Vending services

Northshore School District No. 417, serving areas in King and Snohomish Counties, Washington, is seeking proposals for comprehensive vending services across 36 schools serving over 22,000 students. The Request for Proposal (RFP# 2025-05-15) requires a vendor to replace approximately 49 existing vending machines, with specific requirements including supplying USDA smart-snack compliant items, machine maintenance, installation, relocation services, commission tracking, and machine removal at contract end. Proposals are due on May 15, 2025, by 10:00 AM, with an initial contract term from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028, and potential annual renewals thereafter. The evaluation criteria will allocate 100 points across several categories: product pricing (30 points), commission/rebate percentages (25 points), product evaluation and variety (20 points), customer history/experience (15 points), and overall proposal quality (10 points), with an additional potential 10 points for interviews. Bidders must have a minimum of three years of vending experience, preferably in K-12 environments, and provide references from comparable accounts.

The vending services contract has no direct expense to the district, with vendors providing machines and products. There are no specific set-aside designations mentioned for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract requires vendors to have multiple payment method capabilities and anticipates involving secondary school ASB student representatives in the evaluation process. Vendors must complete several mandatory certifications, including a Debarment and Anti-Lobbying Certification, Wage Theft Prevention Certification, and provide comprehensive company references. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability with a $1,000,000 per occurrence limit. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the contract covers vending services across 36 schools, suggesting a substantial opportunity for the selected vendor. The district emphasizes compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including non-discrimination laws and wage regulations, and requires vendors to provide additional insured status to Northshore School District.