FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM

UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
929 YORK STREET
UTICA, NEW YORK 13502
INVITATION FOR BID
SPECIFICATIONS AND BID PROPOSAL FORMS FOR THE PURCHASE
OF ITEMS IN THE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM FOR
USE IN THE SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE
PERIOD OF July 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
BID #016
Bids will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on May 8, 2026
Dated: April 20, 2026
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LEGAL NOTICE
The Board of Education of the Utica City School District invites proposals on the forms
provided for furnishing the following:
Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program
Bids must be delivered to the Office of the Purchasing Agent of the Utica City School
District, 929 York Street, Utica, New York, prior to 11:00 a.m. on May 8, 2026 at which
time they will be publicly opened and read. The proposals are to be based on
specifications entitled "Specifications and Bid Proposal Form for Fresh Fruits and
Vegetable Program for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027", copies of
which together with bid forms are on file and may be secured at the Office of the
Purchasing Agent of the Utica City School District, 929 York Street, Utica, New York.
Bid documents may be obtained digitally in PDF format. Request documents via email
to Mike Ferraro at mferraro@uticaschools.org
Proposals signed by bidders shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope, addressed to Ms.
Heather Mowat, Deputy Purchasing Agent and marked in red in the lower, left-hand
corner:
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Bidders
Before submitting their proposals, bidders shall examine the specifications as contained
herein and base their bids upon these specifications. The Board of Education reserves
the right to reject any one or all items of bid or to award all or any part of the bid. In
cases where the Utica City School District receives two or more identical bids, the
School District reserves the right to accept one bid based on a random selection
process.
The successful bidder must execute a satisfactory contract, guaranteeing the faithful
fulfillment of the terms of the contract.
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE
UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
_________________________________________
Heather Mowat, Deputy Purchasing Agent
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
LAWS:
All supplies furnished under this specification shall comply in all respects to the
standards and regulations established by federal and New York State laws, including
the federal Pure Food and Drug Act and subsequent decisions of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
PRICE:
All prices quoted shall include transportation and delivery charges fully prepaid by
contractor, FOB Central Kitchen. All prices must remain in effect from July 1, 2026
through June 30, 2027.
INSPECTION:
The Board of Education, a duly appointed agent, or any properly authorized
representative of the N.Y.S. Department of Health or a local health department shall
have the right to inspect the premises, facilities, and methods on or by which such
baking products are handled, and may take or cause to be made standard testing for
bacteria count for the purpose of determining whether or not the Contract is being
properly executed.
METHOD OF AWARD:
The Bid will be awarded to the lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder meeting the
specifications or providing acceptable deviation. The Board of Education reserves the
right to award this bid as a whole or split between vendors or in its discretion, reject
all bids, and re-advertise in the manner provided by Section 103 of the General
Municipal Law. In cases where the Utica City School District receives two or more
identical bids, the School District reserves the right to accept one bid based on a
random selection process. Bidder must meet all specifications to be awarded this bid.
The award of the bid shall not be construed as a purchase. The Contractor(s) shall
await the receipt of a Purchase Order from the buyer(s) before preparing shipments.
QUANTITIES and ITEMS:
Quantities listed are estimates only. Listed quantities are based on the item
specification. Quantities increased or decreased are to be furnished at the contract
price. Should the items specified be unavailable due to pricing or supply, both
parties may agree on suitable substitutions. All items should be packed in 25
serving cases. Estimates are based on class size of maximum 25 with
approximately 291 classes. This number may vary.
PACKAGING:
Packaging and subsequent labeling shall comply in all respects to rules and regulations
set forth by the N.Y.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets.
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BILLING:
All Bid prices must include all charges and costs related to delivering the order to the
address indicated on the purchase orders. If unauthorized charges appear on invoices
and are not corrected to the satisfaction of the UCSD, the Contractor will be deemed to
be not in compliance and in breach of the Contract. The Contract may be terminated.
Further, the Contractor may be disqualified from participating in the bidding program
thereafter. Delivery receipt shall accompany daily deliveries. All billing is to be done
weekly.
DELIVERY:
All deliveries shall be made between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday through
Thursday, as ordered and indicated, to the Central Kitchen, 400 Elizabeth Street, Utica,
New York. Delivery schedules and times for delivery will be worked out by the
successful Bidder and the Director of Food Services. Deliveries must be received at
least 2 days prior to the service date. Dates are subject to change.
Delivery or packing slips must accompany every delivery and be clearly marked with
quantity, unit price, extended price and total.
ALL DELIVERIES MUST BE CONFIRMED ONE WEEK PRIOR WITH THE DISTRICT.
CERTIFY USDA REGULATORY STANDARDS ARE MET:
Utica City School District is required to comply with USDA regulations concerning the
nutritional content of all foods served to students, and any changes or amendments to
those regulations whenever they become effective. Therefore, every Bidder must certify
to the Utica City School District that each product offered for purchase meets the USDA
regulatory standards currently in effect along with its Bid, or the Bid will not be
considered complete. During the term of the Agreement, the Contractor shall provide,
upon request and for each substitute product whenever an item is replaced, a
certification that any or all the products meet the USDA regulatory standards then in
effect. At any time during the Contract in the event that a product item is determined to
not be in compliance with applicable USDA regulations, whether such determination is
made by the Contractor of the Utica City School District, a substitute product which
meets all applicable regulatory standards shall be substituted at the same Contract
price. If the substitute product cost is different than the item replaced, the Contractor
may apply to Utica City School District for an adjustment in price for the substitute
product item. Utica City School District reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
determine whether a proposed substitute product is acceptable.
The Utica City School District Board of Education reserves the right to correct or revise
the specifications to meet the industry standards for the product as may be required.
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BUY AMERICAN PROVISION:
The Utica City School District to the maximum extent possible will purchase domestic
commodities or products for use in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, National
School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. We require suppliers to
certify that product(s) are processed in the U.S. and certify the percentage of U.S.
content by weight or volume. Therefore, over 51% of the final processed product (by
weight or volume) must consist of agricultural commodities that were grown
domestically. Thus, for foods that are unprocessed, agricultural commodities must be
domestic. For foods that are processed, they must be processed domestically using
domestic agricultural food components that are comprised of over 51% domestically
grown items, by weight or volume as determined by the School Food Authority.
Vendors should make every effort to bid items that meet this requirement. Any item that
does not meet this criterion should be so noted on the bid.
PERFORMANCE:
The Utica City School District reserves the right to cancel the Contract for unsatisfactory
performance or quality of product or packaging upon thirty (30) days written notice to
the vendor.
NON-DISCRIMINATION:
The Contractor agrees that, in selecting its employees to perform the tasks and services
contained in this Agreement, it will not discriminate on the grounds of race, color,
religion, gender or national origin, physical handicaps or other physical limitations. The
Contractor further agrees that it will make reasonable accommodation to the known
physical or mental limitations of qualified disabled applicants and/or employees and will
document any specific reasonable accommodation requested, made, or denied, with the
basis for such denial. The Bidder further agrees and warrants that he/she will follow all
civil rights requirements promulgated by Congress, the State of New York and the State
in which the producing plant(s) is located.
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FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM
BID FORM TABLE FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
EACH BIDDER MUST COMPLETE THIS TABLE AND SUBMIT WITH THE BID
Item Anticipated Service
Item Product Specs UOM pack size Cost Dates (2026/2027)
continued continued
Blueberries
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/10 12/8 3/23
Baby Carrots
2 oz individual package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/15 12/10 3/25
Grape Tomatoes
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/17 12/15 3/30
Granny Smith Apples
100 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/22 12/17 4/1
Blackberries
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/24 1/5 4/6
Baby Cucumbers
1 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 9/29 1/7 4/8
Red Seedless Grapes
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/1 1/12 4/13
Cherry Heirloom
Tomatoes
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/6 1/14 4/15
Honey Crisp Apples
100 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/8 1/19 4/27
Cut Honeydew
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/13 1/21 4/29
Snow Peas
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/15 1/26 5/4
Broccoli Florets
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/20 1/28 5/6
Carrot Sticks
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/22 2/2 5/11
Strawberries
2 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/27 2/4 5/13
Celery Sticks
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 10/29 2/9 5/18
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Snap Peas
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/3 2/11 5/20
Cut Cantaloupe
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/5 2/23 5/25
Rainbow Carrots
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/10 2/25 5/27
Blood Oranges
100 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/12 3/2 6/1
Carrot & Radish Disks
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/17 3/4 6/3
Kiwi
100 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/19 3/9 6/8
Jicama Sticks
4 each in sealed package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 11/24 3/11 6/10
Pineapple
Chunks/Spears
2 ct 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 12/2 3/16 6/15
Cut Watermelon
1 oz tamperproof package 7275 svg 25 svgs/case 12/4 3/18 6/17
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UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
UTICA, NEW YORK
TITLE & DATE OF SPECIFICATION: _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
DATE OF PROPOSAL: __________________________________________________
NON-COLLUSION BIDDING CERTIFICATION
By submission of this bid or proposal, the bidder and each person signing on behalf of the bidder or bidders,
subject to the terms of Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law amended by Chapter 675 of the Laws of
1966 certifies that:
a. The prices in this bid have been arrived at independently without collusion, consultation,
communication, or agreement for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to
such prices with any other bidder or with any competitor.
b. Unless otherwise required by Law, the prices that have been quoted in this bid have not been
knowingly disclosed by the bidder and are not knowingly being disclosed by the bidder, prior to opening,
directly or indirectly, to any other bidder or to any competitor.
c. No attempt has been made or is to be made by the bidder to induce any other person,
partnership, or corporation to submit or not to submit a bid for the purpose of restricting competition.
d. The person signing this bid or proposal certifies that he has fully informed himself regarding the
accuracy of the statement contained in the certification, and under the penalties of perjury, affirms the
truth thereof, such penalties being applicable to the bidder as well as the person signing on its behalf.
e. Iran Divestment Act: By submission of this bid, each bidder and each person signing on behalf
of any bidder certifies, and in the case of a joint bid, each party thereto certifies as to its own
organization under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that each bidder is not
on the list created pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 165-a of the state finance law.
SIGNATURE: _____________________________________
TITLE:___________________________________________
LEGAL ADDRESS:_________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
DATE:____________________________________________
This non-collusion form must be completed, signed, and included with your bid.
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BID PROPOSAL FORM
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM
TO: The Board of Education of the Utica City School District, Utica, New York
The undersigned, having examined the specifications, including the advertisement for
bids and the general conditions and specifications dated April 20, 2026 and on file in the
office of the Purchasing Agent of the Utica City School District, 929 York Street, Utica,
New York, hereby proposes to furnish the items in the appropriate quantities listed on
the bid form table for the services for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Please fill in the bid table on pages 6-8 and put the total bid price
below:
Total Bid Price $ ____________________
The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids and reduce or
increase the quantity specified herein.
FIRM NAME ___________________________________________________________
PRINT NAME __________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE ______________________________
TITLE ________________________
FIRM ADDRESS ________________________________________________________
DATE __________________
TELEPHONE____________________________________
PLEASE RETURN THIS ENTIRE BID PACKAGE WITH YOUR BID
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UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPOSER'S CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH IRAN
DIVESTMENT ACT OF 2012
In accordance with General Municipal Law Section 103-g, which generally prohibits the School
District from entering into contracts with persons engaged in investment activities in the energy
sector of Iran, the bidder/proposer submits the following certification:
[Please Check One]
Proposer's Certification
_______By submission of this bid or proposal, each bidder/proposer and each person signing on
behalf of any bidder/proposer certifies, and in the case of a joint bid each party thereto certifies
as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief,
that each bidder/proposer is not on the list created by the Office of General Services (OGS)
pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of Section 165-a of the State Finance Law
_______I am unable to certify that my name and the name of the bidder/proposer does not appear
on the list created pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 165-a of the State Finance
Law. I have attached a signed statement setting forth in detail why I cannot so certify.
Dated:_______________
_________________________________________
Name of Bidder/Proposer
_________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Official
_________________________________________
Printed or Typed Name of Official and Title
Sworn to before me this
_____day of____________, 20____
_____________________________
Notary Public
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