24-RQ215967-SB- Summer Food Service- Health Inspection- Project

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Invitation for Bid #:
24-RQ215967-SB
Summer Food Service Health Inspections 2026-2031
Date of Issue:
April 23, 2026
Bid Opening Date:
May 20, 2026, at 02:00 PM ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this IFB to:
Sharlavette Burt
Procurement Specialist II
procurement@dpi.nc.gov

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Invitation for Bid #
24-RQ215967-SB
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of bids, provide your company's eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public. This
page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made available
for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your bid.
Failure to do so may subject your bid to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register at https://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
Ver: 11/2025

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Public Instruction
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this IFB to: Invitation for Bid No.: 24-RQ215967-SB
Sharlavette Burt, Procurement Specialist II The bid will only be opened on the due date:
Procurement@dpi.nc.gov May 23, 2026, at 02:00 PM ET
Using Agency: Department of Public Instruction- Commodity No. and Description:
School of Nutrition and Auxiliary Services 781416- Inspection
Requisition No.: RQ215967 (Health Inspections for the Summer Food Service Program)
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Invitation for Bid (IFB), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to furnish and
deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this bid, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this bid is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A of
the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this bid, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from
covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its Sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a result of
this IFB, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer with
more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned Vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair
employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of any
Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing plans,
specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public
contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of this
response to the IFB, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any
such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this bid, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the Ariba Sourcing Tool.
Failure to execute/sign bid prior to submittal may render bid invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late bids shall not be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
Ver: 11/2025 1

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty (60) days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if extended by mutual
agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the agency issuing this IFB.
ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS
If your bid is accepted, all provisions of this IFB, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written agreem
ent between
the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and shall apply. Dependin
g upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
Ver: 11/2025 2

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 5
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ............................................................................................................................ 5
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT .................................................................................................... 5
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS ..................................................... 5
2.4 IFB SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................. 5
2.5 BID QUESTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 6
2.6 BID SUBMITTAL .............................................................................................................................. 7
2.7 BID CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.8 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................ 7
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND BID EVALUATION PROCESS ...................................................................... 8
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION .............................. 8
3.3 BID EVALUATION PROCESS ............................................................................................................. 8
3.4 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ................................................................................. 9
3.5 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ..................................................................................... 9
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 PRICING........................................................................................................................................ 10
4.2 INVOICES ...................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 ESTIMATED QUANTITIES ............................................................................................................... 10
4.4 FINANCIAL STABILITY .................................................................................................................... 10
4.5 HUB PARTICIPATION ..................................................................................................................... 10
4.6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 11
4.7 BACKGROUND CHECKS ................................................................................................................. 11
4.7.1 VENDOR BACKGROUND CHECK AGREEMENT ................................................................................. 11
4.8 PERSONNEL .................................................................................................................................. 11
4.9 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ...................................................................................................... 11
4.10 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENT MODIFICATION ..................................................................... 11
4.11 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS ........................................................... 12
4.12 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ............................................................................................ 12
Ver: 11/2025 3

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
5.0 SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................... 12
5.1 SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................... 12
5.2 VENDOR REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................................. 12
5.3 TASKS/DELIVERABLES ................................................................................................................... 12
5.4 DEVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 13
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................................................ 13
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ........................................................................... 14
6.2 POST AWARD BUSINESS REVIEW MEETINGS .................................................................................. 14
6.3 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ....................................................................................................... 14
6.4 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ................................................................................................................ 14
6.5 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE .............................................................................................................. 14
6.6 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ................................................................................................................... 15
6.7 CONTRACT CHANGES .................................................................................................................... 15
6.8 PRICE ADJUSTMENTS .................................................................................................................... 15
7.0 ATTACHMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 16
Ver: 11/2025 4

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
Purpose
The NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), Office of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services, seeks to contract with a vendor
to conduct onsite health and safety inspections for the State's Summer Food Service Program.
The vendor will perform the work in a manner that will enable the NCDPI to adhere to USDA Food and Nutrition Services' (FNS)
regulations and State/Local food/health standards and procedures, thus helping to ensure meals served to children meet the
appropriate health requirements.
Background
The Office of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services (OSN) provide leadership and direction for the infrastructure that supports
the school based Federal food assistance programs administered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
Such leadership, direction and accountability are mandated by Federal regulations, policy and guidance, State General Statutes,
policies of the State Board of Education and directives and procedures established through Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction. The organizational unit consists of five (5) distinct areas including (1) the Office of the Senior Director, (2) Data and
Program Analysis Section (to include the School Nutrition Technology System), (3) the Compliance and Monitoring Section, (4) the
Technical Assistance and Support Section, and (5) the Outreach and Promotion Section.
The primary purpose of these organizational units is the efficient, effective, accountable, and timely operation of the School
Nutrition programs throughout the State's Public-School Units (PSUs) and in other eligible sub-recipients' organizations where
students participate in an educational program recognized by the State.
The OSN oversees seven (7) Federally assisted School Nutrition Programs, and several non-discretionary Federal grants in public,
non-public, residential and Federal schools as well as non-profit and private sub-recipient agencies and institutions. The OSN is
responsible for Statewide technical assistance, on-site training and consultation, monitoring and compliance, professional
development and continuous program improvements for all sub-recipient agencies. The work of the OSN is accomplished in
accordance with Federal and State legislation that directs the administration and operation of statewide programs, initiatives and
related services that support local School Nutrition units.
This contract is funded through Federal funding
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Specific Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have a five (5) year term, beginning October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2031. The annual service dates
under this contract are from May - September.
In addition to any optional renewal terms, and with the Vendor's concurrence, the State reserves the right to extend the Contract
after the last active term.
Bids shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this IFB and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS
2.4 IFB SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this IFB. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Ver: 11/2025 5

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue IFB State April 23, 2026
Submit Written Questions Vendor May 1, 2026, by 10:00AM ET
Provide Response to Questions State May 13, 2026
Submit Bids Vendor May 20, 2026, by 2:00 PM ET
Teams Meeting Link:
Public Bid Opening via MS Teams
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/211256443267166?p=iBREDUo5oY28KMkpSM
Contract Award State TBD
2.5 BID QUESTIONS
Upon review of the IFB documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the IFB in order to submit the best bid
possible. To accommodate the Bid Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by the "Submit Written Questions"
date and time provided in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum.
Questions related to the content of the solicitation, or the procurement process should be directed to the person on the title page
of this document via the Sourcing Tool's message board by the date and time specified in the IFB SCHEDULE Section of this IFB.
Vendors will enter "IFB # 24-RQ215967-SB - Questions" as the subject of the message. Question submittals should include a
reference to the applicable IFB section and be submitted in the format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
IFB Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself, can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at
888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET.
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the State's response, and any additional terms deemed necessary by
the State will be posted in the Sourcing Tool in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP), https://evp.nc.gov
and shall become an Addendum to this IFB. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any State
personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection with this IFB, shall be considered authoritative or
binding. Vendors shall rely only on written material contained in the IFB and an addendum to this IFB.
2.6 BID SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Late bids, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered, and will be
automatically disqualified from further consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late submission due to unintended or
unanticipated delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its bid has been received as described in this IFB by the specified
time and date of opening. Failure to submit a bid in strict accordance with instructions provided shall constitute sufficient cause
to reject a Vendor's bids(s). Solicitation responses are subject to Sealed Bidding requirements.
Vendor's bids for this procurement must be submitted through the Sourcing Tool. For training on how to use the Sourcing Tool to
view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload documents, and submit offers to the State, Vendors should go to
the following site: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training
Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at 888-
211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
Tips for Using the Sourcing Tool
1. Vendors should review available training and confirm that they are able to access the Sourcing Event, enter responses,
and upload files well in advance of the date and time response are due to allow sufficient time to seek assistance from
the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk.
2. Vendors may submit their responses early to make sure there are no issues and then submit a revised response any time
prior to the response due date and time. The State will only review the most recent response.
Ver: 11/2025 6

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
3. Vendors should respond to all relevant sections of the Sourcing Event. Certain questions or items are required in order to
submit a response and are denoted with an asterisk. The Sourcing Tool will not allow a response to be submitted unless
all required items are completed. The Sourcing Tool will provide error messages to help identify any required information
that is missing when response is submitted.
4. Simply saving your response in the Sourcing Tool is not the same as submitting your response to the State. Vendors should
make sure they complete the submission process and receive a message that their response was successfully submitted.
5. Only Bids submitted through the Content Section of the Ariba Sourcing Event will be considered. Bids submitted
through the Message Board will not be accepted or considered for award.
If confidential and proprietary information is included in the bid, also submit one (1) signed, REDACTED copy of the bid. Such
information may include trade secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-152 and other information exempted from the Public
Records Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132- 1.2. Vendor may designate information, Products, Services, or appropriate
portions of its response as confidential, consistent with and to the extent permitted under the statutes and rules set forth
above. By so redacting any page, or portion of a page, the Vendor warrants that it has formed a good faith opinion, having
received such necessary or proper review by counsel and other knowledgeable advisors, that the portions determined to be
confidential and proprietary and redacted as such, meet the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. However,
under no circumstances shall price information be designated as confidential.
If the Vendor does not provide a redacted version of the bid with its bid submission, the Department may release an
unredacted version if a record request is received.
2.7 BID CONTENTS
Vendors shall provide responses to all questions and complete all attachments for this IFB that require the Vendor to provide
information and upload them to the Sourcing Event in the Sourcing Tool. Vendor may not be able to submit its response in the
Sourcing Tool unless all required items are addressed. Vendors shall provide authorized signatures where requested. Failure to
provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete items, may result in the State rejecting Vendor's bid, in the State's
sole discretion.
Vendors shall upload the following items and attachments in the Sourcing Tool:
a) Completed and signed versions of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the IFB.
b) Vendor's Response: SECTION 5.2, VENDOR REQUIREMENTS, Item #2 - Redacted copy of the Health Inspection and Item #3
- Organizational and operational structure the Vendor proposes to utilize for the work described in this IFB. These items
will be uploaded with the Vendor(s) responses.
c) Signed receipt pages of any addenda released in conjunction with this IFB, if required to be returned.
d) Completed version of ATTACHMENT A: PRICING
e) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION
f) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM
g) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR
h) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT G: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
i) Completed and signed version of CERTIFICATION FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
j) Completed and signed version of OMB STANDARD FORM LLL
2.8 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS
Relevant definitions for this IFB are provided in 01 NCAC 05A .0112 and in the Instructions to Vendors found in the Sourcing Tool,
which are incorporated herein by this reference.
The following definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations are also relevant to this IFB:
a) Liquidation period: beginning on the date of the adoption of the plan of liquidation, and (ii) ending at
the close of the 90th day after such date
Ver: 11/2025 7

Bid Number: IFB #24-RQ215967-SB Vendor: __________________________________________
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND BID EVALUATION PROCESS
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD
North Carolina G.S. 143-52 provides a general list of criteria the State shall use to award contracts, as supplemented by the
additional criteria herein. The Goods or Services being procured shall dictate the application and order of criteria; however, all
award decisions shall be in the State's best interest.
All responsive bids will be reviewed, and an award or awards will be based on the responsive bid(s) offering the lowest price that
meets the specifications provided herein, to include any required verifications set out here in such as but not limited to past
performance, references, and financial documents.
While the intent of this IFB is to award a Contract(s) to a single Vendor, the State reserves the right to make separate awards to
different Vendors for one or more line items, to not award one or more line items, or to cancel this IFB in its entirety without
awarding a Contract, if it is considered to be most advantageous to the State to do so.
The State reserves the right to waive any minor informality or technicality in bids received.
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION
While this IFB is under evaluation, the responding Vendor, including any subcontractors and suppliers, is prohibited from engaging
in conversations intended to influence the outcome of the evaluation. See Paragraph 29. of the Instructions to Vendors entitled
COMMUNICATOINS BY VENDORS
Each Vendor submitting a bid to this IFB, including its employees, agents, subcontractors, suppliers, subsidiaries and affiliates, is
prohibited from having any communications with any person inside or outside the using agency; issuing agency; other government
agency office or body (including the procurement lead named above, any department secretary, agency head, members of the
General Assembly and Governor's office); or private entity, if the communication refers to the content of Vendor's bid or
qualifications, the content of another Vendor's proposal, another Vendor's qualifications or ability to perform a resulting contract,
and/or the transmittal of any other communication of information that could be reasonably considered to have the effect of
directly or indirectly influencing the evaluation of proposals, the award of a contract, or both.
Any Vendor not in compliance with this provision shall be disqualified from evaluation and award. A Vendor's proposal may be
disqualified if its subcontractor and/or supplier engage in any of the foregoing communications during the time that the
procurement is active (i.e., the issuance date of the procurement until the date of contract award or cancellation of the
procurement). Only those discussions, communications or transmittals of information authorized or initiated by the issuing agency
for this IFB or inquiries directed to the procurement lead named in this IFB regarding requirements of the IFB (prior to proposal
submission) or the status of the award (after submission) are excepted from this provision.
3.3 BID EVALUATION PROCESS
Only responsive submissions will be evaluated.
The State will conduct an evaluation of responsive Bids, as follows:
Bids will be received according to the method stated in the Bid Submittal section above.
All bids must be received by the issuing agency not later than the date and time specified in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above,
unless modified by Addendum. Vendors are cautioned that this is a request for offers, not an offer or request to contract, and
the State reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all offers at any time if such rejection is deemed to be in the best
interest of the State.
At the date and time provided in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum, the bids from each
responding Vendor will be opened publicly and all offers (except those that have been previously withdrawn, or voided bids)
will be tabulated. The tabulation shall be made public at the time it is created. When negotiations after receipt of bids is
authorized pursuant to G.S. 143-49 and 01 NCAC 05B.0503, only the names of offerors and the Goods and Services offered
Ver: 11/2025 8