01-26 EXHIBIT J SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM.pdf

This is an Exhibit J School Food Program document supporting a Request for Proposal issued by the Town of Saugus School Committee in Massachusetts for food service management operations. The Town of Saugus seeks a qualified Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to operate the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and a la carte food services across multiple schools beginning in school year 2026-2027. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of one year of experience managing K-12 school food service in comparable districts, employ a Food Service Director meeting USDA Professional Standards, and maintain a clean contracting history with no defaults on school food service contracts within the prior five years. The mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference and facility tour is scheduled for March 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM at 25 Dow Street, Saugus, MA 01906. Written questions are due by March 13, 2026 with responses provided by March 17, 2026. Sealed proposals (four copies each of Price and Non-Price submissions) must be submitted to the Town of Saugus DPW at 515 Main Street by March 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Contract award is anticipated by April 9, 2026, with executed contracts due by June 5, 2026. The initial contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options for up to two additional one-year renewals for a maximum three-year contract period.

The procurement operates as a cost-reimbursable structure whereby the FSMC will be reimbursed for direct costs including food, labor, and supplies, plus fixed Administrative and Management Fees, while guaranteeing a minimum financial return to the School Food Authority with any shortfall paid by the FSMC. A bid bond equal to 5 percent of total budgeted costs is required at submission, and performance bonds may be required if the FSMC operates the Summer Food Service Program for contracts exceeding $100,000. Vendors must guarantee a minimum lunch participation rate of 35 percent. Financial projections must be submitted through Schedule E, including detailed revenues from student meals, adult meals, and federal and state reimbursement rates calculated using USDA-provided formulas for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, with all discounts, rebates, and applicable credits credited to the School Food Authority. No set-aside designations, incumbent vendor information, or restrictions limiting responses to specific organization types are indicated in the procurement materials.