USDA Commodity Processing for Child Nutrition

Northside Independent School District (NISD), the fourth largest public school system in Texas, is seeking sealed bids for USDA Commodity Processing for Child Nutrition services through RFP 2026-043. The procurement aims to secure commercial and commodity-processed food products for the 2026-2027 school year, with contract dates spanning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Vendors must provide USDA commodity products with 100% domestic origin, specifically ensuring meat and protein products are processed and packed in the United States. The proposal requires vendors to submit bids via the Bonfire Portal by Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM Central Time, with samples to be delivered within five working days of notification. Evaluation criteria for vendor selection include purchase price (35%), quality of goods (15%), alignment with district needs (20%), total long-term cost (10%), vendor reputation (5%), impact on historically underutilized businesses (5%), and other relevant factors (10%). The district intends to award contracts to multiple vendors across different product categories based on best value, with vendors allowed to bid on one product per line item and multiple flavors within the same line.

The procurement includes provisions for potential disadvantaged business participation, with 5% of evaluation criteria specifically allocated to impact on historically underutilized businesses. The contract allows for district discretion in renewal, with options for two additional one-year terms and a potential 90-day transitional period. Vendors must maintain an approved Texas contract for USDA commodity processing and demonstrate compliance with federal regulations, domestic sourcing requirements, and nutritional crediting documentation standards. Penalty provisions are strict, including a $500 per day charge for delayed deliveries and vendor responsibility for product replacements and shipping costs in case of recalls. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the procurement covers multiple product categories for a large school district, suggesting a potentially significant contract value. Pricing must be firm, delivered as less-than-truckload quotes with specified minimums, and tailored to two possible District warehouse locations. Payment terms are net thirty days from invoice receipt, with potential consideration for cash discounts during bid evaluation.