The purpose of this solicitation is to enter into a purchase agreement for frozen, canned, and packaged fruit and vegetables for school cafeterias throughout the Escambia County School District (ECSD) for the period beginning March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2024 with a one (1) year renewal option. All terms and conditions, excluding pricing, shall remain in effect for the entire term(s) of this agreement. Refer to Section IV- Pricing regarding price adjustments. The quantities and delivery dates listed herein are the best estimate of the District based on prior and projected usage. The District will make every attempt to adhere as closely as possible to the estimated delivery dates and quantities. However, the District reserves the right to adjust delivery dates, reduce the number of shipments and/or purchase additional quantities at the agreement price at any time during the agreement period. The District does not pay fuel adjustment charges.
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 Bid, you must send a sample for review by FrIday, November 11, 2022, 12:00 PM, CST. Failure to send a full case quantity sample size in its original packaging and the required documentation when offering an alternate product may result in your Bid being determined “ non-responsive” for that item. Unmarked boxes or bags containing loose samples are not accepted. Samples should be clearly labeled “SAMPLE FOR BID NUMBER #230702.” If planning to send samples, the form and instructions will be posted on the Purchasing website at http://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/purchasing/bids.. 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. Refer to Paragraph T – Samples and Brand Name on page 5.
QUESTIONS: Due to time constraints, it is recommended that vendors send any questions regarding this solicitation by a manner that can be tracked (email, certified mail, or overnight courier); email is preferred. Deadline for questions will be Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 4:00 PM, Central Standard Time. Any changes in the specifications contained in this bid will be made by Addenda. Any Addenda issued concerning this bid will be posted on the Purchasing Department’s web pages. PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A BID, it shall be the sole responsibility of each bidder 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 concerning this solicitation will be posted by close of business Friday, November 4, 2022.