Summary of Specifications:
This solicitation covers the specific processing required to turn donated USDA food commodities into the products listed. The processed products are needed for the period beginning August 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. As this RFP is for processing donated commodities, most commodity items may be awarded to one vendor by donated product category, with the award going to the vendor with the aggregate low price for all items bid in that category. Responders must be on the State of Florida approved USDA Food Processor list in order to submit a proposal. Proposals will not be accepted, nor will commodity processing orders be placed with any proposing firm not listed on the State of Florida approved USDA Food Processor’s list. Proposals will not be accepted from any third party on behalf of a processor. If offering a brand and/or product OTHER THAN ONE OF THE PREAPPROVED BRANDS LISTED, make a notation in the comments section for that item. If you offer a product that is not preapproved in this RFP, you must send a sample for review by Friday, December 11, 2015, 12:00 PM, CST. Failure to send a sample and the required documentation when offering an alternate product will result in your proposal being determined “non-responsive” for that item. Samples should be clearly labeled “SAMPLE FOR RFP NUMBER #161202”. If you plan to send samples, contact the Escambia County School District Purchasing Office by email to: awatson@escambia.k12.fl.us or by fax at (850) 469-6271. A form will be sent to you via email or fax. This form must be completed prior to samples being sent. All food samples should be delivered to the Escambia County School District Central Warehouse, 51 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, FL 32503. QUESTIONS: Due to time constraints, it is recommended that vendors send questions by a manner that can be tracked (email, certified mail, or overnight courier); email is preferred. Deadline for questions will be Monday, November 30, 2015, 1:00 PM, Central Standard Time. Any changes in the specifications contained in this RFP will be made by Addenda. Any Addenda issued concerning this RFP will be posted on the Purchasing Department’s web pages. PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL, it shall be the sole responsibility of each Responder to contact the Purchasing Agent or visit the Purchasing Department’s Web pages to determine if an Addendum has been issued and to obtain such Addendum. Any Addendum and answers to any questions received will be posted by close of business Monday, December 7, 2015. The direct link to the Bid Activity Section of the District website is listed below. http://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/purchasing/bids All inquiries should be sent to: Allison Watson, Sr. Purchasing Agent Purchasing Department Escambia County School District 75 N. Pace Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32505 Email: awatson@escambia.k12.fl.us Fax: 850-469-6271 For the Escambia County School District (ECSD) to ensure equal treatment of all participating vendors, the above named individual is ECSD’s only designated representative for this RFP. Vendors are expected to utilize this representative for ALL Information regarding this RFP. Vendors who contact any other District employee regarding the subject of this RFP are subject to disqualification from participating in this solicitation.
