Porterville Unified School District Sealed Solicitation

Title: DRY GOODS

Deadline: 6/18/2024 2:00 PM   (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Status: Awarded

Solicitation Number: SN-25-05

Description: Porterville Unified School District is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to supply dry good products for our school cafeteria program. The selected vendor(s) will provide high-quality, dry good items that meet the dietary and nutritional standards set by the USDA and local health regulations. This solicitation covers a variety of dry goods including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals.

Product Specifications:
- All dry  food items must meet USDA standards and guidelines.
- Products should be free from artificial additives, preservatives, and trans fats.
- Items must be individually packaged) to ensure freshness and quality.
- Packaging should be tamper-proof and clearly labeled with nutritional information, ingredients, and expiration dates.

2. Product Categories:
- Dry Fruits: Must be 100% fruit with no added sugars or syrups.
- Dry Vegetables: Must be 100% vegetables with no added sauces or seasoning.
- Dry Meats and Poultry: Must be USDA certified, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free.
- Dry Seafood: Must be sustainably sourced and free from artificial additives.
- Ready-to-Eat Meals: Must be balanced and designed to meet the dietary needs of school-aged children.

3. Delivery Requirements:
- Deliveries may be needed to multiple school locations within the district.
- Deliveries should be scheduled to ensure minimal disruption to school operations. Deliveries allowed from 6:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
- Vendors must provide a reliable delivery schedule with flexibility to accommodate school holidays and closures.
- All delivery vehicles must comply with local and state health and safety regulations for transporting perishable goods.

4. Vendor Qualifications:
- Vendors must have a proven track record of supplying high-quality frozen foods to educational institution.
- Vendors must provide references from at least three other school districts or similar institutions upon request.
- Vendors must demonstrate the capability to meet the volume and variety requirements of the district.

5. Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Detailed description of all products offered, including nutritional information and ingredient lists.
- Pricing per unit for each product category, including any volume discounts.
- Description of the vendor’s quality control measures and food safety protocols.
- Proof of insurance and relevant certifications (e.g., USDA, HACCP).
- Contact information for key personnel responsible for the account.

6. Evaluation Criteria:
- Compliance with product specifications and scope of work.
- Quality and nutritional value of the products offered.
- Adherence to requested proffered brands or qualified equal. When bidding alternate brand samples must be submitted for consideration
- Competitive pricing and potential cost savings.
- Vendor’s experience and references.
- Reliability and flexibility of the delivery schedule.


Documents:

Documents as of 5/28/2024
Bid_Legal_Notice_SY_24_25.docx.pdf
Bid_FAQs.pdf
Dry_Goods_Solicitation_SN_25_05.xlsx
2024_2025_Bid_Documents.pdf
Bid_Specification.pdf
Addition 1

Posted: 6/13/2024

Type of Addition: Addendum

Overview: Anyone wanting to submit samples for consideration may do so until June 18, 2024 by 3:00 pm. 

Addition 2

Posted: 6/21/2024

Type of Addition: In Review

Overview: Thank you for you bid submission, all sealed bids have been opened and are currently under review. Bid awards will be send to Porterville Unified School Board for approval and approved tabulations will be available for public view by 7/10/2024.

Addition 3

Posted: 7/11/2024

Type of Addition: Award Information

Documents:

Addition 4

Posted: 7/11/2024

Type of Addition: Award Information

Documents:

Question 1

Posted: 5/31/2024

Question: The bid asks for delivered pricing. Not knowing order volume we are unable to know LTL shipping costs. Can we bid F.O.B. our facility? Porterville currently doesn't use the redistributor DOT Foods. We are able to quote a DOT delivered price. Would that be an option?

Response: Unfortunately we would need quotes based on the estimated usages provided. Thank you

Question 2

Posted: 6/6/2024

Question: Hello, My question relates to the Suspension and Debarment certification and Certification Regarding Lobbying. It is my understanding that since we do not expect our contract values to exceed $100,000, we don't need to submit these certifications along with our Bid. Please confirm. We have not made any payments to any lobbying entities and hence, we do not need to submit Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form either. Please confirm. Thanks Partha Sabniviss

Response: If you believe you do not need to submit the debarment certification then please follow your company standards If you have not made any lobying purchases you can state zero on your documents being submitted.

Question 3

Posted: 6/14/2024

Question: My question is about the bullet point (L) under general conditions. I have copy pasted this condition below for your reference. Time of delivery shall be stated as the number of calendar days following receipt of the order by the vendor, to the receipt of the goods or services by the School District. Time of delivery may be a consideration in the award. Question - where do I specify the Time of delivery? I do not see any space provided on any form to specify the Time of Delivery? Let me know. My second question - are samples mandatory?

Response: Samples are only mandatory when a preferred brand is specified and and a vendor is wanting to bid an alternate brand. Delivery times are set for our district. We accept deliveries from 6 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday during regular scheduled school days

Posted: 6/13/2024

Type of Addition: Addendum

Overview: Anyone wanting to submit samples for consideration may do so until June 18, 2024 by 3:00 pm. 

Posted: 6/21/2024

Type of Addition: In Review

Overview: Thank you for you bid submission, all sealed bids have been opened and are currently under review. Bid awards will be send to Porterville Unified School Board for approval and approved tabulations will be available for public view by 7/10/2024.

Posted: 7/11/2024

Type of Addition: Award Information

Documents:

Posted: 7/11/2024

Type of Addition: Award Information

Documents:

Posted: 5/31/2024

Question: The bid asks for delivered pricing. Not knowing order volume we are unable to know LTL shipping costs. Can we bid F.O.B. our facility? Porterville currently doesn't use the redistributor DOT Foods. We are able to quote a DOT delivered price. Would that be an option?

Response: Unfortunately we would need quotes based on the estimated usages provided. Thank you

Posted: 6/6/2024

Question: Hello, My question relates to the Suspension and Debarment certification and Certification Regarding Lobbying. It is my understanding that since we do not expect our contract values to exceed $100,000, we don't need to submit these certifications along with our Bid. Please confirm. We have not made any payments to any lobbying entities and hence, we do not need to submit Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form either. Please confirm. Thanks Partha Sabniviss

Response: If you believe you do not need to submit the debarment certification then please follow your company standards If you have not made any lobying purchases you can state zero on your documents being submitted.

Posted: 6/14/2024

Question: My question is about the bullet point (L) under general conditions. I have copy pasted this condition below for your reference. Time of delivery shall be stated as the number of calendar days following receipt of the order by the vendor, to the receipt of the goods or services by the School District. Time of delivery may be a consideration in the award. Question - where do I specify the Time of delivery? I do not see any space provided on any form to specify the Time of Delivery? Let me know. My second question - are samples mandatory?

Response: Samples are only mandatory when a preferred brand is specified and and a vendor is wanting to bid an alternate brand. Delivery times are set for our district. We accept deliveries from 6 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday during regular scheduled school days