Catering Services

Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ESBOCES) is soliciting competitive bids for catering services across four township zones in Suffolk County, New York, including Islip, Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southampton. The procurement seeks to establish a contract for comprehensive catering services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with potential for four additional one-year renewal terms. Vendors must provide catering for events ranging from a minimum of five persons to up to 1,000 persons, with deliveries accepted between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and potential weekend deliveries. Qualified vendors must meet Suffolk County Department of Health requirements, provide food transportation in properly refrigerated equipment, and ensure high-quality food and service. The bid requires comprehensive documentation including food permits, references, non-collusive bidding certifications, and compliance with state regulations. Proposals are due on April 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with pricing subject to potential annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), not to exceed 2% if CPI is under 5% or up to 4% if CPI is 5% or higher.

The catering services contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must provide robust insurance coverage, including $1 million per occurrence for General Liability, $1 million for Automobile Liability, and $3 million in Excess Liability, obtained from an A.M. Best A- rated or better insurer licensed in New York State. ESBOCES will be named as an additional insured, and vendors must provide proof of Workers' Compensation and New York State Disability Insurance. The estimated contract value ranges between $50,000 and $100,000, with recent historical spending around $65,000-$100,000. Vendors must submit a completed W-9 form and meet comprehensive insurance requirements, with failure to obtain required insurance constituting a material breach of contract. The bid allows vendors to bid on specific zones without requiring bids on all zones, providing flexibility in proposal submission. Successful vendors will be expected to offer a diverse menu including morning meals, cold and hot lunch platters, boxed lunches, and various catering options to meet the educational service organization's needs.