Storage of USDA Commodity Products

The South Dakota Department of Education's Division of Child and Adult Nutrition Services is seeking a qualified vendor to provide professional storage services for USDA Commodity Products through a Request for Proposal (RFP #25RFP16364). The contract will cover storage and management of approximately 2.2 million pounds of food products annually, with a composition of 54% dry, 43% frozen, and 3% refrigerated items for various food distribution programs including the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program. The selected consultant will be responsible for providing secure, clean storage space with electronic tracking systems, handling food distribution, maintaining inventory records, and ensuring compliance with federal food safety regulations. The vendor must pick, stage, and deliver donated foods to eligible recipient agencies, with invoicing conducted on a weekly or monthly basis using an all-inclusive fixed price based on case weight and storage days. The proposal is due by September 29, 2025, with the initial contract period running from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026, and potential for four additional one-year renewals. Interested vendors must direct all inquiries to Rochelle Kenzy at Rochelle.Kenzy@state.sd.us, with a strict protocol prohibiting contact with other state employees during the solicitation process.

The procurement includes specific compliance requirements, notably the mandatory Exhibit C Certification regarding Prohibited Entities, which restricts vendors ultimately owned or controlled by foreign nationals from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba, or Venezuela. Vendors must complete a Substitute W-9 form and provide comprehensive taxpayer identification details as part of the submission process. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the state requires detailed documentation of qualifications and experience. The state will cover storage and handling costs for public schools using available state and federal funds, with the consultant responsible for collecting costs from non-public schools and agencies in the Summer Food Service Program. The contract requires the vendor to have robust electronic tracking systems, proper food handling capabilities, and the ability to manage complex distribution logistics across multiple agency types. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the annual volume of 2.2 million pounds of food products suggests a significant operational contract with potential for substantial financial compensation based on storage and handling services.