SY 27 Jones County Schools - Papergoods Bid

This procurement opportunity represents an Invitation for Bid (IFB #PP27) issued by Jones County School District in Georgia for paper products and related food service supplies to support the School Nutrition Program across seven school locations in Gray and Macon, Georgia. The solicitation encompasses 64 line items of disposable food service products including aluminum foil, plastic aprons, paper bags, food trays, cups and lids in various sizes, napkins, utensils, takeout containers, and specialty items such as bento boxes and chopsticks, along with a separate bid for Smartmouth brand pizza boxes (250 cases of 6-pound capacity units). Estimated annual quantities vary significantly by item, ranging from zero to 474 units, with all products specified to particular manufacturers and product numbers to ensure standardization. Deliveries must be made via F.O.B. freight in well-maintained refrigerated trucks where applicable to the designated school sites. The bid solicitation was issued on April 28, 2026, with a written questions deadline of May 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., and bids due on May 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., followed by bid opening on May 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options for extension up to three additional months at the same pricing and renewal options for up to four additional one-year terms based on vendor performance. Bidders must submit firm fixed pricing valid for 365 days from contract award, with subsequent price adjustments limited to semi-annual requests supported by verified third-party market data such as USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports or Consumer Price Index publications, and all prices must include packing, transportation, and delivery charges with no separate fuel surcharges permitted.

Vendors responding to this solicitation must comply with the Buy American provision for food products, maintain HACCP plans with recall procedures and 24/7 accessibility, carry liability insurance with minimum coverage limits of $500,000, and utilize E-Verify for workforce authorization verification. The district reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids and may award to single or multiple vendors as deemed in the School Food Authority's best interest, with the contract anticipated to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder within approximately 60 days of bid opening, contingent upon available budget funds and School Board approval. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are explicitly mentioned in the available solicitation documents, and no incumbent vendor information is provided. The School Food Authority anticipates awarding the contract based on lowest cost evaluation, as indicated by the sealed bid process structure. Specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the solicitation materials; however, the estimated quantities and multi-year contract potential with renewal options suggest a significant annual procurement value for the school district's food service operations. Note that a cancellation notice (CANCELLED.pdf) was also posted on May 1, 2026, indicating that the initial Fiscal Year 27 posting was cancelled due to incorrect fiscal year designation, suggesting vendors should verify current solicitation status and any corrected repostings.