USDA Commodity Processing - Commercial Direct Ship

Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 008-25 for USDA Commodity Processing - Commercial Direct Ship, seeking a vendor to supply processed meat and dairy products for its school nutrition program serving approximately 53,000 students. The procurement involves 44 line items of food products including beef, chicken, turkey, and cheese, with estimated quantities ranging from 450 to 20,000 cases. Vendors must provide fully cooked, portion-controlled products that comply with Buy American provisions, requiring at least 51% of agricultural components to be domestically sourced. The initial contract term is one year with potential for two additional one-year renewals, commencing within ten calendar days after the Notice to Proceed and terminating on June 30th of each contract year. Bidders are required to submit detailed pricing, nutrition fact sheets, and product samples, with a pre-bid conference held virtually on June 24, 2025, and all questions due by July 8, 2025. Electronic bid submissions must be completed through the Bonfire Public Portal by July 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM EDT, with vendors expected to have a minimum of three years of experience providing similar services to comparably sized school districts.

The solicitation includes a Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program with a 15% participation goal, encouraging local and regional businesses to compete. Vendors must complete SLBE forms and submit an E-Verify Affidavit, with electronic signatures acceptable for documentation. The procurement allows for one primary award but reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award at all. Pricing structure is complex, requiring vendors to list commercial costs, Fee-For-Service (FFS) pricing, and Net Off Invoice (NOI) values, with transparency expected in calculating unit prices and accounting for donated food value. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the bid indicates that manufacturers will ship directly to the CCPS Facilities Services Warehouse without going through distributors. The procurement emphasizes strict compliance with food safety protocols, nutritional requirements, and CN labeling, with potential bidders including companies like Tyson Foods, Gold Star Foods, and International Food Solutions. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the extensive product list and service requirements suggest a significant annual procurement value for the school district.