REQUEST FOR BID For Petite Bananas

The Madison Metropolitan School District's Food & Nutrition Department has issued a Request for Bid (RFB 4085) for procuring petite bananas to support the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The procurement seeks single petite bananas in 150-count, 40-pound case packs with specific requirements including a banana length of 5 to 5.5 inches and ripeness between stages 3.5 and 4.5 on the Chiquita banana color guide. Projected weekly usage is 55 to 65 cases during the 2021-2022 school year, with deliveries required Monday through Friday between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM at the Food Production Center. Bid evaluation will be comprehensive, with criteria weighted as follows: cost (40%), service and support capabilities (20%), organizational qualifications (15%), diverse-owned business documentation (5%), past performance with MMSD (10%), and references (10%). The bid submission deadline is August 6, 2021, at 2:00 PM CST, with submissions accepted via email to mjhowen@madison.k12.wi.us or by mail/hand delivery to 4711 Pflaum Road, Madison, WI 53718.

The contract includes provisions for diverse-owned business participation, with bidders required to submit affirmative action documentation and Equal Employment Opportunity compliance materials. Vendors must provide a Health Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan and Debarment Certification as part of their bid package. The contract term runs from September 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, with options for two additional one-year renewals by mutual agreement. Vendors are expected to maintain a 98 percent fill rate and guarantee product quality, with any rejected shipments requiring replacement within 24 hours at the same price per serving. The estimated contract value is approximately $46,000 per fiscal year, with pricing based on the distributor's cost of bananas delivered to the District. Governmental and educational discounts must be reflected in unit pricing, and bananas must arrive with an internal temperature of 55°F or above. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all established criteria.