Coffee, Tea and Related Products

The University of Iowa is seeking qualified suppliers to provide regular coffee, decaf coffee, custom blend coffee, tea, and related products to its Housing and Dining Department through solicitation number 18534, posted on February 27, 2026, with responses due by April 7, 2026. All proposals must be submitted electronically via the university’s eBid system, and no hard copies are accepted. The contract falls under NAICS code 311920, indicating a focus on food manufacturing, and performance is restricted to the University’s locations in Iowa City, Iowa, with all deliveries requiring F.O.B. Destination terms unless otherwise agreed. The scope includes compliance with federal and state regulations governing product labeling under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, hazardous material handling per OSHA and Iowa Administrative Code, and adherence to food safety standards. Contractors must ensure all products meet applicable federal laws including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Consumer Product Safety Act, without specifying detailed quality inspection criteria beyond conformity to specifications or lapse of ten days post-receipt at the University’s dock. The contract imposes strict data security, privacy, and compliance obligations on suppliers, even though the primary deliverables are consumable goods, due to the handling of institutional data during procurement and vendor management. Suppliers must utilize FIPS 140-2 validated encryption for any University data in transit or at rest, notify the University within ten business days of any security incident, disclose all system vulnerabilities, and completely purge all institutional data within thirty days of contract termination. Offshoring of any data processing is prohibited, and contractors must maintain insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000 for general and cyber liability. Additional requirements include adherence to federal civil rights and employment laws, environmental compliance with the Clean Air and Water Acts, and disclosure of any more favorable pricing offered to other institutions or if the contractor becomes debarred. Invoices must be submitted electronically to [email hidden], and no formal contract type is specified, though the structure suggests a requirements or indefinite-delivery arrangement. The University reserves the right to terminate for default and requires indemnification from the contractor for any liabilities arising from performance. Participation is open to all qualified suppliers, with encouragement for small business involvement but no formal set-aside or socioeconomic certifications required for submission.