Serving Counters FY2025

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, has issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 008-DW-1225 for serving counters across seven school sites for fiscal year 2025, including Bartow Senior High, Dundee Elementary, Kathleen Elementary, Lakeland Senior High, North Lakeland Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, and Sandhill Elementary. The procurement focuses on acquiring new food service equipment such as cold units, hot tops, sneeze guards, tray stands, and cashier stations, with specific color and dimensional requirements for each location. Bidders must provide equipment that meets Underwriters Laboratories and National Sanitation Foundation standards, with all items to be new and in manufacturer's packaging. The electronic bid submissions are due by March 25, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET, with a contract period beginning approximately April 23, 2025. The district will handle installation internally, and the procurement is structured as a composite (all or none) award, with price being the primary determining factor for vendor selection. Pricing must include all fees and charges, with delivery to the Lake Hamilton Warehouse in Winter Haven, Florida, and the district reserves the right to purchase varying quantities of items.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though several standard federal compliance forms are required, including Buy American Provision, Civil Rights Compliance, and Debarment and Suspension certifications. The bid tabulation reveals four vendors submitted proposals: Johnson-Lancaster and Associates Inc., Strategic Equipment LLC, Stafford-Smith, Inc., and Big Bend Restaurant Supply, with total bid values ranging from $865,654.65 to $911,014.61. Johnson-Lancaster and Associates Inc. was ultimately recommended for award, with Strategic Equipment LLC submitting the lowest total bid of $865,654.65. The contract opportunity emphasizes comprehensive documentation requirements, including certifications of independent pricing, conflict of interest statements, and drug-free workplace documentation. The procurement is funded through USDA's National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, with a strong emphasis on domestic product sourcing and comprehensive non-discrimination standards across federal civil rights laws.