REDUCED FILE ADDENDUM NO. 4 SFE SOUTHWEST FOODSERVICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

This is an Addendum No. 4 containing questions and answers related to the Request for Proposal issued by the Town of Saugus School Committee for food service management. The RFP seeks a Food Service Management Company to operate the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and a la carte food services beginning in school year 2026-2027. A 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 were due by March 13, 2026 with responses provided by March 17, 2026. Sealed Price and Non-Price proposals (four copies each) were due to the Town of Saugus DPW at 515 Main Street by March 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Contract award is targeted for 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 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. 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, maintain a clean contracting history with no defaults on school food service contracts in the prior five years, and guarantee minimum lunch participation rates of 35 percent. A bid bond equal to 5 percent of total budgeted costs is required at submission. Financial projections must be detailed through Schedule E including revenues from student meals, adult meals, and federal and state reimbursement rates calculated using USDA-provided formulas, with all discounts, rebates, and applicable credits credited to the School Food Authority. All meals must comply with USDA nutritional regulations.