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Simplify K-12 Bid & RFP Management with GDSN Connect’s Procurement Hub

A smarter way to manage bids, product comparisons & USDA compliance with standardized GTIN-based procurement, automated bid specifications, and real-time compliance updates.

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Manage everything in one
centralized hub

Easily compare vendors and
make better choices

Stay compliant with real-
time updates

Leverage standardized
product specs

How the Procurement Hub Works in 4 Easy Steps

Search & Select Products
Using GTINs

Generate AI-Powered Bid
Specifications

Compare Vendors &
Evaluate Products

Award the Bid & Update
Your Catalog

STEP 1

Search & Select

Products Using GTINs

Instead of manually searching and verifying products, GTINs ensure you're picking the right items with complete, manufacturer-supplied data

  • Identify the products you need based on accurate, standardized GTIN data
  • Use pre-approved or equivalent products to increase vendor options
  • Ensure compliance with USDA nutrition and procurement standards

STEP 2

Generate AI-Powered

Bid Specifications

Instead of writing bid specs manually or copying from old ones, AI eliminates the guesswork and creates clear, vendor-friendly specifications

  • AI auto-generates bid specs using key product attributes (nutrients, allergens, meal pattern credits)
  • Set acceptable ranges for sodium, sugar, portion size,
and other key factors
  • Ensure bid specs meet procurement and USDA
regulatory requirements

STEP 3

Compare Vendor Responses
& Evaluate Products

Eliminate ambiguity—no more vendors submitting vague responses. Schools get direct, data-backed comparisons to choose the best option.

  • Vendors submit GTIN-based bids with detailed
product attributes
  • Side-by-side product comparisons eliminate ambiguity
  • Identify better options with lower sodium, better
pricing, or compliant ingredients

STEP 4

Award the Bid & Update
Your Catalog

Instead of starting over each year, districts build a smarter, reusable procurement system that saves time and reduces errors.

  • Select the best vendor and finalize contracts
  • Use the Upload Wizard to match awarded vendor catalogs with GTIN-based products
  • Keep a digital audit trail for future orders and USDA compliance

Automated Procurement and
Product Updates

Receive real-time manufacturer updates on nutrition and product specifications
Get automated alerts for USDA compliance changes and ingredient reformulations
Store all procurement records in one centralized location for auditing and reporting

FEATURE

  • GTIN-Based Bidding
  • Find & Compare Equivalent Items
  • AI-Generated Item Specs
  • Vendor Response Comparisons
  • Awarded Bid Management
  • OLD

Traditional Procurement 

  • Manual data entry
  • Hard to find alternative products
  • Time-consuming
  •  Hard to evaluate
  • Manual contract tracking
  • NEW

GDSN Connect

  • Automated GTIN matching
  • Search pre-approved equivalents
  • Auto-generated bid specs
  • Side-by-side GTIN comparisons
  • Automated vendor catalog uploads

Upgrade Now & Take Control of
Your Procurement Process

With over 200,000 standardized productspecifications, GDSN Connect ensures districts, co-ops, and state agencies get the best products at the best prices—without the manual hassle.

Schedule Demo