Cost_Formula-reward_average_cost_for_RFP.docx

This document outlines cost formula methodologies used in scoring proposals, specifically detailing the "Reward Low Cost" scoring approach employed by the New Haven Board of Education Food and Nutrition Department for its Request for Proposals (RFP) for food items serving the 2026 summer year and 2026-27 school year in Connecticut. The RFP seeks suppliers for bread, dairy, meats, groceries, and related food items to support a program operating approximately 224 service days annually, serving between 17,500 and 19,000 meals per day across the school district.

The cost formula used in the evaluation process calculates proposal scores by dividing the lowest overall cost submitted by each individual proposal's cost, with the resulting percentage applied to the maximum available points for cost evaluation. For example, if the lowest proposal costs $100 and a competing proposal costs $200, that proposal would receive 50 percent of the available points. This methodology ensures that proposals with lower costs receive proportionally higher scores, incentivizing competitive pricing while allowing the evaluation committee to compare multiple submissions on a standardized basis.