RFP 25-0011 USDA Commodity Processing Cheese

Beaverton School District 48J has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) 25-0011 for USDA Commodity Processing Cheese services, seeking qualified proposers to process USDA Foods commodities into finished end products for its child nutrition meal programs. The procurement covers eight cheese and cheese-based food items including cheddar sauce, alfredo sauce, American sliced cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella string cheese, macaroni and cheese, and cheese-filled breadsticks. Proposers must meet strict requirements, including maintaining 98 percent order fulfillment, delivering products to the district's distributor (Sysco Portland), and ensuring products meet USDA specifications with no MSG and compliance with Buy American provisions. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held virtually on December 2, 2025, at 3:00 PM PST, with product samples and documentation due by December 18, 2025. The final proposal deadline is January 29, 2026, at 2:30 PM PST, with proposals to be submitted via email. Evaluation criteria will focus on pricing using a fee-for-service value pass-through method, with the lowest overall price proposal receiving maximum points.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers must provide comprehensive documentation including current health inspection reports, HACCP and food safety protocols, product recall procedures, three professional references, and detailed product documentation. The Master Price Agreement will be effective upon execution through June 30, 2027, with an option to extend the contract for up to four additional one-year terms. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract is subject to federal regulations including 2 CFR 200 and 7 CFR Parts 210-226, with strict compliance requirements for civil rights laws and environmental regulations. Insurance requirements are substantial, including workers' compensation, employer's liability ($1,000,000), comprehensive general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and comprehensive automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit). The total estimated annual demand across all items is approximately 1.6 million Child Nutrition servings, with individual product quantities ranging from 77,552 to 700,000 servings annually.