Fresh Produce for 2026-2027 School Year -

Location:	Idaho
Posted:	May 28, 2026
Due:	Jun 4, 2026
Agency:	Independent School District No. 1
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	89 - Subsistence (Food)
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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SCHOOL LUNCH FRESH PRODUCE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO PURCHASE #26-04

BID DUE DATE: Thursday, June 4, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.

Independent School District No. 1, Lewiston, Idaho, (School District) hereby declares its intent to purchase the following

products within this informal bid request. The specifications listed are correct and complete to the best of our knowledge.

Where no specification is made, it is expected that only the best commercial practice is to prevail. The total dollar value of

the purchase that is the subject of this request is expected to be less than Two Hundred, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000)

and thus, the process to be used is an informal solicitation pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2806(1).

BID PROCESS

1. You are hereby invited to submit a BID for School Lunch Fresh Produce for the school year 2026-2027.

Awarded bids will be for the period of August 15, 2026 through August 15, 2027.

2. Bids should be clearly marked “School Lunch Fresh Produce Informal Bid #26-04”. Bids will be received at

the office of Leann L. Hubbard, Director of Business Services, Independent School District No. 1, 3317 12th

Street, Lewiston, ID 83501. Bids will not be accepted later than Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Bids may

be returned by fax, e-mail, U.S. Mail or other means of physical delivery. To return a bid by fax or email, bids

may be sent to 208-748-3059 (fax) or lhubbard@lewistonschools.net.

3. All bids or proposals must be made on the forms supplied, completely filled in as requested, and must be signed

and dated by an authorized representative of the responding company.

4. The entirety of the bid will be solely awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into account the quality of the

article to be supplied, conformity with the standard specifications described, delivery schedule required, and past

performance. The School District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive formalities. Bids will be

awarded on the basis of the best overall interest to the School District.

5. Bid prices shall be based on past invoices submitted to the bidder for produce procured in volume during the week of

October 6-10, 2025 AND the week of March 2-6, 2026. This cost per unit will be entered in the column “Unit Cost

to Bidder.”

6. Mark up shall include the bidder’s internal markup such that when added to the cost of produce (item 5 above) shall be

the total cost per item delivered to the School District warehouse during the sample period (item 5 above). This cost

shall be noted under the column “Bidder’s Internal Markup” on the bid form.

7. Bid price Freight on Board (FOB) Independent School District No. 1, our warehouse dock, 3317 12th Street, Lewiston,

Idaho. Freight is to be included in unit price to School District. Freight surcharges are disallowed.

8. Prices quoted should not include excise or other taxes.

9. All products are to be produced and sold in conformity with all State, Federal, and local laws and regulations,

including Department of Commerce regulations at 2 C.F.R. 200.

10. When unit size differs from that which is shown in the bid document, the bidder will cross through the unit size listed

in the document and enter the actual size bid.

11. All quantities for items comprising this bid are approximate (based on our best present estimates), and actual orders

may vary. If there is a minimum quantity to which your bid price is made, please indicate.

12. Notification of bid award will be made to bidders soon as possible after the bid date. The Director of Business

Services is authorized to issue purchase orders upon award.

13. Upon bid award, all successful bidders will be required to sign the Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,

Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion, which is attached for your review.

14. This proposal is between the School District and the supplier and cannot be reassigned.

15. Any questions regarding this bid should be directed to: Ellen Watson, Food Services Supervisor, at (208) 748-3000 or

ewatson@lewistonschools.net.

Independent School District No. 1 participates in the Department of Defense (DoD) Produce program. The School District

may be using DoD funds for produce purchases with the start of the 2026-2027 school year, until those funds are fully

expended. The School District reserves the right to purchase produce directly through the successful bidder concurrent with

the DoD program, or to delay purchases with the successful bidder until all DoD funds are exhausted. Independent School

District No. 1 provides meal services year round under the following Child Nutrition Programs: School Breakfast Program,

National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program.

REQUIREMENTS OF CONTRACT

THE BID COVERS THE PERIOD OF AUGUST 15, 2026 THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2027.

1. The Bidder’s Internal Markup will be based on the largest wholesale unit normally distributed by the vendor. Fees for

broken cartons shall be based on wholesale units. That is, if $.50 is the service fee for breaking wholesale units the fee

shall be prorated over the broken carton quantity. For example, if a wholesale unit has 24 units the charge would be

$.02.

2. Throughout the contract period, deliveries shall be made to the school district warehouse on Monday mornings between

6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless an agreement is negotiated between the contractor and the school district. When

Monday falls on a holiday when the School District is closed, deliveries will be made the following Tuesday morning

between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless an agreement is negotiated between the contractor and the School District. The

bidder must indicate on the attached bid sheet whether or not an alternate Tuesday morning delivery would be

possible in the event that schools are closed on Monday due to a holiday.

3. Weekly prices shall be given to the School District Food Service Office on Monday for the next week. Prices shall be

firm for 7 days.

4. The distributor is responsible for providing produce of high quality and as specified in the bid. If the quality of produce

is not to specification, the company must contact the School District Food Service Office and acknowledge the change.

5. The distributor shall provide fruits such as melons, bananas, or oranges with respect to maturity that will provide the

most effective ripeness at the time of usage.

6. The distributor shall deliver only produce of optimum condition; particularly with respect to maturity level.

7. In the case the products are defective or do not conform to specifications, the School District will contact the distributor

to notify them that the product is being rejected. The supplying distributor will work with the School District to replace

the rejected product in a timely manner. Rejected products shall be removed promptly and replaced at the expense of

the distributor. When product cannot be replaced in time to meet the needs of the menu, the bidder will credit the

School District for rejected products in lieu of replacing them. Repeated delivery of defective or non-conforming

products may lead to the termination of the contract with thirty (30) days written notice.

8. Audits may be made of the distributor’s records as follows:

a. At the end of each month

b. Questionable price increase

c. Selected items showing price increases

d. Substitution of cheaper brands or grades

SUBSTITUTIONS

If the distributor is temporarily out of stock on a particular item, an equal or superior product at an equal or lower price may

be delivered, with prior approval of the School District. If a distributor is unable to deliver a product or an approved

substitute, the school district shall, in good faith and in its sole discretion, purchase a product or equal or greater qualify

from another source.

DISCONTINUED PRODUCT

In the event a manufacturer discontinues a product, the vendor will notify the School District, propose alternative items of

equal or greater quality, and provide a cutting of the proposed items if required.

RECALLS

The vendor shall be responsible to notify the School District in the event of a product recall. Timely notification is required.

TERMS OF TERMINATION

This contract may be canceled immediately by the School District if the quality of the produce, costs, documentation of

costs, or delivery schedules do not meet the requirements of the bid. In all other circumstances the School District may

terminate the contract by giving the distributor thirty (30) days’ notice, in writing, with an explanation for cause and/or

convenience of termination and its intention to do so. The distributor may, likewise, terminate the contract by providing

thirty days written notice.

DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION

The School District awards contracts only to responsible contractors possessing the ability to perform successfully under the

terms and conditions of a proposed procurement. Consideration will be given to such matters as contractor integrity,

compliance with public policy, record of past performance, and financial and technical resources.

The School District may not subcontract with or award subgrants to any person or company who is debarred or suspended.

For all contracts over $25,000 the School District verifies that the vendor with whom it intends to do business is not

excluded or disqualified. 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix II(1) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 180.220 and 180.300.

MINORITY BUSINESSES, WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, LABOR SURPLUS FIRMS

To assure that minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible, the

School District will:

1. Place qualified small and minority business and women’s business enterprises on solicitation lists.

2. Assure that small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential

sources.

3. Divide total purchasing requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum

participation by small and minority business and women’s business enterprises.

4. Establish delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by small and minority

business and women’s business enterprises.

5. Use the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the

Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.

6. Require the prime contractor, if subcontracts are let, to take the affirmative steps listed above.

BUY AMERICAN PROVISION - per Code of Federal Regulation 7CFR210.21(d)

To the maximum extent practicable, products bid shall be domestically grown and processed in the United States or its

territories. By submitting and signing this proposal/bid, the bidder acknowledges and certifies that his/her company

complies with the Buy American provision that the food delivered is of domestic origin or the product is substantially

produced in the United States. For these purposes, substantially means over 51 percent of the processed food is from

American-produced products. If the bidder is unable to certify compliance with the Buy American provision, the bidder

shall state this in his/her response and provide an explanation as to why it cannot certify compliance.

An exception to the Buy American provision will be considered upon request in the following situations:

A. The product is not produced or manufactured in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities; (or)

B. Cost comparisons reveal that a U.S. product costs significantly more than a foreign product.

Any product not substantially produced in the United States shall be identified as “non-domestic” with its place of origin

specified. The bidder shall provide documentation to support the use of a non-domestic food item.

The successful bidder will monitor product specification and notify Ellen Watson, Food Service Supervisor, at 208-748-

3000, immediately if any product is no longer substantially produced in the U.S. When a food product is not available

domestically, the District is allowed to accept imported substitutions. The successful bidder must monitor seasonal changes

and notify the Food Service Supervisor if an imported product is being substituted.

ANTI-ISRAEL BOYCOTT

Section 67-2346, Idaho Code, prohibits the Independent School District No. 1 from contracting with any company (of more

than ten employees) that engages in an anti-Israel boycott. This includes refusing to deal with, terminating activities, or other

activities that are intended to discriminate against or inflict economic harm on the state of Israel or its territories. By entering

into this agreement, you acknowledge that you do not currently engage in – and will not engage in during the duration of this

contract – a boycott against the State of Israel or its territories.

GOVERNMENT OF CHINA PROHIBITED

Section 67-2359, Idaho Code, prohibits the Independent School District No. 1 from contracting with any company owned or

operated by the government of China. By entering into this contract, you certify that your company is not currently owned

or operated by the government of China and will not for the duration of the contract be owned or operated by the

government of China.

COMPANIES BOYCOTTING CERTAIN SECTORS PROHIBITED

Section 67-2347A, Idaho Code, prohibits the Independent School District No. 1 from contracting with any company

boycotting certain sectors, including (a) engages in or supports the exploration, production, utilization, transportation, sale,

or manufacture of fossil fuel-based energy, timber, minerals, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or agriculture; or (b)

engages in or supports the manufacture, distribution, sale, or use of firearms, as defined in section 18-3302(2)(d), Idaho

Code. By entering into this agreement, you certify that your company is not currently boycotting certain sectors and will not

for the duration of the contract.

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements.

The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:

1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for

influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or

employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal

contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative

agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant,

loan, or cooperative agreement.

2. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or

attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of

Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan or

cooperative Agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities,” in accordance with instructions.

3. The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all

subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative

agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or

entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by

Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty

of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

1. Bidder must be an equal employment opportunity employer.

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies,

the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status,

family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior

civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,

audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact

USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be

made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found

online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and

provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-

9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202)

690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

BID PROTEST PROCEDURE

The bidding of food and food service supplies is carried out pursuant to the procedures set forth in Idaho Code Section 67-

2806 entitled Purchasing by Political Subdivisions.

Sub-section 67-2806(2)(c) describes the process for objections to specifications or bid procedures:

“Written objections to specifications or bid procedures must be received by the clerk, secretary or other authorized official

of the political subdivision at least three (3) business days before the date and time upon which bids are scheduled to be

received.”

And

67-2806(2)(j) describes the process for objections to the award:

“If any participating bidder objects to such award, such bidder shall respond in writing to the notice from the political

subdivision within seven (7) calendar days of the date of transmittal of the notice, setting forth in such response the express

reason or reasons that the award decision of the governing board is in error. Thereafter, staying performance of any

procurement until after addressing the contentions raised by the objecting bidder, the governing board shall review its

decision and determine whether to affirm its prior award, modify the award, or choose to re-bid, setting forth its reason or

reasons therefor. After completion of the review process, the political subdivision may proceed as it deems to be in the

public interest.”

Objections should be directed to:

Leann L. Hubbard

Director of Business Services

3317 12th Street

Lewiston, ID 83501

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Fresh Produce for 2026-2027 School Year -

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