SY 27 Jones County Schools, Fresh Produce Bid

Jones County School District in Georgia (operating as the School Food Authority) is soliciting sealed bids for the procurement of fresh produce supplies to support its School Nutrition Program across seven school locations, including one high school, two middle schools, and four elementary schools. This Invitation for Bid (IFB #PR27) seeks qualified vendors to supply 70 line items of fresh fruits, vegetables, and salad products, all specified to Royal brand standards, with estimated quantities ranging from zero to 595 cases depending on the item. Deliverables include comprehensive fresh produce supplies such as apples (multiple varieties), bananas, berries, leafy greens, carrots, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, melons, grapes, and kiwis, with all pricing to include packing and transportation to specified delivery locations without separate fuel surcharges. Vendors must possess HACCP plans for food safety and traceability, maintain liability insurance coverage with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence, and comply with federal and state procurement standards, debarment verification requirements, and non-discrimination regulations. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with provisions for extension up to three months at the same bid pricing and renewal options based on mutual written agreement and vendor performance. Written questions must be submitted by May 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., sealed bids are due May 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at 125 Stewart Avenue, Gray, Georgia 31032, and bids will be opened publicly the same day at 2:00 p.m., with award expected within approximately 60 days of bid opening. All bid prices must remain firm for 365 days from the contract award date, with semi-annual escalation or de-escalation adjustments permitted thereafter based on verified third-party market publications such as USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports or Consumer Price Index data.

The solicitation contains a Buy American provision requiring that all produce be domestic commodities or products processed in the United States using at least 51 percent domestically-grown agricultural components. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, small businesses, or other designated groups are referenced in the provided documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. Payment terms specify that invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt following inspection and acceptance of goods. The School Food Authority reserves the right to award the contract to a single or multiple vendors and may accept or reject any or all bids at its discretion. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available documentation, though the estimated quantities for individual line items provide indicators of procurement scale, with notably high volumes for items such as bananas (595 cases), white grapes (105 cases), and kiwis (202 cases).