Commodity Processing-Mozzarella Cheese for Pizza Products

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit competitive sealed proposals from qualified suppliers for the processing of USDA Commodity Mozzarella Cheese for Pizza products for the Utah Cooperative for Acquiring Resources Efficiently (UCARE) organization. It is anticipated that this RFP may result in a contract award to a single or multiple suppliers for such items and services, as defined further in the Proposal Requirements.

UCARE is currently a group of 23 school districts in the State of Utah. The Canyons School District (CSD) Purchasing Department is acting as the managing agency for UCARE’s food contracts. Qualifications, submittals, and subsequent proposals will be received by CSD on behalf of UCARE.

The supplier must propose products that are equal to or better than the products listed under each item on the Price Schedule. The supplier must provide SEPDS sheets, CN labeling, and/or product specification sheets for all products being quoted.

The estimated usage for the fiscal year’s diverted pounds from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028, is expected to be about 29,153 pounds. (Based on school year 2025-2026 usage) This is not a guaranteed amount, just an estimate. The Mozzarella Commodity Code is 110244.

Vendors are required to submit a monthly product velocity report to UCARE, attention Michelle McCombs, at the end of each month, and a yearly report at the end of each school year. This usage report is to include item description, total units purchased per item, and total cost per item.

The brand or trade name, manufacturer’s name, identification number, and CN label must be given on each case of merchandise sold to each school district. Products must have an equivalent item available for purchase through the UCARE distributor.

The grade must be specified for each product as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Proposal items will be disqualified that do not meet or exceed all specifications listed in the proposal. If a product is processed and it is later established that said product fails to comply with these specifications the item will be rejected and returned to the Supplier at the Supplier’s expense. Also, no furnished goods shall be older than last season’s pack.

**Submission:** Upload **required** attachments: *RFP Schedules A-E*, *Price Proposal* (Schedule F), *Certificate Regarding Lobbying*, food safety violations documentation, *Certification Regarding Public Contract Boycott Restrictions*, audit score documentation, and current SEPDS.

**Contract Pricing:** The contract will be a Firm Fixed Price Contract. All prices quoted must be firm for the contract year July 1 to June 30.

**Contract Period:** This agreement shall commence on the effective date of the contract after RFP award and continue for one (1) year. Each bid must include an option whereby UCARE, at its sole discretion, can extend the contract annually for up to four (4) additional years with the same terms, prices, and conditions set forth in this document and/or as negotiated between the successful supplier(s) and the procurement officer.

Scoring:

• 5 Points: Executive Summary (Schedule B)
• 10 Points: Qualifications/Experience (Schedule C)
• 10 Points: Detailed Response (Schedule D)
• 5 Points: References (Schedule E)
• 40 Points: Price Proposal (Schedule F)
• 30 Points: Product Samples, if required – Taste (10), Texture (10), Appearance (10)

**Samples** will be due January 6, 2027 no later than 3:00pm (MTN).