This is a public tender notice from Columbus City Schools for food products. Vendors must submit bids through Public Purchase and bid on all items to avoid disqualification. Vendor questions must be submitted by April 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST. The bid term is from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027, with potential for two 12-month extensions. Award will be based on a market basket for all items, considering department nutrition standards, total dollar amount, quality, and service. Successful bidders must supply all products for the duration of the bid agreement and have a written HACCP plan. Deliveries are to be made to the food service production center and 40 on-site kitchen locations. Damaged goods are subject to refusal and must be replaced within 24 hours. Products must be whole grain rich and of current season's pack with a minimum of seven days expiration after delivery. Federal regulations regarding domestic origin for child nutrition programs must be adhered to, with exceptions for specific products. Columbus City School District is committed to utilizing locally grown, raised, and/or processed food items from Ohio. Routine microbiological testing will be performed on delivered products. Standard orders should be delivered within 48 hours. Invoices must be provided at the time of delivery, and monthly statements are required.
The bid term is from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027, with potential for two 12-month extensions. The term of this bid shall be August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027. If agreed by the successful bidder and Columbus City Schools, up to two additional period extensions of 12 months, thus terminating services on either July 31, 2028 or July 31, 2029, depending on the extensions exercised.
The bid notice does not explicitly state payment terms, but mentions that Time payment discounts will not be considered when awarding bids.
The award of this bid will be based on a market basket for all listed items, considering department nutrition standards, total dollar amount, quality, and service. Successful bids will be awarded based on department nutrition standards, total dollar amount, quality, and service.
All bidders must have a written HACCP plan and working HACCP procedures in place at the time of bid submission. All bidders must have a written haccp plan and working haccp procedures in place at the time of bid submission.
Failure of the successful bidder to deliver products in a timely manner may result in the cancellation of part or all of the bid agreement. Failure of the successful bidder to deliver products in a timely manner may, at the discretion of the Columbus City Schools Director of Food Services, result in the cancellation of part or all of the bid agreement.
Unannounced inspections by a representative of Columbus City Schools Food Service of all facilities used by the successful bidder must be permitted. Unannounced inspection s by a representative of Columbus City Schools food service of all facilities used by the successful bidder must be permitted.
Upon request by a representative of Columbus City Schools, the successful bidder must provide samples of product bid. Upon request by a representative of Columbus City Schools, the successful bidder must provide samples of product s bid.
The deadline for vendor questions is April 30, 2026. The deadline for vendor questions is 12:00 p. m. est on April 30, 2026.
