Purchase of Shelf Stable Meals on an Annual Contract

Location:	Georgia
Posted:	Sep 2, 2026
Due:	Sep 21, 2026
Agency:	Gwinnett County
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	89 - Subsistence (Food)
Solicitation No:	BL123-26 INV
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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PA046-21

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September 2, 2026

INVITATION TO BID

BL123-26

Gwinnett County is soliciting competitive sealed bids from qualified suppliers for the Purchase of Shelf

Stable Meals on an Annual Contract for the Department of Community Services.

Bids should be typed or submitted in ink and returned in a sealed container marked on the outside with the

BL# and Company Name. Bids will be received until 2:50 P.M. local time on September 21, 2026 at the

Gwinnett County Financial Services - Purchasing Division – 2nd Floor, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville,

Georgia 30046. Any bid received after this date and time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened

and read at 3:00 P.M. The bid opening will be virtual ONLY. To access the bid opening virtually, visit the

following link. Apparent bid results will be available the following business day on the website

www.GwinnettCounty.com.

Questions regarding bids should be directed to Casey Beauston, Purchasing Associate III, at

Casey.Beauston@GwinnettCounty.com or by calling 770-822-7995, no later than 3:00 P.M. on September

10, 2026. Bids are legal and binding upon the bidder when submitted.

Successful supplier(s) will be required to meet insurance requirements. The Insurance Company should be

authorized to do business in Georgia by the Georgia Insurance Department and must have an A.M. Best

rating of A-7 or higher.

Gwinnett County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its

programs or activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to fully

participate in any open meeting, program or activity of Gwinnett County Government should be directed to

the ADA Coordinator at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, 770-822-8165.

The written bid documents supersede any verbal or written prior communications between the parties.

Award will be made to the supplier submitting the lowest responsive and responsible bid. Gwinnett County

reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive technicalities, and to make an award deemed in its best

interest. Bids may be split or awarded in entirety. Gwinnett County reserves the option to negotiate terms,

conditions and pricing with the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s) at its discretion.

Award notification will be posted after award on the County website, www.gwinnettcounty.com, and

companies submitting a bid will be notified via email.

We look forward to your bid and appreciate your interest in Gwinnett County.

Casey Beauston, CPPB

Purchasing Associate III

The following pages should be returned with your bid:

Supplemental Information, Pages 5-6

Bid Schedule, Pages 8-10

Contract Provisions (Grant Forms), Pages 11-47

References, Page 48

Contractor Affidavit & Agreement, Page 49

Code of Ethics Affidavit, Page 50

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PURCHASE OF SHELF STABLE MEALS ON AN ANNUAL CONTRACT

The Gwinnett County Department of Community Services’ Health and Human Services Division is seeking qualified

suppliers to provide 5-day and 7-day shelf stable meal kits on an annual contract. These kits are provided to senior

citizens throughout Gwinnett County and are primarily used in times of inclement weather or other events that

make it difficult or impossible to deliver hot meals.

I. BACKGROUND

1. The Congregate Nutrition Service for the Aging Services Nutrition Program is funded under Title III, Part

C, Subpart 1 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. Shelf-stable meals are an extension of

the Congregate Nutrition Service for the Aging Services Nutrition Program.

2. The program is administered locally through the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services’

Health and Human Services Division.

II. SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. The quantities shown are approximate and are not guaranteed. The County reserves the right to order

shelf-stable meals on an as-needed basis. However, there may be times when meals are not needed at

all.

2. Each meal is to assure program participants a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the current Recommended

Dietary Allowances for individuals age 51+ as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the

National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council as evidenced by menu standards or nutrient

analysis in accordance with the Georgia Department of Aging Online Directives Information System

(hereinafter referred to as “ODIS) Section 304 Appendix 304-B Georgia Nutrition Program Nutrient

Targets for Meals.

III. METHOD OF AWARD

The County reserves the right to make award in its best interest by line item, section, or to the overall lowest

bidder.

IV. BID REQUIREMENTS

1. EXPERIENCE

a. The awarded supplier must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience providing shelf stable

meals within the past five (5) years.

2. MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING

a. Successful supplier must have the appropriate staff and supervisory personnel necessary to fulfill

the terms of this contract.

b. Successful supplier should assign a contact person or team to accept and process orders for this

contract. Successful supplier must notify the County if this contact should change at any point

during the contract period.

c. Menus shall be developed or acquired by a registered dietician. Bidders should provide copies of all

finalized menus and nutritional analysis for each with their bid.

3. MEAL SAMPLES

a. Two (2) samples of each meal kit proposed for line items 1-2 in the Bid Schedule for program use

should be provided upon the County’s request within five (5) business days and at no cost to

Gwinnett County. Samples will not be returned. Failure to submit samples as requested may result

in bid being deemed non-responsive.

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4. SUPPLIER RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The awarded supplier must deliver meals FOB Destination Prepaid and Allowed to Gwinnett Senior

Services Center, 567 Swanson Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. This location accepts deliveries

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This location has a loading dock. The delivery schedule

may vary, but the County is currently ordering on a quarterly schedule. The County reserves the right

to amend the delivery schedule, and to change delivery or meal pickup locations. The County will

coordinate with the awarded supplier or any changes. One (1) purchase order will be issued for

each order. The County prefers to have orders delivered in a single shipment; however, delivery

details may be coordinated with the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services.

b. The awarded supplier must comply with nutritional requirements as established by the Department

of Aging APD-06-04, Attachment B, Client and Community Services – Nutrition Services Menu

Standards.

i. All meal packs must provide at least the following. The nutritional values apply to all meal

kits.

1. No fewer than 1,310 calories daily

2. Six (6) oz. meat or equivalent

3. 4-6 servings bread and cereal (2 whole grains)

4. Six (6) servings fruit, vegetables, and/or juice

5. Two (2) packages of powdered milk providing 8 oz. of milk per package

6. Other nutrition requirements per ODIS Section 304, Appendix 304-B Georgia

Nutrition Program Nutrient Targets for Meals:

• Shelf stable, dehydrated, chilled and frozen meals must meet the nutrient

targets outlined in Appendix 304-B and applicable temperature standards.

Meals must meet both meal pattern and nutrient analysis requirements.

• Package labeling must be legible and show the packaging date, list of food

items, storage instructions, and instructions for preparation of, safe thawing

and reheating, or reconstituting.

• Nutrient targets may be met as a monthly average, +/-10% (Table 304-F-1)

based on 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans averaged for

individuals 51+.

c. Each meal shall include no more than one sugar-sweetened item. Sugar sweetened items are

considered cookies, desserts, and items such as fruit snacks. Fruit would not be considered sugar

sweetened.

d. Each meal shall have no refrigeration or heating required and will have a minimum shelf life of one

year.

e. Packaging Requirements:

i. Cans are to be easy to open and have pull-tabs (note exceptions in bid if not possible).

ii. Canned goods are to be labeled with the expiration date whenever possible.

iii. Canned fruits are to be USDA Grade A.

iv. Meats are to be graded by USDA.

v. Fruit and vegetable juices are to be 100% pure juice.

vi. Dried fruit must be vacuum packed. The County cannot accept single serve-packs for dried

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fruits.

f. All products must be ready to eat without preparation, with the exception of non-fat powdered milk.

Instant breakfast is not an allowable item.

g. Supplier must pack meals in cartons of sufficient strength for weight of contents and that can be

lifted and transported easily.

h. Supplier should include provider identification, “best if used by date” and other inserts in each meal

pack as requested by the County.

i. Supplier shall replace missing boxes or damaged food containers.

j. Meals shall be available within fourteen (14) days of ordering.

k. Supplier must offer low sodium and diabetic multi-meal packs.

l. For each meal pack, no menu should be repeated.

m. Supplier shall notify Gwinnett County if production lines switch from normal operation to

emergency operation.

5. COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The County shall work with the selected supplier to order meals.

b. The County shall approve proposed menus.

c. The County shall sample and approve foods.

d. The County shall monitor the quality and appearance of food.

e. The County shall approve changes in meal pack contents prior to those changes being made.

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FAILURE TO RETURN THIS PAGE AS PART OF YOUR BID DOCUMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF BID.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

1. Please provide the name and contact information for the employee(s) that will be responsible for servicing

the County’s account, if awarded. This contact will be the one receiving all Purchase Orders; therefore, they

must be aware so that orders are processed in a timely manner. Gwinnett County must be notified

immediately should this contact change at any point during the contract period.

NAME:_________________________________________________________PHONE:__________________________

EMAIL: __________________________________________________________________________________________

2. List the type and number of staff and supervisory personnel available to fulfill the terms of this contract.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Supplier shall have a permanent sanitary facility with sufficient space to store and distribute meals in the

estimated annual quantity required by this contract. Please list the address below. If more than one (1)

facility, please list, including repackaging and/or distribution sites.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Detail the method to be used to deliver meals, i.e. supplier’s own truck, freight company, etc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMPANY NAME

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

Purchase of Shelf Stable Meals on an Annual Contract

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