Food, Frozen - Distributor Direct to Warehouse

Project ID: RFP 26-013 State|LocalOpportunities

Overview

Agency	Little Rock School District [AR]
Deadline	05/15/26
Posted	04/14/26
Estimated Value	$500,000 - $2,000,000 (AI estimate)
Set Aside	Not Provided
NAICS	Not Provided
PSC	Not Provided
Location	Arkansas

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

The Little Rock School District invites your bid on Food, Frozen - Distributor Direct to Warehouse The complete request for proposal is available online at https://lrsd.ionwave.net. Interested Proposers must register at this site to submit a proposal electronically. This is the required method of submission. Proposals will be taken under advisement upon opening, and the successful bidder will be notified as soon as possible after evaluation by the District. Questions regarding this RFP are to be submitted in writing via Ionwave under the questions tab by the deadline of May 12, 2026, 3:30 PM. All questions received and the corresponding answers will be posted publicly for all vendors. No verbal responses will be provided. District will not respond to questions after this time and date. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ All proposals must be submitted no later than May 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Any proposal submitted in any format after this deadline may be rejected. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROPOSAL EVALUATION

The District reserves the right to reject any or all RFPs and waive any irregularities or formalities in any solicitation or RFP responses. Price alone may not be the determining factor. 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 Child Nutrition Department will negotiate, as appropriate, with the apparent acceptable offerer. The proposal deemed to be the most practical and advantageous will receive major consideration. The proposed costs, fee or expense, will weigh heavily in the award of any resulting contract but will not necessarily be the determining factor. The Child Nutrition Department intends to review all proposals. The Child Nutrition Department will utilize but not be limited to the following criteria in reviewing proposals received: 1. Quality of submitted samples 2. Company profile (geographical preference and number of years in business) 3. Pricing 4. References 5. Rebates 6. Proof of local production or sourcing 7. Overall responsiveness (Signed Davis Bacon Act, Rights to Inventions, Clean Air Act and other required documents). Bidders will be required to submit samples on items identified in RFP document as requiring a sample. All items must be peanut free and processed at a peanut free facility. The following procedures must be completed prior to RFP opening. Product Samples Vendors shall submit the following minimum quantity to qualify for product sampling. (1) Frozen Vegetables 1 carton/bag. (2-5#) from case of product (2) Frozen Grain-Bread Products 1 bag or serving of product (3) Frozen Fruit/Treats 1 container from case of product (4) Frozen Entr e Bulk-packed product or individually wrapped 1 Case sample must be submitted for review. CN label must be clearly identified on all boxes of processed meats and meat products. (5) Staples/Frozen As specified per item pack size (1 bag, 1 box or 1 serving of product) Bidders must register samples at the LRSD Child Nutrition Department office in a book provided for that purpose. If samples are provided prior to the issuing of the BID, samples do NOT need to be provided again. If shipped after the BID issuance, register samples via email to childnutrition@lrsd.org, listing the items being sent. Samples are to be furnished without cost to the LRSD Child Nutrition Office at 1501 Jones Street Little Rock AR, 72202 by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to RFP opening. All samples must include: Product Information, Product Analysis, and CN Label or Product Formulation Statement. Any questions regarding samples should be directed to the Procurement Specialist at (501) 447-2463. The Child Nutrition Department reserves the right to award by line item or all-or-none, whichever is most advantageous to the Child Nutrition Department. See Special Terms and Conditions (Attachments Tab), for procedures regarding submittals for the proposal. Samples provided prior to the issuance of the proposal do not need to be resubmitted. ALL PROJECTED USAGE IS IN CASES UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE. PURCHASE VOLUME TO BE DETERMINED AFTER ENROLLMENT IS ESTABLISHED. AWARDED VENDORS WILL BE NOTIFIED AS TO AMOUNTS TO BE PURCHASED. Price per case listed in 2 decimal places only. Electronic Bids are the required method of submission.

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Little Rock School District is seeking bids for the supply of frozen food products directly to their warehouse. This initiative is part of their commitment to provide nutritious meals to students in accordance with USDA Child Nutrition Program Meal Pattern Requirements. The goal of this contract is to ensure that the district can procure high-quality, compliant food products that meet specific dietary standards. Work Details The contract involves the provision of various frozen food items, including but not limited to: 1. Frozen Vegetables - 1 carton/bag (2-5#) from case of product. 2. Frozen Grain-Bread Products - 1 bag or serving of product. 3. Frozen Fruit/Treats - 1 container from case of product. 4. Frozen Entrée - Bulk-packed product or individually wrapped – 1 Case sample must be submitted for review. CN label must be clearly identified on all boxes of processed meats and meat products. 5. Staples/Frozen – As specified per item pack size (1 bag, 1 box or 1 serving of product). All items must be peanut-free and processed at a peanut-free facility. Bidders are required to submit samples for evaluation, and all items must comply with USDA guidelines regarding nutritional content and labeling. Period of Performance The contract will commence upon award and will continue for a period determined by the district based on enrollment and needs, with an initial proposal submission deadline set for May 15, 2026. Place of Performance The primary location for performance will be the Little Rock School District's Child Nutrition Office located at 1501 Jones Street, Little Rock, AR 72202. Bidder Requirements Bidders must comply with specific certifications including Buy American compliance, submission of product analysis documentation, and proof of local production or sourcing. Additionally, bidders must provide references and ensure that all products meet the USDA Child Nutrition Program Meal Pattern Requirements.

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