Request for Proposals

RFP 2710-001

Mobile Grocer and Farm Stand Services

October 6, 2026

Contact: Central Health Purchasing Office 1111 E. Cesar Chavez St. Austin, TX 78702 Phone: 512-978-8599 Email: Kristal.Hernandez@centralhealth.net

PROPOSALS DUE: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Central Time

RFP 2710-001/Mobile Grocer and Farm Stand Services P a g e 2

Request for Proposals

RFP # 2710-001 Mobile Grocer and Farm Stand Services

Procurement Schedule

Action Date Time Responsibility Location / Details

Solicitation Issue Date Tuesday, October 6, 2026 5:00 PM Central Health Bidnet and Electronic State Business Daily

("ESBD")

Site Visit (if applicable) N/A N/A Central Health N/A

Pre-Proposal Conference (optional)

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 2:00 PM Central Health MS Teams Link will be posted to Bidnet

Question Submittal Thursday, October 22, 2026 5:00 PM Proposers Bidnet or CHpurchasingDL@centralhealth.net

Question Response Monday, October 26, 2026 5:00 PM Central Health Bidnet and ESBD

Proposal Submission Tuesday, November 3, 2026 2:00 PM Proposers Bidnet or 1111 E. Cesar Chavez, Austin TX 78702

Proposals received after the Proposal Submission time at the designated location will not be considered.

Protest Deadline See Section II.I Proposers

Initial Contract Duration: 1 Year

Contract Renewal: Optional - Four (4) one-year renewal periods after initial term

Proposals and Prices Good for: 90 days

Multiple Awards: To be determined based on responses.

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PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

Proposers should note that this Request for Proposals (RFP) is published and accessible through electronic means. Proposers who received notification of this solicitation by means other than through any of the three websites listed below should register with Bidnet in order to receive timely notification of any addenda, amendment, and/or other forms of information that may be issued prior to the solicitation submittal date:

http://www.centralhealth.net/finance/purchasing https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/traviscountyhealthcaredistrictdbacentralhealth

Registration is free.

Proposal Submissions: Proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposals online via Bidnet.

Submission via Bidnet is the preferred method of submission.

A secondary option is to deliver one (1) printed Proposal via USPS mail, FedEx, DHL, etc.

DUE TO STAFF HYBRID WORK SCHEDULES AND CURRENT BUILDING ACCESS

RESTRICTIONS, IF YOU PLAN TO DELIVER A PRINTED COPY TO THE PURCHASING OFFICE,

YOU MUST CONTACT THE PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY PRIOR TO DELIVERY. The printed Proposal with any supporting and/or sample documentation must be delivered in a sealed container that is labeled and addressed as follows:

Attn: RFP 2710-001/Mobile Grocer and Farm Stand Central Health - Purchasing Office 1111 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78702

Should a Proposer submit both a proposal via Bidnet and deliver a printed Proposal, the Bidnet submitted Proposal will be the proposal of record and will be used for the purposes of the RFP. Proposals submitted in a format other than 1) online via Bidnet or 2) delivery of a printed proposal to the address above will not be considered.

It is the Proposer’s sole responsibility to ensure that it obtains any and all addenda and/or amendments to this RFP; addenda and amendments will be posted on Bidnet the day they are released.

In the event of a conflict between a version of the RFP in the Proposer’s possession and the version maintained by Central Health, the version maintained by Central Health will control.

All Proposals will be submitted and/or delivered on or before the closing date and time for receipt of Proposals. Proposals received at the designated location after the published time and date will not be considered.

http://www.centralhealth.net/finance/purchasing

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Entity Background B. Purpose of Request for Proposals C. Procurement Authority D. Definition of Terminology A. Pre-proposal Conference B. Deadline to Submit Questions C. Response to Written Questions D. Submission of Proposal E. Proposal Evaluation F. Selection of Finalists G. Interviews of Short-listed Finalists H. Contract Award I. Protest Deadline

III. PROPOSER RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

A. Rights

Amending Proposals Withdrawing Proposals Designating Proposal Contents as Confidential or Proprietary

B. Obligations

1. Conditions and Contract Terms Associated with RFP

2. Costs Associated with Procurement

3. Electronic Mail Address

4. Identification and Selection of Subcontractors

5. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and Good Faith Effort

6. Suspension and Debarment Certification

7. Conflict-of-Interest Questionnaire (CIQ Form)

8. Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295)

9. Good-Faith Negotiations

IV. CENTRAL HEALTH RIGHTS

Summary of Rights

Reject any or all Proposals without obligation or liability to any Proposer;

Accept a Proposal other than the lowest-price Proposal (as applicable);

3. Award a Contract on the basis of an initial Proposal received without discussions or requests for Best and Final Offers;

4. Request Best and Final Offers from any or all Proposers;

Procure the Services in whole or in part by other means;

6. Award more than one Contract; and/or Not award any Contract

Termination of RFP C. Waive Minor Irregularities D. RFP Amendments E. Negotiate Additional Contract Terms F. Accept Contract Deviations G. Investigate Proposers H. Request Change in Proposer Representatives I. Assert Ownership of Proposals

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V. PROPOSAL FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION

A. Proposal Format

Proposal Organization Letter of Transmittal – Required Table of Contents - Optional Proposal Summary - Optional Response to Narrative Prompts - Required Completed and Signed Acknowledgement of Receipt Form - Required Completed Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Form - Required Completed and Signed Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ) – Required upon selection Completed and Signed Certificate of Secretary – Required if Proposer is a corporation Completed Insurance Coverage Form - Required Other (optional) supporting material (may be included)

VI. PROPOSAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

A. Pass/Fail Criteria B. Narrative Prompts/Evaluation Criteria C. Evaluation Process

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

Attached

N/A

Attached

Exhibit A: Scope of Work

Exhibit B: Price/Cost

Exhibit C: Acknowledgement of Receipt

Exhibit D: Business Development Form

Exhibit E: Conflict of Interest Questionnaire

Exhibit F: Certificate of Secretary

Exhibit G: Sample Contract with Required Contracts Terms and Conditions

Exhibit H: Business Associate Agreement

Exhibit I: Certificate of Interested Parties

Exhibit J: Not Used

Exhibit K: Insurance Coverage

Exhibit L: Not Used N/A

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. Entity Background The Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central Health (“Central Health” or the “district”) is a hospital district created under Chapter 281 of the Texas Health and Safety Code that is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of hospital and medical care to low-income residents of Travis County. Central Health’s mission is to improve the health of the community by caring for those who need it most – particularly the uninsured and underinsured.

Central Health is making healthcare better through the direct practice of medicine, partnerships and collaborations with other providers, and building facilities to provide care in the communities most in need. The district’s Healthcare Equity Plan, adopted in early 2022, is guiding up to $700 million in investments to close the gaps that persist throughout the safety-net healthcare system.

Central Health owns Sendero Health Plans, a community nonprofit insurer that covers members through the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace. Central Health clinical partner, CommUnityCare Health Centers, is a federally qualified health center network with more than 27 primary care locations throughout Central Texas. A network of partners, including Integral Care (behavioral health), Lone Star Circle of Care (a Federally Qualified Health Center), and the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, help Central Health extend services deeper into the community.

B. Purpose of Request for Proposals Central Health is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to provide community-based mobile and/or pop-up fresh food market services and related nutrition-access supports at designated Central Health locations and other approved community sites in Travis County, Texas. The intent of this solicitation is to establish a reliable, accessible, and measurable food-access service that connects Central Health patients and community members to affordable fresh foods while strengthening access to federal nutrition benefits, nutrition incentives, local and regional food systems, and related community resources.

C. Procurement Authority Central Health has designated a Procurement Authority who is responsible for the conduct of this procurement on behalf of Central Health; therefore, all deliveries (including Proposal delivery) shall be addressed as follows:

RFP 2710-001/ Mobile Grocer and Farm Stand Central Health – Purchasing Office 1111 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78702 CHPurchasingDL@centralhealth.net

Any inquiries or requests regarding this procurement should be submitted to the Procurement Authority as identified on Bidnet and Central Health’s Website:

http://www.centralhealth.net/finance/purchasing. Inquiries must reference the solicitation number on any and all correspondence. Proposers shall ONLY contact the Procurement

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Authority regarding this procurement. Proposers shall NOT contact individual Central Health Board Members, Central Health executive team leaders or staff regarding this solicitation. Such contact may result in disqualification of the Proposer initiating the contact.

D. Definition of Terminology This section contains definitions and abbreviations that are used throughout this procurement document.

“BAFO” request for a Best and Final Offer.

"Bidnet Website" is the following link:

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/traviscountyhealthcaredistrictdbacentralhealth

"Central Health Website" is the following link:

http://www.centralhealth.net/finance/purchasing.

"Close of Business (COB)" means 5:00 PM Prevailing Central Time.

"Contract" means a written agreement for the procurement of items of tangible personal property or services.

"Determination" means the written documentation of a decision by the Procurement Authority, including findings of fact supporting a decision. A Determination becomes part of the procurement file.

"Desirable" means that the terms “may”, “can”, “should”, “preferably”, or “prefers” identify a Desirable or discretionary item or factor (as opposed to “Mandatory”).

“Duly Authorized Representative” means the individual who is authorized to submit a Proposal to this RFP on behalf of Proposer and to bind the Proposer to any Contract that may result from the Submission of Proposal.

“ESBD” is the Electronic State Business Daily at the following link:

https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

"Evaluation Committee" means a body appointed by Central Health management to perform the evaluation of Proposals.

"Evaluation Committee Report" means a document prepared by the Procurement Authority and the Evaluation Committee for Contract/s award. It contains all written Determinations resulting from the RFP.

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"Finalist" is defined as a Proposer who meets all the Mandatory specifications of this Request for Proposals and whose score on evaluation factors is sufficiently high to merit further consideration by the Evaluation Committee.

"Mandatory" means that the terms “must”, “shall”, “will”, “is required”, or “are required” identify a Mandatory item or factor (as opposed to “Desirable”). Failure to meet a Mandatory item or factor will result in the rejection of the Proposer's Proposal.

“Principal” is a person in charge of an organization who takes leadership.

"Proposer" is any person, entity, corporation, or partnership that submits a Proposal.

"Procurement Authority" means a person or designee authorized by Central Health to manage or administer a procurement requiring the evaluation of the RFP Proposal.

"Request for Proposal" or “RFP” means all documents, including Attachments and Exhibits, which are hereby incorporated by reference and considered a part of the Proposals.

"Responsible Proposer" means a Proposer who submits a Proposal and who has furnished, when required, information and data to prove that on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications, its financial resources, production and service facilities, personnel, service reputation and experience are adequate to satisfactorily perform the Services or provide items of tangible personal property described in the Proposal.

"Responsive Proposal” means a Proposal that includes all required documentation and conforms in all material respects to the requirements set forth in the Request for Proposals. The Proposal to this Request for Proposals must include responsive information, which support the Proposer’s competence, qualifications, and ability to perform the Services, including, but not limited to, quality, quantity, and delivery requirements.

“Timely Response” means the potential vendor or contracted vendor will respond to all requests from the Procurement Authority or any Central Health representative by the deadlines provided in the request. Vendor may propose an alternative deadline to the Procurement Authority, but the decision whether or not to extend any deadline is solely within the discretion of Central Health. Failure to respond timely to requests may be grounds for invalidating a bid or canceling an awarded contract.

II. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

This section of the RFP describes all major events listed in the RFP Schedule. The Procurement Authority will make every effort to adhere to the Procurement Schedule set forth in this RFP.

A. Pre-proposal Conference

If a pre-proposal meeting is held the date and time of that conference will be noted in the Procurement Schedule on page 2 of this RFP. Conference call and video conference information

P a g e 9 will be available the day before the meeting and will be posted on Bidnet and Central Health’s website.

B. Deadline to Submit Questions All Proposers are expected to carefully examine this RFP. Any ambiguities or inconsistencies therein should be brought to the attention of the Procurement Authority as described in this RFP.

Additionally, it is the responsibility of the Proposer to obtain clarification of any information contained herein that is not fully understood. Proposers may submit written questions via Bidnet.

C. Response to Written Questions Written responses to all questions submitted by potential Proposers will be addressed in either a RFP addendum or question and answer document that will be posted on Bidnet by Close of Business per the Question Response Date as indicated in the Procurement Schedule on page 2 of this RFP.

Any verbal statement made by Central Health regarding the RFP prior to the award will be considered non-binding. The only formal interpretation of the RFP will be made by addendum or a question-and-answer document issued by the Procurement Authority.

D. Submission of Proposal The Procurement Authority or designee must receive all proposals for review and evaluation no later than 2:00 PM Central Time per the Proposal Submission Date as indicated in the Procurement Schedule on page 2 of this RFP. Proposals received after this deadline will not be accepted. Refer to Proposal Instructions on page 3 of this RFP for Proposal Submission instructions.

Proposals submitted via Bidnet (preferred method), Bidnet.com will automatically record the date and time of receipt of each correctly submitted Proposal.

The date and time of receipt will be recorded on each printed Proposal. The Proposal must be addressed and delivered to the Procurement Authority in a sealed container at the address listed in 1.C above. Proposals submitted by facsimile or other electronic means will not be accepted.

A public log will be kept of the names of all organizations that submit a Proposal. Unless required by law, the contents of any Proposal will not be disclosed to competing Proposers prior to Contract award.

E. Proposal Evaluation The Evaluation Committee will evaluate the Proposals. The Procurement Authority may initiate discussions with Proposers who submit Responsive or potentially Responsive Proposals, but Proposals may be accepted and evaluated without such discussion. Any resulting clarifications will be issued to all Proposers. While Proposers may initiate requests for clarifications pursuant to above, general discussions SHALL NOT be initiated by the Proposers. The Evaluation Committee will evaluate and score written Proposals using the evaluation criteria identified in

P a g e 10 section VII. EVALUATION CRITERIA.

F. Selection of Finalists The selection process may be conducted in two steps. In step one, the Evaluation Committee will evaluate and score written Proposals using the evaluation criteria identified in section VII.

EVALUATION CRITERIA. Based on the scoring in step one, the Evaluation Committee, as step two, may develop a “short list” of Proposers who may be invited to interview or provide a demonstration with the Evaluation Committee. Only "short listed" Finalists will be considered for further evaluation and invited to participate in the subsequent steps of the procurement process.

G. Interviews of Short-listed Finalists Based on step one of the selection process, Central Health, at its sole discretion, may determine that it is necessary to interview or request a demonstration from the short-listed finalists prior to making a recommendation to ask for a Best and Final Offer (“BAFO”) or to recommend Contract award. If Central Health desires to conduct interviews/demonstrations, short-listed finalists will be invited to present their Proposals to the Evaluation Committee. The purpose of interviews/demonstrations, if conducted, is to ensure the Evaluation Committee’s understanding of the Proposals and Proposer’s qualifications, as well as, to evaluate the Proposer’s team under the criteria set forth in section VII. EVALUATION CRITERIA. When conducted, interview/demonstration scores will be used as an additional consideration for recommendation and award of a Contract. The Procurement Authority will schedule the time for each Proposer presentation, if applicable. All Proposer presentations will be held as virtual, conference call presentations. Each interviewee will have time to present followed by a question/answer period from the evaluation team. Time limits for the presentation and question/answer period will be determined by Central Health. The selected interviewees will receive an official Interview/Demonstration Invitation letter with the meeting information and duration defined.

H. Contract Award Central Health may but is not obligated to award one or more Contracts to the Proposer/s that best satisfies Central Health’s requirements and provides the best overall value to Central Health for the Scope of Work.

As of the date of issuance, a single award is contemplated.

I. Protest Deadline Protest of Contract award by a Proposer that was not recommended for same must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Authority within ten (10) calendar days after Central Health notifies Proposers of a Contract award. The written protest must clearly set forth the arguments supporting the protest and, if desired, should include a request for an expedited hearing with the Procurement Authority. The Procurement Authority will rule on the protest in writing within ten

(10) business days from the date it receives the written protest and any hearing. Any appeal of the Procurement Authority’s decision must be made within ten (10) calendar days after receipt thereof and submitted to the Procurement Authority, who will present the matter for final

P a g e 11 resolution to the Central Health President and CEO or his/her designee. The Proposer will be notified of the time and place the appeal is to be heard and afforded an opportunity to present evidence to the Central Health President and CEO or his/her designee in support of the appeal.

Central Health's decision on appeal is final.

Protests received after the deadline will not be accepted.

III. PROPOSER RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

A. Rights Amending Proposals

Any Proposer may submit an amended Proposal before the deadline for receipt of Proposals.

Such amended Proposals must be complete replacements for a previously submitted Proposal and must be clearly identified as such in the transmittal letter. Central Health will not merge, collate, or assemble Proposal materials.

Withdrawing Proposals Proposers will be allowed to withdraw their Proposals at any time prior to the deadline for receipt of Proposals. To withdraw a Proposal, the Proposer must submit a written withdrawal request signed by the Proposer’s Duly Authorized Representative and addressed to the Procurement Authority.

Designating Proposal Contents as Confidential or Proprietary Proposers may mark, stamp, or imprint the words “proprietary” or “confidential” on any pages of the Proposal that include information of this type. However, Proprietary or confidential information should be readily separable from the Proposal in order to facilitate eventual public inspection of the other portions of the Proposal. Central Health will not sort, otherwise isolate, or redact proprietary or confidential information embedded within the body of a Proposal.

B. Obligations

1. Conditions and Contract Terms Associated with RFP Proposers must indicate their acceptance of all conditions governing the RFP in their letter of transmittal. However, a Proposer’s failure to do so will not operate to exempt Proposer from these conditions, as the act of submission itself constitutes acceptance of the conditions, including the evaluation criteria contained in section VII. EVALUATION CRITERIA of this RFP.

Additionally, Proposers must agree to include the terms contained within Exhibit G – Sample Contract with Required Contract Terms and Conditions, which is incorporated in this RFP, in any Contract that results from this RFP and to execute the Business Associate Agreement contained within Exhibit H, of this RFP.

2. Costs Associated with Procurement Any and all costs incurred by the Proposer in preparation, transmittal, and presentation of any Proposal or material submitted in response to this RFP will be borne solely by the Proposer.

3. Electronic Mail Address

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A large part of the communication regarding this procurement will be conducted by electronic mail (e-mail). Therefore, all Proposers must have a valid e-mail address to receive correspondence.

4. Identification and Selection of Subcontractors The term “subcontractor” includes sub-consultants. Proposer’s intended use of subcontractors must be clearly explained in its Proposals, and major subcontractors must be identified by name.

The awarded Proposer will be wholly responsible for the entire performance of the Contract, whether or not subcontractors are used, and Proposer expressly acknowledges that in entering into such subcontract(s), Central Health is in no manner liable to any subcontractor(s). Awarded Proposer further acknowledges that Central Health will make Contract payments only to the awarded Proposer.

5. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and Good Faith Effort Proposers are asked to make a "good faith effort" to take all necessary and reasonable steps to ensure that certified HUBs (see next paragraph) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of any Contract that results from this RFP as subcontractors.

HUB contractors and subcontractors must be certified as a HUB, Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises, or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise source by a recognized governmental program, such as:

• City of Austin Municipal Government;

• Texas Unified Certification Program; or

• State of Texas; or

• Other certification entity recognized by Travis County, Texas

Any subcontractor who Proposer intends to subcontract with at the time of Proposal submission and that is identified, as a HUB will be required to submit a copy of its certification with this Proposal. Central Health reserves the right to verify any entity's HUB status prior to Contract award.

6. Suspension and Debarment Certification The Proposer will certify, by signing the Acknowledgement of Receipt Form, attached hereto as Exhibit C, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that the Proposer and/or its Principals or subcontractors are not and have not been debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment or declared ineligible for the award of Contracts by any federal department or district.

7. Conflict-of-Interest Questionnaire (CIQ Form) Pursuant to Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code, the awarded Proposer, if any, will be required to complete the Conflict-of-Interest Questionnaire ("CIQ"), which is attached to this RFP as Exhibit E, and submit it together with the Contract, if the Proposer has: (i) an employment or other business relationship with a local government officer of Central Health or a family member of same; (ii) given a local government officer of Central Health or a family member of same one or more gifts having an aggregate value as specified in Exhibit E or (iii) has a family

P a g e 13 relationship with a local government officer of Central Health. For additional information concerning filling out the CIQ, see https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/forms/conflict/.

8. Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295) Section 2252.908 of the Texas Government Code prohibits a governmental entity, like Central Health, from entering into certain Contracts, unless the business entity submits a Certificate of Interested Parties form, attached to this RFP as EXHIBIT I, to the governmental entity at the time the business entity executes a Contract. Form 1295 is applicable to any of awarded Proposer’s directors, officers, or employees who hold a controlling interest (10% or more ownership) in the business entity and who actively participated in facilitating the Contract or negotiating the terms of same (broker, intermediary, advisor, and/or attorney), if any.

The Proposer for such Contract award will be required to electronically file a Form 1295 with the Texas Ethics Commission upon notification of selection from Central Health. The online filing process will generate a Certificate Number and Date Filed. The Proposer will submit that information Central Health as part of its contract.

For more information, visit:

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/

9. Good-Faith Negotiations The Procurement Authority or designee will participate in all discussions with Proposers.

Discussions will only be conducted with responsible Proposers who submit Responsive Proposals to the RFP, which are determined to be reasonably acceptable of being selected for award. Those Proposers will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of Proposals. Proposers may be required to submit additional information and/or clarify previously submitted information during negotiations.

Revisions and supplements to Proposals may also be permitted after submission and before Contract award for the purpose of obtaining BAFOs in Central Health’s sole discretion. Any BAFO, as well as the entire Proposal, will become part of Central Health’s awarded Contract.

Central Health reserves the right to negotiate the price and any other term with any, all, or none of the Proposers. Any oral negotiations must be confirmed in writing prior to an award.

IV. CENTRAL HEALTH RIGHTS

Summary of Rights Central Health may:

Reject any or all Proposals without obligation or liability to any Proposer;

Accept a Proposal other than the lowest-price Proposal (as applicable);

3. Award a Contract on the basis of an initial Proposal received without discussions or requests for Best and Final Offers;

4. Request Best and Final Offers from any or all Proposers;

Procure the Services in whole or in part by other means;

6. Award more than one Contract; and/or Not award any Contract.

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/forms/conflict/ https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/

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Termination of RFP This RFP may be canceled at any time and any and all Proposals may be rejected in whole or in part if Central Health determines such action to be in Central Health’s best interest.

C. Waive Minor Irregularities The Evaluation Committee reserves the right to waive minor irregularities (e.g. Proposer submits the incorrect number of Proposal copies or does not sign all Proposal copies) in the Proposals.

The Evaluation Committee also reserves the right to waive certain, non-mandatory requirements contained herein if the Proposal otherwise meets the mandatory requirements and/or waiving the minor irregularity does not otherwise materially affect the procurement. This right may be exercised at the Evaluation Committee’s sole discretion.

D. RFP Amendments Central Health reserves the right to issue amendments to this RFP before the date on which Proposals are due.

E. Negotiate Additional Contract Terms Central Health reserves the right to modify and negotiate with a successful Proposer provision in addition to those attached to this RFP. The contents of this RFP, as revised and/or supplemented, and the successful Proposer's Proposal will be incorporated into and become part of the Contract.

F. Accept Contract Deviations Any additional terms and conditions, which may be the subject of negotiation, will be discussed only between Central Health and the selected Proposer and will not be deemed an opportunity to amend the Proposer’s Proposal. If a Proposer requests significant changes to either the required Contract terms or the terms of the Business Associate Agreement, Proposer’s Proposal may be considered non-Responsive and result in Proposers’ disqualification or, if such changes are requested post-Proposal submission in violation of this RFP, will result in termination of negotiations and Contract award.

G. Investigate Proposers The Evaluation Committee and/or Central Health Purchasing staff may make such investigations as necessary to determine the qualifications and ability of the Proposer to adhere to the requirements specified within this RFP. The Evaluation Committee will reject any Proposal that is submitted by a Proposer who it deems unqualified or who otherwise fails to submit a responsive Proposal. Central Health may also investigate a Proposer’s prior contract relationships, contact references provided by Proposer, and explore and consider prior public statements or actions by a Proposer or any of its key personnel that may be relevant to the performance of the tasks in the RFP or the ability of the Proposer to perform such tasks. Further, Central Health reserves the right to evaluate Proposers’ information technology security throughout the solicitation and contracting process. Failure to meet any security requirement may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

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H. Request Change in Proposer Representatives Central Health reserves the right to require a change in the representatives that Proposer submits with the Proposal, if the assigned representatives are not, in the opinion of Central Health, able to adequately meet Central Health’s needs.

I. Assert Ownership of Proposals All documents submitted in response to this Request for Proposals will become the property of Central Health.

V. PROPOSAL FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION

This section of the RFP describes the format and organization of the Proposer's Proposal. Failure to conform to the requirements contained herein may result in disqualification of the Proposal.

A. Proposal Format All Proposals, electronic or printed, must delineate each section. The page limit should be no more than forty (40) pages (20 front/back if printed) not including tabs and required forms (see item B. below), or as further instructed in this RFP. If submitting a printed Proposal, the Proposal must be in a binder with tabs delineating each section.

Proposal Organization The Proposal must be organized and indexed in the following format and must contain, as a minimum, all items that are listed as required in the sequence indicated.

Letter of Transmittal – Required

• Identify the submitting organization;

• Identify the name, title, e-mail address and telephone number of the person authorized to contractually obligate the organization or individual proposing;

• Identify the name, title, e-mail address, and telephone number of the person authorized to negotiate a Contract on behalf of the organization;

• Identify the names, titles, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of persons to be contacted for Proposal clarification;

• Explicitly indicate acceptance of Sections II through IV of this RFP;

• Be signed by the person authorized to contractually obligate the organization; and

• Acknowledge receipt of all, if any, addenda to this RFP.

Table of Contents - Optional Proposal Summary - Optional Response to Narrative Prompts – Required Completed Exhibit B (PRICING SHEET) – Required Food Safety Certifications (as described in V.A.) - Required Completed and Signed Acknowledgement of Receipt Form - Required Completed Business Development Form - Required Completed and Signed Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ) – Required upon selection Completed and Signed Certificate of Secretary – Required if Proposer is a corporation

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Completed Insurance Coverage Form - Required Other (optional) supporting material (may be included)

The forms listed behind the numbers 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 must be thoroughly completed, executed and witnessed, if and as required, and included in the appropriate section of the Proposal.

Proposals must include all Attachments and Exhibits in order to be considered Responsive.

Any Proposal that does not adhere to these requirements may be deemed non-responsive and rejected on that basis.

VI. PROPOSAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

Proposers shall respond in the form of a detailed narrative to each of the narrative prompts contained in Item A below and based on information provided in in Exhibit A: Scope of Work and Exhibit B: Price/Cost. The narratives, along with supporting materials, will be evaluated and awarded points accordingly.

Failure to respond to the following mandatory narrative prompts will result in disqualification of the Proposal as non-responsive.

A. Pass/Fail Criteria Proposers who do not certify they meet the criteria set forth below will be disqualified from evaluation:

CRITERIA ANSWER Yes / No SNAP/EBT Capability Vendor must be authorized to accept SNAP/EBT by service launch or provide an acceptable implementation plan and evidence that authorization will be secured before services begin.

Yes / No

Food Safety Vendor must hold certifications and comply with applicable federal, state, and local food safety, handling, storage, transportation, permitting, and inspection requirements.

Copies of any relevant certifications held must be included in the proposal.

Yes / No

B. Narrative Prompts/Evaluation Criteria

Item EVALUATION CRITERIA Point Values

1.

Food Access & Mobile Market Model Reliability and quality of proposed recurring market model;

affordability; product variety/freshness; staffing/logistics; multi-site capacity; contingency planning; customer experience.

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• What capabilities and resources will be used to operate dependable recurring markets at multiple community locations?

• Provide proposed product mix pricing approach.

• Detail staffing, logistics, equipment, food safety, contingency planning, and implementation.

2.

SNAP, Nutrition Incentives & Benefits Access SNAP/EBT capability; programs and incentive strategies to maximize customer purchasing power; ease of customer use; staff training; SNAP education; application assistance or strong referral/warm-hand off pathway.

• Describe your ability to provide SNAP/EBT or similar food assistant benefits.

• Do you offer incentives or discounts to help customers purchase fresh, healthy food?

• How do you make the process easy for customers to use?

• Do you provide staff training on available benefits and incentives?

• Do you provide customers with information application assistance about available food assistance?

3.

Local Sourcing & Food-Systems Partnerships Meaningful Texas/Central Texas sourcing; established grower/producer relationships; support for local/small/emerging producers; transparency of sourcing; seasonal/supply resilience.

• Describe your Texas/Central Texas sourcing and relationships with local vendors.

• How do you support local and small vendors?

• How do you maintain product availability throughout the year and provide transparency about product sourcing?

4.

Community Outreach & Engagement Bilingual outreach; community partnerships; event support;

referral/customer service strategy; culturally responsive communications; ability to build participation.

• Do you provide bilingual outreach and communication?

• Describe your community partnerships and outreach experience.

• How do you support community events and encourage community participation?

5.

Equitable Access & Innovation Strategies for transportation, mobility, disability, scheduling, geographic and technology barriers; delivery/pickup/ordering options;

accessibility and adaptability.

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• How do you address transportation, accessibility, scheduling, geographic, and technology barriers, including delivery, pickup, or ordering options?

6.

Experience & Organizational Capacity Relevant past performance; qualified staff; food safety and operational systems; implementation readiness; financial/organizational capacity;

references.

• Describe experience, staff qualifications, and food safety and operating procedures.

• Describe your organization process to provide services.

7.

Data, Outcomes & Reporting Ability to provide reliable utilization, SNAP/incentive, sourcing, outreach, customer feedback and impact data; quality improvement approach.

Describe the methodology your company uses to report program measures consistently and accurately.

Provide any customer-focused continuous improvement plan examples.

• Describe your program’s reliability to utilize, snap/incentive, sourcing, outreach, customer feedback and impact data; quality improvement approach.

• Describe the methodology your company uses to report program measures consistently and accurately.

• Provide any customer-focused continuous improvement plan examples.

8.

Cost & Overall Value Reasonableness, transparency, sustainability, and completeness of pricing relative to proposed service level and overall value.

• Describe the transparence, reasonable, and ongoing pricing for your services of the overall value.

Total Possible Points 100

Demo/Interview, if requested 10

C. Evaluation Process

1. Proposals will be reviewed for compliance with the above criteria for this solicitation.

Proposals deemed non-responsive will be eliminated from further consideration.

2. The Procurement Authority may contact the Proposer for clarification of the Proposal as specified in above.

3. The Evaluation Committee may use other sources of information to perform the evaluation as specified in Proposal Evaluation.

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4. Responsive Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria set forth in the table above. The Responsive and Responsible Proposers with the highest scores may be selected as short-listed Finalists. Said short-listed Finalists may be invited to present their Proposals to the Evaluation

5. Committee. Points awarded from the interviews, if any, will be added to Proposer’s overall score.

6. The Proposer whose Proposal is most advantageous to Central Health, taking into consideration the stated EVALUATION CRITERIA, may be recommended for Contract award as specified in above. Proposers who are asked or chosen to submit a revised Proposal for the purpose of obtaining Best and Final Offers may have their points recalculated accordingly. Please note however, that a serious deficiency in the initial Proposal may be grounds for rejection regardless of overall score.

7. Proposers or potential contracted vendors will respond to all requests by the Central Health Purchasing Office within the deadline and timeframe provided in the request. Proposers or potential contracted vendors may propose an alternative deadline to the Procurement Authority, but the decision whether or not to extend any deadline is solely within the discretion of Central Health. Failure to respond by the given deadline may result in proposer being deemed non-responsive.

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EXHIBIT A

SCOPE OF WORK

MOBILE GROCER AND FARM STAND

1. Background and Purpose

Central Health's Health & Wellness model includes community-based services and partnerships intended to reduce barriers that affect health and access to care. Food access is a key social and health-related need for many residents served by Central Health.

Central Health currently supports community food-access activities at Health & Wellness Center locations. Through this RFP, Central Health intends to competitively procure a vendor capable of operating recurring fresh food access services that are affordable, community-centered, operationally dependable, and integrated with available nutrition assistance programs.

The selected vendor will be expected to work collaboratively with Central Health staff, community partners, and site operations teams. The vendor should be capable of adapting market schedules, outreach approaches, product mix, and access strategies in response to community needs and program performance.

2. Contract Objectives

Increase access to healthy food: Increase convenient access to fresh, nutritious, affordable food in communities experiencing economic and/or geographic food-access barriers.

Create an accessible, welcoming farmers market experience: Provide a farmers market-style experience that is open and accessible to Central Health patients, clients, staff, and community members, where participants can select and purchase healthy foods, apply nutrition education in a real-world setting, interact with local food providers, and build confidence in making healthy food choices.

Build trust and connection to Central Health: Use recurring markets as a welcoming entry point into Central Health spaces, creating positive and consistent opportunities for patients, clients, staff, and community members to become familiar with Health & Wellness Centers and the broader services and resources available to them.

Create opportunities for new engagement and intake: Leverage market participation and outreach to engage individuals who may not already be connected to Central Health, provide information about available health, wellness, benefits, and community resources, and create appropriate pathways for new screenings, referrals, navigation, and service intake.

Provide reliable recurring markets: Provide dependable recurring mobile or pop-up market services at Central Health-approved locations.

Maximize SNAP purchasing power: Accept SNAP/EBT and maximize eligible customers' purchasing power through Double Up Food Bucks or a comparable produce-incentive program.

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Connect residents to benefits: Provide SNAP education and direct application assistance or a documented referral pathway to qualified benefits-enrollment support.

Support the local food system: Strengthen the local and regional food economy through meaningful sourcing relationships with Central Texas and Texas growers and producers.

Provide culturally responsive engagement: Provide culturally and linguistically responsive outreach, customer service, education, and event support.

Reduce barriers to participation: Reduce access barriers associated with transportation, mobility, disability, work schedules, technology, or other circumstances.

Measure reach, engagement, and impact: Produce consistent data and reporting that allow Central Health to evaluate reach, utilization, equity, customer experience, new participant engagement and referrals, and overall program impact.

3. Contract Term and Service Locations

Services may be required at Central Health & Wellness Centers, resource centers, clinical locations, community partner sites, or other Central Health-approved locations in Travis County. Central Health may add, remove, or modify service locations and market frequency during the contract term.

Illustrative Location Service Model Illustrative Frequency Final Schedule

Southeast Health & Wellness Center

Mobile/Pop-Up Market Weekly – approximately 4 markets/month

By mutual agreement

Hornsby Bend Health & Wellness Center

Mobile/Pop-Up Market Weekly – approximately 4 markets/month

By mutual agreement

Del Valle Health & Wellness Center

Mobile/Pop-Up Market

Weekly + one additional Sunday/month – approximately 5 markets/month

By mutual agreement

Additional Central Health-approved locations

Mobile/Pop-Up Market As requested based on community need and available funding

By mutual agreement

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4. Minimum Qualifications and Mandatory Requirements

Failure to demonstrate compliance in the following areas may be grounds for contract termination.

REQUIREMENT

SNAP/EBT Capability

Vendor must be authorized to accept SNAP/EBT by service launch or provide an acceptable implementation plan and evidence that authorization will be secured before services begin.

Food Safety

Vendor must hold certifications and comply with applicable federal, state, and local food safety, handling, storage, transportation, permitting, and inspection requirements.

Certifications must be kept current and Central Health notified of changes.

5. Mobile and Pop-Up Market Operations Provide recurring mobile and/or pop-up fresh food markets at Central Health-approved locations and schedules.

Provide all personnel, vehicles, equipment, point-of-sale technology, tents/tables as applicable, signage, product displays, setup, breakdown, waste removal, and routine operational supplies necessary to conduct each market unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and dignified shopping environment.

Establish contingency procedures for severe weather, staffing shortages, vehicle/equipment failure, food safety concerns, and other disruptions; communicate cancellations or changes promptly.

Coordinate site logistics with designated Central Health staff, including arrival/departure, loading, parking, space use, safety, and escalation procedures.

5.1 Affordable Fresh and Nutritious Food

Offer a consistent assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, with additional nutrient-dense grocery items permitted when aligned with the approved program model.

Maintain pricing designed to improve affordability for the population served and clearly display customer prices.

Prioritize seasonal foods and culturally relevant product selection when feasible.

Describe how the vendor will monitor product quality, freshness, availability, spoilage, and affordability.

5.2 SNAP/EBT Acceptance

Accept SNAP/EBT at all applicable Central Health market locations and maintain the technology, authorizations, reconciliation processes, and trained personnel necessary for reliable transactions.

Clearly communicate SNAP acceptance to customers through signage and outreach materials.

Maintain an operational contingency process for point-of-sale or connectivity disruptions to the extent

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5.3 Nutrition Incentive Program

A nutrition-incentive program that increases purchasing power for SNAP participants to purchase eligible fruits and vegetables must be offered throughout the duration of the contract.

Explain eligibility, earning/redemption rules, applicable limits, and customer experience in plain language.

Train market staff to explain the incentive and accurately process transactions.

Track incentive utilization and report agreed-upon measures to Central Health.

5.4 SNAP Education and Application Support

Provide clear, current information about SNAP eligibility and how to apply.

Provide SNAP application assistance directly, when qualified to do so, or maintain a documented referral partnership/pathway with an organization capable of providing application and enrollment assistance.

Where feasible, provide warm handoffs or assisted referrals rather than information-only referrals.

Make information available in English and Spanish at minimum, with additional language access based on identified community needs.

5.5 Local and Regional Sourcing

Demonstrate meaningful sourcing from Central Texas and/or Texas farms and food producers.

Describe relationships with local growers, producers, aggregators, and other food-system partners.

Identify the anticipated percentage or proportion of produce sourced from Texas and, when feasible, Central Texas.

Describe efforts to support small, beginning, historically underserved, or emerging farmers and producers, when applicable.

Maintain sufficient sourcing diversity and contingency planning to support reliable market operations despite seasonal or supply disruptions.

5.6 Community Outreach and Event Support

Develop and implement a location-specific outreach strategy in coordination with Central Health.

Provide bilingual English/Spanish outreach materials and customer-facing support at minimum.

Participate, as requested and mutually scheduled, in Central Health resource fairs, wellness events, community meetings, outreach activities, and other events relevant to food access.

Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and referral partners that can connect residents to the service.

Support customer referrals, questions, and follow-up through an accessible customer-service mechanism.

Coordinate with Central Health Communications when use of Central Health name, logo, branding, or public-facing communications is proposed.

5.7 Equitable Access and…