25WS0017 - temp / relief registered dietitian, food service technician & cook specialist services

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) is soliciting bids for Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 25WS0017, seeking temporary and relief staffing services for Registered Dietitians, Food Service Technicians, and Cook Specialists at the Veterans Home of California - West Los Angeles. The procurement covers multiple California jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties, with specific coverage needed for various cities and census-designated places. The contract will provide staffing to fill temporary vacancies, substitute for full-time employees on extended leave, and maintain appropriate staffing levels when civil service staff are unavailable. Services are required Monday through Sunday, including state holidays, from 5:00am to 8:00pm, typically involving eight-hour shifts five days per week. Potential providers must meet strict qualification requirements, including current professional licenses, permits, and certifications, with responsibilities encompassing nutritional assessments, meal preparation, diet planning, and compliance with federal and state healthcare regulations. Key deadlines include a question submission deadline of April 15, 2025, and a final bid submission deadline of April 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm. The proposed contract term spans from July 1, 2025, or upon Department of General Services approval, through June 30, 2028.

The solicitation includes a zero percent (0%) Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal, but maintains a DVBE Incentive Program that can provide bid incentives ranging from 1-5% for confirmed DVBE participation. A small business preference of five percent (5%) is available for certified small or micro businesses. The state will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder who complies with all requirements, with specific provisions for tiebreaking between small businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to the Darfur Contracting Act, Russia Sanctions Executive Order, and mandatory disclosure of any Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies used in the proposed solution. The solicitation covers a projected staffing requirement of 12 positions across 156 weeks, specifically allocating 2 Registered Dietitians, 2 Cook Specialists, and 8 Food Service Technicians, each working 40 hours per week. While specific pricing details are not finalized, bidders must submit comprehensive, all-inclusive hourly rates for each position type, with rates to remain binding for the entire contract term. The state reserves the right to adjust staffing needs and makes no guarantee of exact service requirements.