Fresh Produce Products for the 26-27 school year for Cleveland County Schools Nutrition Program
| Agency: | State Government of North Carolina |
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| State: | North Carolina |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| NAICS Category: |
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| Posted Date: | Jan 16, 2026 |
| Due Date: | Feb 16, 2026 |
| Solicitation No: | 169-2026-03-SNP |
| Original Source: | Please Login to View Page |
| Contact information: | Please Login to View Page |
| Bid Documents: | Please Login to View Page |
| Solicitation Number: | 169-2026-03-SNP |
| Project Title: | Fresh Produce Products for the 26-27 school year for Cleveland County Schools Nutrition Program |
| Description: | Fresh Produce Products for the 26-27 school year |
| Opening Date: | 2/16/2026 1:00 PM |
| Posted Date: | 1/17/2026 |
| Status: | Open |
| Department: | CLEVELAND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION |
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Solicitation Number
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169-2026-03-SNP
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Department
CLEVELAND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Status Reason
Open
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Opening Date
2026-02-16T13:00:00.0000000
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Posted Date
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2026-01-16T21:48:02.0000000Z
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Commodity Code
Fresh vegetables
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Mandatory Conference/Site Visit
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Special Instructions
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Solicitation Type
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Select RFP IFB RFI
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Owner
Rob McDaniel
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Description
Fresh Produce Products for the 26-27 school year
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Attachments
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Attachment Preview
Cleveland County Schools
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Bid # 1000
CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOLS
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
Fresh Produce
PROPOSAL
TITLE: Fresh Produce Bid See tabulation form.
ISSUE DATE: Jan. 16, 2026
Proposals subject to the conditions made a part hereof will be received until
Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at 1PM.
The Department recommends submitting responses through a company that offers a tracking/monitoring
system. Ex: Fed Ex, UPS, etc.
Proposals sent by U.S. Mail are routed through the State Mail Service Center. If your proposal is not received by
the opening date and time shown above, the proposal will not be considered.
Send all Proposals directly to the address as shown below:
CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOLS
CHILD NUTRITION
400 WEST MARION STREET
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA 28150
ATTENTION: JAMIE CURRIER
BID DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED
Proposals submitted via telegraph, facsimile (Fax) machine, telephone and electronic means, including but not limited to
e-mail in response to this Request for Proposals WILL be acceptable.
Direct all Inquiries concerning this RFP to:
JAMIE CURRIER, DIRECTOR
CHILD NUTRITION
400 WEST MARION STREET
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA 28150
704-476-8126
jbcurrier@clevelandcountyschools.org
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Cleveland County Schools
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Bid # 1000
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is
prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible
state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form
which can be obtained online at Program Discrimination Complaint Form English [ 409.6 kB ] , Program Discrimination Complaint Form
Spanish [ 389.3 kB ] and from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the
complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter
must be submitted to USDA by:
mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
SCOPE OF CONTRACT – Cleveland County Schools seeks to contract with produce vendor
to purchase Fresh Produce products for all Cleveland County Schools cafeterias. See
specifications attached.
Contract Period: The contract is intended to begin on or about July 1, 2026 and continue until
June 30, 2027. At the option of Cleveland County Schools, this contract may be extended for four (4)
additional one-year periods. Both party agreements in writing are required.
General Specifications: Fresh Produce Products. See specifications attached.
Time for Acceptance: Offer must be good for at least 90 days from the date of opening. Although the contract
is expected to be awarded prior to this time, the 90 day period is requested to allow for unforeseen delays.
Reference to Other Data: Only information received in response to this RFP will be evaluated. Reference to
information previously submitted will not be considered.
Advertising: In submitting its proposal, the offeror agrees not to use the results therefrom as a part of any
news release or commercial advertising.
Confidentiality of Proposals: In submitting a proposal, the offeror agrees not to discuss or otherwise reveal
the contents of the proposal to any source outside of the using or issuing agency, government or private, until
after the award of the Contract. Offerors not in compliance with this provision may be disqualified, at the option
of the State, from contract award.
Competitive Offer: Pursuant to the provision of G.S. 143-54, and under penalty of perjury, the signer of any
proposal submitted in response to this RFP thereby certifies that this proposal has not been arrived at
collusively or otherwise in violation of either Federal or North Carolina antitrust laws
Late Data: Each offeror is cautioned that Cleveland County Schools is not obligated to ask for or accept, after
the closing date for the receipt of proposals, data which is essential for a complete and thorough evaluation of
the proposals. Cleveland County Schools may award a contract based on initial offers received without
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Cleveland County Schools
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Bid # 1000
discussion of such offers. Accordingly, each initial offer should be submitted on the most favorable and
complete price and technical terms, which the offer can submit to Cleveland County Schools.
Cost for Proposal Preparation: Any costs incurred by offerors in preparing or submitting offers are the
offeror’s sole responsibility; Cleveland County Schools will not reimburse any offeror for any costs incurred prior
to award.
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
A. Purpose
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit firm proposals from Vendors for Fresh Produce
Products for school year beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. There are 24 schools participating
in the NSLP in Cleveland County Schools with an average daily attendance of approximately 15,000 children.
With the vast growing variety of cultures and ethic backgrounds, it is imperative that we be able to offer a
much larger variety of foods for student taste testing. Although price is our first consideration when evaluating
proposal awards, student acceptability of end products has to be taken into full consideration when making
awards. Fresh Produce Products will be purchased for all Cleveland County Schools Nutrition Program, 24
locations in all.
Scope of Contract: – Cleveland County Schools seeks to contract with vendors to purchase Fresh
Produce Products.
District Responsibility – Cleveland County Schools will establish award criteria consistent with SFNS
standards and requirements at all levels federal, state, and local. The following are examples of things
to consider when evaluating your end products; price should be considered, student taste testing,
acceptability should be given full consideration, frequency of deliveries, delivery fees, availability,
processing fees, refunds and rebates.
Organization
Cleveland County Schools Child Nutrition is a non-profit Child Nutrition Program serving a
demographically diverse body of students from kindergarten through young adults, staff, and parents.
C. Calendar of Events
Proposal issue date: Jan. 16, 2026
Proposal due date and time: Feb. 16, 2026 no later than 1PM.
at Child Nutrition Office at 400 West Marion Street Shelby, North Carolina 28150.
Late bids will not be accepted.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Cleveland County Schools
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Bid # 1000
APPROPRIATED FUNDS - Any order issued as a result of this solicitation is contingent upon the availability of
appropriated funds. If funds do not become available or withdrawn, school systems reserve the right to cancel any order.
ASSIGNMENT – Any award made as a result of this solicitation may not be transferred, assigned, subcontracted,
mortgaged, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way by the successful proposer(s).
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: Any document that requires the Offeror’s signature, the signature provided must be that
of the Owner, Partner, or Corporate Officer duly authorized to sign contractual agreements.
CANCELLATION - Any order issued as a result of this solicitation may be canceled for any reason or cause.
CONTRACT TERM - All prices and terms and conditions agreed upon between Cleveland County Schools and the
successful proposer(s) will be held firm for a period of one (1) year. Upon both parties signed agreement this
contract can be extended for an additional 4 years.
• Senate Bill 961 – The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. GS 115C-264, effective August
1, 2005, “For nutritional purposes, the public schools shall not (i) use cooking oils in their school food programs
that contain trans-fatty acids or (ii) sell processed foods containing trans-fatty acids that were formed during the
commercial processing of the foods.” Therefore, Cleveland County Schools requires that all respondents quote
only on items that comply with the standard.
• Delivery Location and Orders – All beverage products shall be delivered to each school, a minimum of
every week. Cleveland County Schools reserves the right to change the delivery location and delivery
schedule where the products are to be received. All deliveries must be made between the hours of
7:00am and 1:30pm. NO EXCEPTIONS. Orders will be submitted to the Vendor awarded the Contract
by Cleveland County Schools on a schedule and by a method that is mutually agreeable to both
parties. Cleveland County Schools prefers the shortest lead time possible in order to minimize
inventory levels at schools. Orders may be transmitted electronically, by fax, phone OR as mutually
agreed upon by the Vendor awarded the Contract and Cleveland County Schools.
• Sanitation/Safety – The successful proposer(s) will warrant that all products be fresh, clean,
wholesome, upon delivery, and will be packaged, handled, and transported in an acceptable manner.
If a food product is determined to be unacceptable CNP has a right to refuse the delivery.
FEDERAL PROGRAM REGULATIONS
The Child Nutrition Programs receiving goods and services under this Contract are Federally-funded programs operated
under the authority of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This IFB and the subsequent Contract shall
comply with 7 CFR Parts 210, 220, 225, 250, 3015 and 3016 and applicable cost circulars issued by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) including A-87 Cost Principals, A -102 Administrative Requirements, and A -133 Audit
Requirements.
INSURANCE
The Vendor awarded the Contract shall maintain all necessary insurance for the period during which purchases
are made, including Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, Property Damage Insurance, Workers
Compensation Insurance, and Automobile Liability Insurance. The Vendor must provide Evidence of Insurance
in ATTACHMENT C that it currently has, and agrees to purchase and maintain, during its performance under
this Contract, the following insurance from one or more insurance companies authorized to do business in the
State of North Carolina:
1.
Property Damage - The Vendor shall maintain bodily injury and property damage liability insurance
covering all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles. The policy limits of such insurance shall not be less
than $1,000,000 combined single limit each person/each occurrence.
2.
Commercial General Liability – Vendor shall maintain Commercial General Liability insurance that shall
protect the Vendor from claims of bodily injury or property damage which arise from performance under
this Contract. This insurance shall include coverage for Contractual liability. The policy limits of such
insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000 combined single limit each occurrence/annual aggregate.
3.
Worker’s Compensation - The Vendor shall meet the statutory requirements of the State of North
Carolina for worker’s compensation coverage and employer’s liability insurance.
4.
Should any of the above required insurance be cancelled before the expiration, the issuing company
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will mail thirty (30) days written notice to the School District.
Cleveland County Schools
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Bid # 1000
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – All proposers shall comply with “Equal Employment Opportunity”, as
amended by Executive Order 11375, and supplemented in the Department of Labor regulations (41CFR Part 60).
Individuals shall not be excluded from participating in, denied the benefit of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied
employment in the administration of, or in connection with, any such program because of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, handicap, or political affiliation or belief.
EXCEPTIONS- Proposer(s) are responsible for identifying in the specific paragraph any exception to the requirement and
terms and conditions specified herein. Any exceptions to the terms and conditions specified herein must be noted in the
specified paragraph, and returned with the proposal. Cleveland County Schools Child Nutrition Program may consider a
quote, which is qualified with conditional clauses or terms, non-responsive.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – Cleveland County Schools assume no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in
developing and submitting a proposal or of samples that may be required.
FORMAT – All information that is provided by the proposer(s) shall be submitted in one (1) original. Proposers are
responsible for ensuring their quotes are received at the time and place specified on the cover page. Cleveland County
Schools Child Nutrition is not responsible for quotes that arrive late or do not have all the required information.
INDEMNIFICATION- Successful proposer(s) shall indemnify Cleveland County Schools from and against any and all
claims, demands, damages, lawsuits, expenses, costs, liabilities, injuries, liens, and causes of action of any and every
nature whatsoever, arising out of, resulting from, or in any manner connected with or concerning performance, of the
work hereunder, and the contractor hereby agrees to defend any and all such actions brought against Cleveland County
Schools for any and all expenditures, or expenses, including but not limited to, court costs and attorney’s fees, made or
incurred by Cleveland County Schools, and/or by reason of such suit or suits.
INTREPREATION- This solicitation represents the basis for any award between a proposer and the Cleveland
County Schools, and supersedes all prior offers, negotiations, exceptions and understandings (whether orally
or in writing). The information submitted by the proposer(s) should be self-explanatory and not require any
clarification or additional information.
INVOICES- The successful proposer(s) shall send their invoices to Cleveland County Schools Child Nutrition Program,
400 West Marion Street Shelby North Carolina 28150 that received the end product; payment terms are net thirty (30)
days.
PERIOD OF AGREEMENT – This agreement shall become effective on July 1, 2026 and will terminate on June 30,
2027. This Agreement shall not be amended except by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto. Upon
agreement by both parties, this contract agreement shall be extended for up to an additional 4 years. Both parties must
agree and must be in writing.
RECORD RETENTION- All records and documents must be retained for a minimum of 3 years.
PRICES- All prices quoted shall remain firm for the contract period. Prices quoted shall be based on the cost
of the item and include: distribution, financing and profit, production losses, analyses cost, waste, labor,
overhead, and transportation to each School location.
PRODUCT RECALL- If a product recall is instituted on an item that has been delivered; the successful proposer(s) will
immediately notify Cleveland County Schools.
Award of Contract - Award of contract will be made to the qualified Offeror whose offers are determined to be
advantageous to Cleveland County Schools. Bid will be awarded to the most responsive and responsible bidder.
CNP reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal (in whole or in part), waive formalities, and make awards
in a manner that is most advantageous and beneficial to Cleveland County Schools.
QUALITY- Any order issued, as a result of this solicitation will conform to the specifications and descriptions identified
herein. When requested, the successful proposer(s) will furnish a sworn affidavit from the supplier certifying the
requested and delivered products meet the specified requirements. However, such affidavit will not relieve the successful
proposer(s) from the responsibility of complying with any added requirement of the purchase orders or contract
documents.
PRODUCT RECALL
The Vendor awarded the Contract shall be expected to voluntarily comply with all Federal, State and local mandates
regarding the identification and recall of foods from the commercial and consumer marketplace. The Vendor shall have a
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.
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