26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50199 | SBE: IFB for Purchase of IL Local Ground Beef

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued solicitation 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50199 as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement, processing, and delivery of locally sourced ground beef for Illinois schools. The contract is valued at approximately 3 million dollars and is awarded to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder, with the possibility of awards to multiple vendors. To qualify as local, the beef must be derived from cattle raised on farms or ranches within Illinois and processed at a USDA-inspected or equivalent State Meat and Poultry Inspection facility also located within the state. Product specifications require 100 percent pure, hormone-free beef graded as Prime or Choice, with a fat content of 85/15 or leaner. The contractor is responsible for transporting the frozen product, maintained at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, to a designated state warehouse in Granite City, Illinois. Deliveries are scheduled in three phases between January and May 2026, with a final mandatory delivery deadline of June 15, 2026. Key requirements include the submission of a preliminary supply chain list identifying all involved farms and processing facilities, as well as estimated delivery reports five business days prior to each shipment. All products must bear official federal or state marks of inspection. Bidders must submit their proposals electronically via BidBuy, including required vendor disclosures and certifications, and maintain bid validity for 180 days from the opening date.