IFB - CN 2026-27 Commercial Food Bid

The Washington County School District is soliciting bids for the 2026-27 school year to secure weekly delivery of food items supporting its Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program across 36 school sites. This Invitation for Bid (IFB) requires vendors to submit comprehensive pricing for all line items, with partial bids considered non-responsive unless waived at the District’s discretion. The contract term begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2027, with an option to renew annually for up to four additional years, subject to performance and mutual agreement. Deliveries must occur weekly before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to designated school locations and the central warehouse in St. George, Utah, with strict adherence to cold chain integrity, USDA and FDA food safety standards, and Utah HB 402 restrictions on synthetic additives like Red 40 and titanium dioxide. All products must bear Child Nutrition Labels and Product Formulation Statements for meal crediting and allergen compliance, and must meet Buy American requirements with at least 51% U.S.-grown or processed content, with non-domestic content capped at 10% during the contract term. Evaluation of proposals is based on a best-value trade-off model totaling 100% weighted score, with price accounting for 40%, followed by product quality and freshness at 20%, delivery capability at 15%, vendor references and past performance at 10%, compliance with bid requirements at 10%, and responsiveness to Buy American provisions at 5%. The lowest price does not automatically win; the District seeks the optimal balance of cost and non-cost factors. Bidders must submit certifications regarding debarment and suspension, anti-lobbying activities, Utah HB 402 compliance, and Buy American status, with any affirmative responses triggering mandatory disclosures or exception requests. Failure to deliver ordered items may result in the District procuring substitutes elsewhere, with the original vendor liable for cost differences. Vendors must maintain HACCP and bioterrorism preparedness plans, have documented recall procedures, and retain all records for four years for audit purposes. No subcontracting or assignment of obligations is permitted without prior approval. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the BONFIRE portal by June 15, 2026, with no exceptions for late, faxed, or emailed submissions. Inspection and acceptance occur at the delivery