Purchase of Produce Items

Muscogee County School District is soliciting sealed bids for the purchase and direct delivery of fresh produce items to support the School Nutrition Program under ITB 23-022, with bids due May 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The scope encompasses approximately 80 produce line items across fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and prepared produce in specified pack sizes and formats — whole items, pre-cut options, individually wrapped portions, and bulk quantities. Estimated quantities range from 50 units for specialty items such as cantaloupe and honeydew to 1,500 units for high-volume staples such as bananas and apple slices. All produce must be fresh, first-class condition, compliant with federal standards, and properly refrigerated during transport and storage. Addendum 1 (issued May 5, 2023) clarifies that apples are bulk packed without padding trays, honeydews may be supplied in vendors' available counts, cabbage slaw must be shredded with color (1 pound red cabbage and 1 pound shredded carrots per 5-pound bag), lettuce and salad mixes must include color varieties, sweet potatoes shall be medium size, and watermelons must be seedless. All deliveries are on Mondays to multiple school locations within the district with specific time windows for elementary, middle, and high schools; key-drop delivery is not permitted.

The contract runs from August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024, with renewal options in one-year increments not to exceed three years total. Pricing is based on a markup above the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Market News Index Price for the higher price range dated April 13, 2023; bidders may submit negative markups. All costs for purchasing, packing, and delivery are included in quoted prices. The District will award individual items or on a lump-sum basis to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder based on the majority number of lowest delivered prices across line items. Bidders must provide proof of insurance including $1 million comprehensive general liability per occurrence, $2 million aggregate, $1 million comprehensive automobile liability, workers' compensation per Georgia statutory requirements, and a $5 million umbrella/excess policy. Payment terms are Net 30 upon receipt, inspection, and acceptance. Other government entities including Chattahoochee, Marion, Harris, and Webster Counties may piggyback off this contract.