SY2025-2026 Produce Vendor Certifications & Licenses

The Laredo Independent School District (LISD) is seeking to establish a pre-qualified list of produce vendors for the school years 2025-2026, specifically targeting weekly produce procurement for student meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The procurement requires potential vendors to submit comprehensive documentation, including specific licenses and certifications such as City Food License, Texas Health Food Establishment License, USDA PACA License, and Food Handler's Certification. Vendors must comply with the USDA Buy America Provision, which mandates that all food products are either produced in the United States or processed substantially using U.S.-produced agricultural commodities. The bid process involves submitting detailed price per unit information, country of origin documentation, and adherence to strict delivery requirements, including deliveries between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on specified dates. Key evaluation criteria include product quality standards, which require good flavor, uniform size, and absence of defects, with the district reserving the right to award to multiple vendors and adjust quantities as needed. The response deadline is September 30, 2025, and vendors must submit their documentation through the district's Bonfire Portal.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the vendor packet includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification form. Vendors must complete extensive documentation, including a W-9, criminal history record information certification, conflict of interest questionnaire, and Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295). The district requires vendors to comply with various legislative bills, including House Bill 89, Senate Bill 252, and Senate Bill 13, which include provisions about boycotts, energy companies, and business interactions. While no specific award value is explicitly stated, the weekly produce bidding process suggests a potentially significant ongoing contract opportunity for qualified vendors. Vendors must provide company IDs for workers and may be disqualified for failing to submit required documentation. The district maintains a 30-day net payment policy and will not be responsible for items delivered without a Purchase Order. Potential vendors should carefully review the comprehensive requirements in the attached documents, particularly the Federal Certifications and Vendor Packet, to ensure full compliance with all procurement guidelines.