports drinks (lemon-lime, fruit punch, grape/orange), and water products (purified, flavored, vitamin-enhanced) in 24-pack or 20-pack formats with 20-ounce bottles. Most cola and sports drink items are designated for high school use only. Approved brands include Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, Powerade, Gatorade, Dasani, Aquafila, Glaceau, Propel, and Sobe. Vendors may submit alternate products matching required specifications if primary items are unavailable, provided complete specifications, nutritional labels, and UPC codes accompany the proposal. The awarded vendor must provide refrigerated merchandisers for select high schools only.

Direct delivery is required Monday through Friday to individual school kitchen receiving points within specified time windows: elementary schools 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., middle schools 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and high schools 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (excluding Thursdays). All deliveries must use well-maintained refrigerated trucks with backorders limited to a maximum of 10 calendar days.

Award goes to the vendor with the largest number of lowest delivered prices. Prices must remain firm for 60 days after bid opening and fixed throughout the contract period. Unit and total prices include all purchasing, packing, and delivery charges. Bidders must carry comprehensive general liability of $1 million to $2 million, automobile liability of $2 million, workers' compensation per Georgia statute, and an umbrella policy of $5 million if appropriate. All bidders must complete mandatory certifications including non-collusion, debarment status, federal work authorization compliance, civil rights assurance, and USDA lobbying certifications. Bidders must provide three references of similar scope, proof of required business licenses, and a W-9 form if not already registered with the District. Payment terms are Net 30 upon receipt and acceptance with electronic fund transfer preferred.