ADDENDUM NO. 3 ARMARK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

This is Addendum No. 3 containing questions and answers for the Town of Saugus School Committee's Request for Proposal for food service management. The RFP solicits a Food Service Management Company to operate the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and a la carte food services for the school district beginning in school year 2026-2027. Qualified vendors must demonstrate a minimum of one year of experience managing K-12 school food service programs 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. Critical deadlines include a mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference and facility tour on March 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM at 25 Dow Street, Saugus, MA 01906; written questions due by March 13, 2026 with responses provided by March 17, 2026; sealed Price and Non-Price proposal submissions due March 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM at 515 Main Street; contract award by April 9, 2026; and 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 contract 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 for contracts exceeding $100,000 if the FSMC operates the Summer Food Service Program. The RFP requires detailed financial projections including revenues from student meals, adult meals, and federal and state reimbursement rates calculated using USDA-provided formulas. All discounts, rebates, and applicable credits must be credited to the School Food Authority. Vendors must guarantee minimum lunch participation rates of 35 percent. No incumbent vendor information or set-aside designations are specified in the procurement materials.