DDS Statewide Catering

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has issued a Request for Response (RFR) for statewide catering services, seeking qualified and permitted catering suppliers to support specific events across the state. The procurement aims to create a pre-qualified vendor list for catering needs, with successful bidders providing comprehensive food service capabilities. Bidders must submit detailed responses including a narrative describing operational capacities, geographic coverage, menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, nonalcoholic beverage selections, and allergen information. Required documentation includes a current food/catering license and a comprehensive cost structure covering delivery, paper goods, utensils, servers, and food warmers. The bid opening date is August 26, 2025, with an anticipated contract start date of September 1, 2025, and the contract is structured for an initial four-year and nine-month period ending June 30, 2030, with potential two-year renewals extending to June 30, 2034. The procurement will utilize a rolling enrollment process, with proposals reviewed and scored quarterly, allowing vendors to respond at any point during the solicitation's lifecycle.

The RFR includes specific provisions for the Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), which provides preference to small businesses with their principal place of business in Massachusetts. To qualify for SBPP, businesses must have been operational for at least one year, employ 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, and maintain gross revenues of $15 million or less. Payment will be processed through Electronic Funds Transfer, and all bidders must comply with state requirements including nondiscrimination policies and environmental purchasing guidelines. While no specific maximum contract obligation is stated, DDS will allow bidders to propose delivery fees by region per event and retains the right to negotiate service fees for larger events. The procurement does not list incumbent vendors and does not specify explicit technology integration requirements. Bidders will be evaluated on their operational capabilities, menu diversity, geographic coverage, and ability to meet the diverse catering needs of the Department of Developmental Services across Massachusetts.