Dairy Standards Government Bids & RFPs

The bid notice states evaluations will be based upon past performance, socio economic status, overall price and delivery schedule. greater emphasis will be placed upon past performance and delivery schedule.

The bid notice states due to numerous items that have attempted delivery with expired dates or not meeting specifications, etc. . . . , we will document those items and you will be listed on a do not award list for the following quarter. meaning if you submit a bid on future solicitations and you have past performance issues the entire bid will be void.

The bid notice states that all proposals must be submitted no later than May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT. Any proposal submitted in any format after this deadline may be rejected.

The bid notice states that awards will be based upon those considerations which are in the best interest of the district and will be made to the responsive, responsible offerer whose RFP is judged to be the most effective and economical for the purpose intended, according to the requirements stated in this request for proposal. This RFP will be awarded to the lowest responsible, responsive and reputable bidder meeting specifications and evaluation criteria.

The bid notice requires vendors to submit nutritional analysis statements for each item bid, two references with company name, address, and contact information, a company profile, proposal assurance and disclosure (must be notarized), Buy American compliance, product analysis documentation, and child nutrition labels or product formulation statements.

The bid notice states that samples provided prior to the issuance of the proposal do not need to be resubmitted.

The bid notice states that all products must be delivered in clean, odor-free, and sturdy cases, and dairy and juice products with less than seven days shelf life will not be accepted. Additionally, replacement of damaged goods must take place within 24 hours of initial delivery.

The bid notice states that bids will be calculated by extending the quoted price by the estimated volume requested and award will be made on the basis of low total. In the event there is a tie of low bids or other complications which may arise, the bids will be referred to the food service director for recommendation of award, based upon quality of the product, labeled net weight, service preferences, location of the processing plant, or any other distinguishing factor felt to be a valid consideration.

The bid notice states that all bidders must have a written HACCP plan and working HACCP procedures in place at the time of bid submission. Written HACCP plans must be provided to the Columbus City Schools, Director of Food Services, upon request. Unannounced inspections by a representative of Columbus City Schools Food Service of all facilities used by the successful bidder must be permitted.

The bid notice states that 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.

The bid notice states that unannounced inspections by a representative of Columbus City Schools Food Service of all facilities used by the successful bidder must be permitted.

The bid notice states that if you are submitting other than the preferred brand you must provide a sample by April 23, 2026, 12:00 PM. It also states that samples and testing at the discretion of the buyer, representative samples may be required for testing by the food service department in which case the bidder will be so notified.

The bid notice states that the deadline for submitting questions is 12:00 PM on April 30, 2026.

The bid notice mentions ot-later-than delivery date in the context of timely performance certification, but a specific overall delivery deadline for this bid is not explicitly stated. The bid notice states, all products required under any existing usda contracts purchase orders or subcontracts with a not-later-than delivery date prior to this bid opening.

The bid notice states that items will be awarded in increments of truckload sizes.

The bid notice requires offerors to complete certifications, including timely performance certification and potentially HUBZone small business price evaluation preference. It also provides North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes and business size standards for the products and/or services to be acquired.

The responses regarding this request for information (RFI) are requested back by the close of business on April 9, 2026.

The agency intends to make one award per group after soliciting.

The offerors distance from the delivery location is very important. The offeror must be capable of delivering products to arrive at the delivery location the same day for emergency orders if necessary. Commercial standards should be used to maintain temperatures appropriate for the individual items. When proposing in response to a solicitation, failure to propose the specified quality requirement per item as identified above may render an offeror's proposal technically unacceptable.