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This is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) document issued by the Mississippi Department of Education's Office of Child Nutrition for a training facility to host the Decide to Succeed Annual Training program for new cafeteria managers in the Greater Jackson Area (Hinds, Madison, or Rankin County). The facility must accommodate 100-110 participants per week and include one general meeting room, eleven individual classroom-style rooms, audiovisual equipment with technical support, janitorial services, and meal provisions. The vendor must host two consecutive one-week training sessions annually in June or July, with the initial sessions scheduled for June 1-5 and June 8-12, 2026. The contract term is five years, from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031. Bid submissions are due on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with bid opening at 2:00 p.m. the same day. Contract approval is scheduled for the State Board of Education on March 19, 2026, and the Public Procurement Review Board on April 1, 2026. Qualified bidders must demonstrate at least two years of experience in similar services and provide three references from the continental United States.

Pricing must be submitted as a total cost broken into specific categories including facility rental, audiovisual equipment, HVAC, groceries, supplies, and services, with no hidden fees permitted. A price adjustment of up to 5% or the annual Consumer Price Index increase may be allowed once per twelve-month period on the contract anniversary date. The contractor must secure a 100% performance bond for the annual contract amount and maintain workers' compensation and liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence. Vendors must be registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State or register within seven business days of award and must not be debarred from federal or state procurement. The vendor is required to participate in the National School Lunch Program. The estimated annual contract value ranges from $100,000 to $250,000 depending on specific costs for facility rental, meals, and associated services. The contract is contingent upon prior year performance evaluation and fund availability.