RFP: Fresh Produce

Natomas Unified School District is seeking a qualified vendor to supply and deliver fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) for its K‑12 student‑meal programs during the 2026‑2027 school year. The contract will be awarded on a cost‑plus fixed‑fee basis, with the vendor reimbursed for actual produce costs plus a single, district‑wide fixed fee per case. Deliveries are required multiple times per week to a central kitchen and twelve individual school sites throughout the Sacramento area, with strict temperature controls and timely delivery windows. The vendor must provide food‑safety documentation, comply with California Buy‑American and related statutes, maintain insurance, and be prepared for possible contract renewals up to a total of five years. • Scope: Provide a full range of fresh produce (≈ 80 line‑items) to ~9,000 meals/day, meeting USDA and state safety standards. • Delivery: 2‑3 weekly refrigerated shipments to 12 schools plus central kitchen; vendor bears freight (FOB destination). • Pricing: Cost‑plus with a single per‑case fixed fee; no hidden surcharges; price adjustments allowed after 90 days with market index support. • Evaluation: Primarily price‑based, with significant weight on service, delivery reliability, food‑safety certifications, and traceability (origin reporting).