REQUEST FOR BID For Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is seeking a vendor to provide fresh, local produce snacks for elementary students through the USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program. The procurement involves weekly snack provisions of approximately 4,700 servings to be delivered each Thursday when classes are in session, from March 1, 2018 through May 31, 2018. All products must be sourced within 150 miles of Madison, Wisconsin, with vendors required to provide documentation of product origin and traceability. The specific produce list includes sweet potatoes, kohlrabi, carrots, spinach, radishes, cabbage, beets, spring mix lettuce, sweet pepper strips, snap peas, and grape or cherry tomatoes, all of which must be inspected, cleaned, and packaged for classroom distribution. Bidders must submit one original and two copies of documentation by February 8, 2018 at 2:00 PM CST. The evaluation criteria will weight cost at 40%, geographic preference at 30%, product specifications at 10%, distance documentation at 10%, and traceability documentation at 10%.

The solicitation offers additional preference for diverse-owned businesses certified by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program or participating in the Wisconsin Diversity Procurement Network, which may receive an additional 5% preference. Vendors must maintain one million dollars in minimum liability insurance and comply with affirmative action requirements unless exempt. The MMSD reserves the right to award the bid in whole or in part and can adjust quantities as needed. Bidders must provide pricing on a per-pound basis, with options for both conventional and organic produce; organic produce will receive a 0.20 per pound discount in the final scoring comparison. The district is exempt from federal excise tax and Wisconsin state sales tax. While no specific budget range is disclosed, the weekly volume of 4,700 servings suggests a substantial contract value for the three-month program period. Potential vendors must be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation of product origin, traceability, and delivery methods.