Food Standards Government Bids & RFPs

The RFP responses are due by May 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM EST. The state anticipates the start date for such contracts will be May 27, 2026.

Payment terms are net 30 days from the date the state receives an error-free invoice with all necessary and complete supporting documentation. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments, provided they are in effect for 30 days or more.

The manufacturer shall include with its proposal a written warranty for each product that it intends to furnish. Warranties must be based on commercial use and shall extend for a minimum term of one year from the date a product is available for use by the purchaser; however, longer term warranties are desirable and will be given favorable consideration.

Awards will be made under the provisions of 29 V. S. A. 903. The state may award one or more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders at any time if such award is deemed to be in the best interest of the state. All other considerations being equal, preference will be given to resident bidders of the state and/or products raised or manufactured in the state, purchase of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States, and bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change.

Bidders must provide details concerning their form of business organization, company size and resources, and describe their capabilities and particular experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. They must also identify the names of all subcontractors they intend to use, the portions of the work the subcontractors will perform, and address the background and experience of the subcontractors. References from at least three companies with whom they have transacted similar business in the last 12 months are required.

The bid notice does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance or default, but it does state that untimely submission of a sample may constitute grounds for rejection of bid or cancellation of the contract, and that products not meeting standards will be returned to the contractor for credit at no charge to the state.

The commissioner reserves the right to request from the bidder/contractor a representative sample of the product offered at any time prior to or after award of a contract. Samples must be submitted free of charge and be accompanied by the bidder's name and address, any descriptive literature relating to the product, and a statement indicating how and where the sample is to be returned.

The bid notice states that any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation or wishing to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no later than the deadline for questions indicated on the first page of this solicitation (April 29, 2026). Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last day of the question period are thereafter waived.

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.