Using GTINs as the unique product identifier makes the procurement and bidding processes easier for both the district and the supplier. Most manufacturers and large distributors already use GDSN, so when a district adopts the GTIN as a required product identifier in its procurements, all parties are speaking the same “language” eliminating confusion as to which product is being requested and provided.

GDSN Connect provides tools to easily prepare a set of bid specification reports along with estimated quantities to attach to bids and RFPs. For each bid, users select a subset of items from their local Item Database as the starting point for the procurement, but they can also add items they do not yet procure from the larger N2F Database. To expand competition, users may optionally search for and include similar items as pre-approved “Equivalents” for inclusion on the bid if they do not want to rely on “Or Equal” language to meet procurement regulations. The bid spec containing GTINs can be published as an Excel file and/or PDF report to attach to the bid or RFP.

When suppliers respond with an item not on the pre-approved list—and provide the GTIN attributes as recommended or required by the solicitation—it is easy to compare the “salient requirements” of the new item side-by-side with the original item on the spec (along with passing a taste test) to objectively accept or reject the offering. In the example side-by-side comparison below, the proposed item has less sodium than the original items included on the spec, bringing to the district’s attention a potentially better product.

The Nourish to Flourish database also includes “generic equivalents” where labeling and specifications are defined as a Standard of Identity by appropriate governmental agencies. Similar to some USDA Foods purchases, specifying un- branded “generic equivalent” invites multiple products (and their appropriate GTINs) meeting that standard to be offered. Using GTINs and GDSN Connect for procurement allows districts to meet USDA procurement regulations, streamline their bid spec creation and evaluation processes, and simultaneously make it easier for suppliers to respond with the requested item or potentially lower cost items.

Farm to School

GDSN Connect can assist district’s Farm to School programs with the tools to integrate local Farm to School data with the existing BOH software systems to identify and track local purchases with unique codes. Working collaboratively, inTEAM consultants can develop weekly data feeds from farmers and produce distributors that contain availability and current pricing, and then communicate that information immediately to districts. GDSN Connect can also onboard local growers and small businesses with a simplified way to do business with schools using the mainstream menu planning and ordering processes already in place. These local vendor catalogs easily communicate product availability and pricing information to districts along with the required product attributes and flags.