RFP-2601AM Purchase of School Nutrition Program Food Items and Distribution Services

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the largest school district in Georgia, is soliciting competitive sealed proposals for the purchase of school nutrition program food items and distribution services through RFP-2601AM. The procurement seeks a qualified broadline food distributor capable of providing comprehensive ordering, warehousing, and delivery services for approximately 136 schools participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Required deliverables include entrees, beverages, groceries, produce, dairy, non-food items, chemicals, and USDA Foods commercial equivalents, with vendors expected to handle complete logistical support from procurement to delivery. The evaluation process will be conducted in three phases: Phase I technical scoring (600 points), Phase II cost scoring (200 points), and Phase III interview scoring (100 points), totaling 900 possible points. Key dates include a pre-proposal meeting on January 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST, with questions due by January 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST, and proposals due by January 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST through the Euna Procurement portal. Vendors must submit pricing on a cost-plus fixed distribution fee per case basis, with no percentage-based fees permitted, and the fixed fee must remain firm for the initial contract term.

The contract will be administered through Equalis Group's cooperative purchasing program, making the resulting Master Agreement available to public agencies nationwide without membership fees. A vendor participation fee of $0.40 per case applies to all products sold through the cooperative program. The contract term is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal options for up to four additional one-year periods. GCPS's estimated Year 1 spend from its own operations is approximately $48.5 million, with cooperative program projections potentially reaching $200 million in annual spend by year five. Vendors must comply with comprehensive requirements, including federal regulations, cost-reimbursable contract provisions, and full pass-through of manufacturer discounts and credits. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, vendors must complete various certifications including debarment, lobbying, and insurance requirements. Successful contractors will need to demonstrate robust food safety protocols, including HACCP certification and comprehensive recall procedures, and must be prepared to serve multiple schools across Gwinnett County and potentially other participating public agencies.