Request for Proposals (RFP) - AISD Food Services - Custom Serving Line Upgrades at Akins and Bowie High School Kitchens

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is soliciting proposals for custom serving line upgrades at Akins and Bowie High School kitchens through RFP 26RFP032, a competitive Request for Proposals process. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to design, fabricate, deliver, and install custom serving line equipment, including hot and cold units in mobile and stationary configurations, with full removal and disposal of existing equipment. Specific requirements include modular stainless steel serving counters with Alto-Shaam waterless hot wells, mechanically cooled cold food wells, milk crate units, and integrated cashier stations, constructed with 304-grade stainless steel, 3CM manufactured stone countertops, tempered glass breath guards, and NSF-compliant design. Proposals are due on January 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST, with written questions accepted until December 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CST. The district will evaluate proposals using a four-phase scoring system: Proposed Plan (20 points), Contractor's Capabilities (15 points), Proposed Products (25 points), and Financial Proposal (40 points), with installation scheduled during school breaks to minimize operational disruption.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations, but AISD demonstrates a commitment to inclusion of small, local, minority-owned, and women-owned firms through its procurement policies. Vendors must meet comprehensive qualification requirements, including General Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, Workers' Compensation coverage, criminal history background clearance, and proof of good financial standing. The contract will have an initial one-year term with an option for one additional one-year renewal, and the district reserves the right to award a single contract. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the RFP indicates that pricing must be firm and fixed, with no cost-plus-percentage quotations permitted. Vendors must provide detailed documentation including safety records, OSHA logs, workers' compensation loss runs, and reference checks, demonstrating a rigorous vetting process to ensure contractor capability and reliability.