NATCHITOCHES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
INSTRUCTIONS AND GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR BIDDERS
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS
 
Sealed bids will be received by the Natchitoches Parish School Board, 300 Parkway Drive, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457, June 21, 2022 until 2:00 p.m., on furnishing and delivering MILK PRODUCTS to all schools in Natchitoches Parish during the 2022 - 2023 school session, beginning with the first day of school following acceptance of bid and awarding of contract.  The public is invited to attend the opening.  The attached bid form must be used for submitting bids.
 
Note:  All bids shall be tightly sealed in opaque envelopes and
shall be properly identified as to contents and date of June 21, 2022 opening.
 
Bids shall be submitted as one price for all forms of milk per container.  The award will be based on the lowest total price.
 
A completed schedule of delivery times for each school must be submitted by the low bidder prior to July 31, 2022.  All deliveries must be made between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily to all schools located within the City of Natchitoches, and as required to schools outside the City. 
 
Escalation/De-Escalation Clause: All prices shall be firm for 30 days from the date of bid opening, after which prices for milk may escalate or de-escalate in accordance with changes in Class I raw milk process to the manufacturer; but at no time will the price be changed without first notifying the Child Nutrition Department in writing of such change.  Any change in price would commence on the first day of the month subsequent to notification.  For each full $.18 per hundred weight increase or decrease, the price shall increase or decrease $.0010 per half-pint container of milk.  Bid price shall be for the cost of raw milk for the current month of bid opening. 
 
Intent and Interpretation of Specifications: It is the intention of these specifications to procure milk and dairy products to meet the needs of the public schools.  Among the primary requirements are sanitation, quality, economy, and service.  Any evasion of any of the specific requirements to endanger these needs shall be cause for rejection.
 
Guarantee: All customary guarantees of quality and performance as specified by the producer or vendor for the particular items furnished shall apply to the items furnished under this proposal.
 
Inspection: Upon delivery to the designated school, inspection of each item will be made by the Child Nutrition Manager.  Acceptance of the item or items will be made after inspection determines that all requirements of the specifications are met.
 
Invoices: Invoices for the items delivered and accepted shall be submitted by the vendor IN DUPLICATE TO THE PLACE OF DELIVERY.
 
Statements: Monthly statements are to be mailed to the Natchitoches Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department, P.O. Box 16, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71458-0016.
 
Delivery: The bid price includes delivery of items with all transportation charges prepaid to the destination.  All items shall be delivered to the individual units on the days specified on the vendor’s delivery schedule and stacked in beverage boxes in an upright position.
 
Default of Contract: The Child Nutrition Department, represented by the Manager in each school, reserves the right to cancel any portion of the order which the vendor has failed to deliver at the time specified.
 
Subcontracting: It is within the discretion of the School Board to accept or reject subcontracting; however, in the event of subcontracting, the prime contractor shall be held totally responsible for the guarantee of product quality and vendor performance as specified in the contract.
 
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age or handicap.  If you believe you have been discriminated against, write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.
 
SPECIFICATIONS FOR MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS
 
All milk and dairy products shall meet federal and state specifications and Louisiana State Board of Health and local health board sanitation standards and regulations.  Milk shall be in well sealed container in clean master cases.  Milk container shall be free from spills, trash, and the odor of sour milk.  Material used shall be as specified on bid sheet.  All refrigerated milk and milk products shall be date coded and all items shall have at least seven (7) days remaining on the date code when delivered.  Refrigerated product temperatures shall not be more than 40 degrees F nor shall they be less than 32 degrees F.  At the time of each delivery, all milk in the milk box is to be placed on top of the milk delivered that day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Discrimination 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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.  To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, 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:  mail: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence A venue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.