This is an Invitation to Bid (ITB) from the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) for the supply of fresh, processed, and precut produce for twelve schools for the **** fiscal year. The electronic bid submission deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 a. m. CST. Specifications and qualification documents can be obtained from the district's website. All questions regarding the ITB must be directed in writing to the Executive Director of Procurement at ***@***. *. * by 12:00 p. m. CST on Friday, May 15, 2026. Addenda will be issued by Monday, May 18, 2026. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder that meets or exceeds the specifications. The contract term is one year with an option to renew for two additional one-year periods. Deliveries are to be made to various designated locations within ten operating days of request. Bidders must comply with federal regulations, including the Buy American provision and equal employment opportunity requirements. The OPSB reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
The bid submission deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 a. m. CST. Deliveries are to be made within ten operating days of request, between 7:00 a. m. and 2:00 p. m. , Monday through Friday, unless otherwise requested. The contract period is effective from the date of the purchase order through June 30, 2027.
Invoices will be paid based upon receipt of material or properly executed invoice, whichever is later. Payment will be made on the basis of the unit price listed in the blanket order. Partial payments may be made even if not all items have been delivered.
Awards will be made to the responsible vendors whose proposals are determined after evaluation by NOLAPS to be the best value to NOLAPS. The bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder that meets or exceeds the specifications/scope of work outlined in the bid documents.
To qualify for evaluation, a proposal must have been submitted sealed and on time and must materially satisfy all mandatory requirements identified in this document. A responsible vendor is a vendor who has adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain such resources, can comply with the delivery requirements, and is a qualified and established firm regularly engaged in the type of business that provides the items listed herein.
If the bidder fails to meet the requirements or to deliver articles within the time specified, the board reserves the right to obtain the articles from any other person or firm at such price as may be charged without competitive bids. The difference between the price paid and the contract price shall be deducted from the following or any subsequent payment to the contractor.
All visitors to NOLAPS are required to check in at the lobby receptionist desk and to wear a mask if required. There is no explicit mention of a mandatory or optional site visit for bidders.
When called for, samples shall be submitted with the bid per instructions set forth in the special terms and conditions if applicable. Additional samples needed for a bid to be evaluated properly shall be delivered within 5 business days from the time the proposer is notified by the purchasing department. Sample items from the successful proposer may be retained for the purpose of determining that the quality and workmanship of the delivered items are comparable to the sample.
If any proposer who submitted a proposal has an objection to the award of the contract to the selected proposer, the objecting proposer shall furnish that protest, in writing, to the executive director of procurement or designee within ten 10 business days of the notification of nonaward.
The anticipated total value of this bid is unknown, due to post covid-19 price escalations, and current national trade conflicts. Therefore, the Orleans Parish School Board shall not be held to previous estimated dollar values, for total purchases in relation to this bid.
