Catering Services & Supplies

Tolleson Union High School District #214 in Maricopa County, Arizona, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP #27-04-31) to procure qualified catering vendors to provide services and supplies on an as-needed basis. The procurement seeks vendors capable of delivering high-quality full-service catering, drop-off catering, and catering supplies including food and beverage preparation, disposable tableware, serving utensils, and accommodations for special dietary needs and restrictions. Deliverables encompass protein and vegetarian entrees, hot and cold entrees, salads, desserts, beverages, labor, servers, event management, and various catering supplies such as tablecloths, cutlery sets, chafing dishes, tables, and chairs. Vendors will be evaluated on a 100-point scale consisting of Qualifications, Experience, and Expertise (30 points); Cost including overall value and competitiveness of market basket pricing (40 points); Responsiveness and Forms (20 points); and References with three required past performance surveys (10 points). Pricing will be evaluated using a market basket approach requiring vendors to submit representative menu items and catering package pricing rather than individual per-item pricing. Proposals are due electronically through the Bonfire Procurement Portal at https://tollesonuhsd.bonfirehub.com on February 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. MST, with virtual opening via Microsoft Teams; no pre-proposal conference is scheduled. The initial contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with options to renew for up to four additional one-year terms through June 30, 2031, contingent upon satisfactory performance and fund availability, with Governing Board approval anticipated for April 7, 2026.

Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) vendors are encouraged to participate through the HUB designation, indicating the district has prioritized inclusive procurement practices. Vendors must submit comprehensive compliance documentation including a signed Offer and Acceptance Form, notarized Non-Collusion Statement, Certificate of Insurance with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate general liability coverage, Debarment Certification, IRS W-9 Form, and three past performance evaluations from other school districts or agencies. Additional mandatory certifications include EDGAR federal compliance requirements, debarment verification through the System for Award Management (SAM), compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, federal immigration laws through E-Verify, and sanctions against boycotts of Israel and forced labor of Uyghurs. The District reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors and makes no guarantee regarding minimum dollar amounts, frequency of orders, or volume of business. No fuel surcharges or price increases are permitted without prior written approval, and the district reserves the right to terminate contracts for convenience, default, or suspension/debarment without penalty. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents.