The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to award full-line grocery and non-food supply items to one or more vendors for Frisco ISDs Child Nutrition Program. Child Nutrition is funded by USDA's National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, both administered by Texas Department of Agriculture. This RFP is a competitive solicitation (TEC 44.031). All procurement activities shall be conducted in a manner that provides maximum full and open competition per federal and state laws and local policies and procedures. It is not a contract. Purchases will be made by approved purchase order and only the purchase order will serve as a contract. NO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED BEFORE THE VENDOR RECEIVES A PURCHASE ORDER. By submitting a response to this bid, you agree to provide services on an as needed basis to Frisco ISD. Frisco ISD does not guarantee the volume (quantity or dollar value) to be purchased annually. The actual dollar amount to be purchased from this RFP depends on District needs. (TAC 109.41) BACKGROUND Frisco ISD educates more than 66,000 students in 12 high schools, 17 middle schools, 43 elementary schools and 3 special programs schools. Frisco ISD is roughly 30 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and encompasses 75 square miles in Collin and Denton counties, including the City of Frisco and portions of neighboring Plano, McKinney and Little Elm. FISD has over eight thousand employees. A map of FISD schools and facilities is attached to this RFP and available on the website. Students in FISD are served more than 48,000 healthy meals and meal equivalents daily by award-winning Child Nutrition Program employees. Child Nutrition's leadership team have successfully completed state and nationally approved certification classes in nutrition education, culinary education, administration, communication, operations, marketing, training and food safety. Staff work with educators to help students learn about nutrition and exercise as part of a life-long healthy lifestyle. The Department is self-supported by meals and items sold in cafeterias. Frisco ISD continues to explore programs, initiatives, and/or strategies to support the high-quality services the Program provides. SCOPE OF WORK Grocery and Non-Grocery items for which FISD is requesting pricing are separated into the following groups in this RFP: 1. Full Line Grocery – Non-Food items 2. Full Line Grocery – One Stop Delivery 3. Full Line Grocery – Net Off Invoice and Fee for Service 4. Full Line Grocery – Grocery Items to Multiple Stops 5. Full Line Grocery – Catering Items 6. Full Line Grocery – Beverages (All/Multiple Locations) Deliveries are made to more than 72 FISD sites (campuses and other facilities). Addresses and acceptable delivery times are included in an attachment to this RFP for reference in developing your line item costs. Delivery should be considered when proposers develop their line item prices. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Specifications for each product Frisco ISD is requesting are included in this solicitation. These and estimated volume were developed by Child Nutrition based on an analysis of historical procurement data. REFER TO THE LINE ITEMS IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES FOR PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND ANTICIPATED PURCHASES. EQUIVALENCY CLAUSE Any manufacturer specification included in this RFP is to be considered as information only. Reference to a manufacturer’s products shall be understood as indicating type, function, minimum standard of design, efficiency, and quality desired and shall not be construed as to exclude other manufactured products or comparable quality, design, and efficiency (as applicable). IF NO MENTION IS MADE BY THE BIDDER OF PROPOSING TO A SUBSTITUTE OR ALTERNATIVE, FRISCO ISD WILL ASSUME THAT THE ITEM SPECIFEID IS TO BE FURNISHED AND A C ONTRACT [SS5] WILL BE MADE ACCORDINGLY. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES The good(s) and/or service(s) to be purchased under the awarded contract, if any, may be of indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity (IDIQ). The listed items are commonly acquired items and prices will be used to determine best value. Frisco ISD makes no guarantee or commitment of any kind concerning quantities that will be purchased. Frisco ISD makes no guarantee or commitment of any kind regarding usage of any contracts resulting from this solicitation. Quantities specified are per unit of measure listed in the proposal solicitation. CONTRACT AWARD The District intends to make one award pursuant to this RFP but reserves the right to award contracts per Line item at its sole discretion. Frisco ISD may award a contract based on proposals received, without discussions. Therefore, each proposal should contain the proposer’s best pricing. The District may negotiate with one or more proposers; and no proposer shall have any rights against the District arising from such negotiations or any invitation to negotiate. This RFP does not commit the District to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request. It is the intent of this RFP that should a given proposal be accepted, it will automatically become part of a binding contract. TERMS Once approved by the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees, this award will be in effect for the identified one-year term, with the possibility of four [SS6] (4), one (1) year automatic renewals. Renewal will be automatically issued providing the vendor and Frisco ISD remain in good standing and agree on any changes in pricing or procedure. The final automatic renewal for ALL vendors qualified under this solicitation, will conclude on June 30, 2028 (6/30/2028). ALTERNATES In addition to the products formally listed in the RFP, the District highly encourages vendors to submit a complete list of alternate products for consideration that may differ slightly (e.g., different flavored, etc.) from a product listed in the RFP at a firm price for the length of the RFP/Contract term. You may propose an alternate product when submitting your proposal by entering all necessary information on the pricing spreadsheet provided with the original RFP documents. There will be a separate tab included specifically for alternate items. Each alternate line item MUST reference the original specification alternate is provided for as appropriate. Failure to do so may result in the product being marked not to specification. In the event of crop failures, product shortages, plant closures, acts of God, changes in consumer taste and expectations, or any time such is determined to be in the best interest of the District, the District’s Child Nutrition Department, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to call for alternate products from an awarded vendor at any time during the Contract term. The District may then select from alternate products submitted for consideration to be included in the Contract. Vendor may request the District’s approval to replace a product or provide an alternative product to the Contract if: the replacing or alternate product(s) are equal (or superior) to the original product(s) offered or discounted to a similar degree (or greater) degree. The District may reject any proposed alternatives, without cause, in its sole discretion. NEW PRODUCTS The District highly encourages Proposers to submit a complete list of new product ideas in addition to the products formally listed in the RFP. Price must be included for each new product and must be firm for the length of the RFP/Contract term. PRICING For proposed goods and services, alternates, new products, and optional services, provide pricing information including any additional pricing examples as well as pricing discount schedules needed to provide the District with comprehensive pricing information. For alternates, new products, and optional services provide independent and separate pricing information. Frisco ISD may request that vendor provide discounts or other adjustments on a per-Purchase Order basis. You must comply with the following requirements when submitting any and all pricing information: Best Price - Proposer should propose his/her lowest and best price (as applicable) on each good and/or service that is subject of this RFP. Firm Prices - Prices and discount percentages must be firm (fixed). However, if the proposer believes it has a better (more cost effective method) method, Proposer may be considered, but only as an alternate proposal and should be noted as an Exception. In the event Proposer’s price(s) will be adjusted or escalated upon a renewal (if any) of the fixed-price contract awarded pursuant to this RFP, Proposer must indicate such in its proposal. Any adjustment or escalation of the fixed price(s) will be based on the CPI index and may only be made at the time of contract renewal. Two Decimal Points. Due to system constraints, pricing must be to no more than two (2) places past the decimal point. The District reserves the right on any Proposals submitted where pricing is more than two (2) places past the decimal point to round the price down to two (2) places past the decimal point. No pre-pricing - the District will not accept pre-priced packages. Proposers must provide Firm Fixed Pricing that includes the cost of the services required to provide products to FISD. ** PLEASE NOTE: Bidders that do not provide firm fixed pricing will not be evaluated for qualification to this solicitation. EVALUATION PROCEDURE & CRITERIA Proposers will submit the following items: Line item pricing as requested in this RFP. A vendor who proposes to this RFP must supply line item pricing in the format requested in this RFP. References from at least three customers of similar size and scope of Frisco ISD (School District preferred). The evaluation of proposals(s) will be conducted by a Committee composed of members from Frisco ISD based on position and expertise. Frisco ISD deserves the right to add, delete or substitute members of the Evaluation Committee as it deems necessary. A minimum of three (3) administrative staff members will review responses and make recommendations to the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees for final approval. Per U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture mandate cost will be a heavily weighted consideration. TEC 44.031(b) lists evaluation criteria that must be considered. The below will be considered. 1. The purchase price; market price, hourly rate, emergency rates; (51 points) Lowest price among responses. Commitment to honor pricing offered in this RFP for 60 days 2. The reputation of the vendor and of the vendor’s goods or services/services and references of like sized school district; (10 points) 3. The quality of the vendor’s goods or services? (12 points) 4. The extent to which the goods or services meet the district’s needs? (13 points) 5. The vendors’ past relationship with the district? (0 points) 6. The impact on the ability of the districts to comply with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized businesses; (0 points) 7. The total long-term cost to the district to acquire the vendor’s goods or services; (10 points) 8. For a contract for goods and services, materials, whether the vendor or the vendor’s ultimate parent company or majority owner? (A) Has its principal place of business in the State of Texas; or (B) Employs at least 500 persons in the State of Texas; (0 points) 9. Any other relevant factors; (4 points) RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS You must provide a firm fixed price for the products and services requested for your products (see Lines tab in this RFP) You must review, initial, and sign the Standard Attributes Certifications and Terms & Conditions, located in the attachments tab of this solicitation. The completed document must be uploaded in the response attachments tab of your response. Failure to include the completed, initialed and signed document may disqualify your company from further consideration. You must disclose, on a separate company letterhead, any products containing peanuts or peanut byproducts, and any products submitted that contain protein derived from milk, eggs, fish, crustacean, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, or sesame. This is required by the FDA as a result of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). Proposers may be awarded up to four points for completing the Product Information workbook attached to this RFP. You must provide the District with a menu of any optional services you can provide. Price each optional service separately and independently of any other good and/or service offered in the lines of this RFP. Frisco ISD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive all technicalities and informalities, to be the sole judge of quality and equality, and to qualify the vendor(s) that is determined to be the best fit for Frisco ISD. Qualification will be based on what in our opinion, provides the best value based on criteria and specifications set forth in this solicitation. All questions regarding this open solicitation must be entered into IonWave during the question period. Questions will not be answered via email. Answers will be published to all bidders, all at once through this system on or before April 18, 2023. Frisco ISD requests that bidders submit their response electronically. Please contact Director, Susan Patterson, by email at [email protected] if you require assistance with the electronic submittal portion of this process. Your cooperation is appreciated. EMAILED AND/OR FAXED SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Frisco ISD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the proposals, waive minor technicalities, and accept the offer(s) which best meets the needs of the District. LIMITED CONTACT POLICY Once this RFP is published, Frisco ISD staff and FISD representatives will maintain limited contact with potential Vendors. Limited contact is a prohibition on any communication regarding this RFP or other competitive solicitations between any person who seeks an award under this RFP, including a potential vendor or vendor’s representative; and Any Frisco ISD Board member, Superintendent, senior staff member, principal, department head, director, manager, other employee, or consultant who has influence in the evaluation or selection process. Furthermore, campaign contributions, gifts, donations, and any other items of value are prohibited between the parties defined above for any known contract under consideration during the restricted or limited contact period. Limited contact shall not apply to communication with FISD’s Purchasing staff. Such communications shall be limited to the purpose of obtaining clarification or information concerning the RFP. All communication with Purchasing staff must be in writing. The potential vendor or vendor’s representative shall send all written communication directly to the designated procurement staff. The limited contact period shall begin upon the issuance of this RFP, bid, or other competitive solicitation and officially end upon execution of an award by the Board of Trustees and/or the execution of a negotiated contract, whichever represents the final act in the procurement process. Regardless of the above, it is not acceptable for a potential vendor to participate in determining the scope of work, strategic direction, technical specifications, or evaluation criteria of such projects. Nothing contained in this policy shall prohibit any potential vendor or vendor’s representative from making public representations at scheduled pre-bid conferences or scheduled selection and negotiation committee meetings; engaging in contract negotiations during any scheduled meeting; making a public presentation to the Frisco ISD Board during any duly noticed public meeting; or conducting business on contracts previously executed and currently in force. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the procurement staff from initiating a contact with a potential vendor or vendor’s representative and subsequent communication for the purpose of obtaining clarifying information regarding a response to an RFP, bid, or competitive solicitation. Such contact shall be in writing and shall be provided to the members of the applicable procurement staff, including any response thereto. PROCUREMENT ETHICS 1. Any Frisco Independent School District employee who exercises any responsibilities in the review, approval or implementation of the qualifications or bid shall not participate in any decisions, which affect his or her direct personal or financial interest. 2. It is a breach of ethical standards for any person to offer, give or agree to give any District employee, or for any District employee to solicit demand, accept or agree to accept, a gratuity or an offer of employment, whenever a reasonably prudent person would conclude that such consideration was motivated by an individual, group or corporate desire to obtain special, preferential, or more favorable treatment than is normally accorded to the general public. 3. The firm shall not assign any interest in this contract and shall not transfer any interest in the same without the prior written consent of Frisco ISD. 4. The firm shall not accept any client or project that places it in a conflict of interest with its representation of Frisco Independent School District. If such a conflict of interest is subsequently discovered, Frisco ISD shall be promptly notified. BID ACTIVITIES Activity Date & Time Additional Notes Release of RFP 4/4/2023 2:30 PM (CT) Responses accepted beginning on this date - Bid Opening Deadline for Questions 4/14/2023 2:30 PM (CT) Deadline to submit any questions about this solicitation. Answers will be published to all bidders, all at once through this system Deadline for RFP Submission 5/4/2023 2:30 PM (CT) Deadline to submit response to RFP. Any late entries to this RFP WILL NOT be accepted. (Tentative) Recommendation to Board of Trustees 6/12/2023 7:00 PM (CT) Applicants will be notified of the District’s decision upon successful submission of proposal documentation, successful evaluation scoring and Frisco ISD Board of Trustee approval. Effective Date of Award 7/1/2023 Once approved by the Trustees, this qualification will be in effect for the identified term, with yearly extensions (up to four (4), (1) year terms). The final extension will end June 30, 2028.

Bid Protests Not Available