BPS Catering Services for Community Meetings

Boston Public Schools is requesting bids on catering services for community meetings and events at various BPS-designated locations, with bids due October 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EDT and a required service delivery date of October 24, 2026.

The solicitation is subject to the Boston Jobs, Living Wage, and Prevailing Wage Ordinance. Vendors meeting the definition of Covered Service Contractor (service contracts valued at $25,000 or more) must pay covered employees a minimum of $19.36 per hour effective July 1, 2026, subject to annual adjustment. Covered Building Service Vendors must comply with prevailing wage classifications and standard compensation schedules. All covered vendors must submit a completed Vendor Agreement (Form Wage-2), quarterly reports (Form Wage-9), and a First Source Hiring Agreement (Form Wage-10), and must forward ordinance requirements to any subcontractors.

The scope includes furnishing, delivering, and setting up food and beverage services—breakfast, lunch, dinner, light refreshments, snacks, and beverages in individually packaged, boxed, or buffet-style formats—for events accommodating 50 to 200 participants. Services must accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal, kosher, and allergy-related accommodations, with clear labeling of allergens and dietary information. Standard events require one week's notice; emergency orders require three business days' notice. All quoted unit prices must be fully inclusive of food, beverages, preparation, packaging, delivery, setup, service staff where applicable, supplies, administrative costs, and incidental expenses, with no additional fees or surcharges unless expressly authorized in writing by BPS.

The total contract value shall not exceed $30,000 over a contract term from November 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. BPS makes no guarantee regarding frequency, volume, or minimum dollar amount of orders. Award will be made to the lowest-quoted responsible and responsive vendor. Bidders must document three or more similar contracts completed within the past two years, provide a current health permit, menu samples, business and health licenses, a food safety plan, a capacity statement, itemized invoice samples, and two references. Bidders must certify compliance with applicable laws, non-discrimination standards, CORI screening policies, debarment status, and conflict of interest provisions. The City encourages participation from small, local, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses. Submission is online through the City of Boston Supplier Portal or by hard copy to City of Boston Procurement, One City Hall Square, Room 808, Boston, MA 02201, directed to Shirley Nguyen.