Food Handler Training & Assessment Services

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is soliciting proposals under RFP DPHE26-FP-6260 for online food handler training, assessment, and food protection manager certification services, with the October 30, 2026 electronic submission deadline now passed and virtual presentations scheduled for November 9–13, 2026. A 5% local preference applies to vendors meeting specified criteria, and current contractors must submit proposals to continue service after June 30, 2027.

Contractors must deliver an interactive, web-based course of approximately 2.5 hours with at least 40 assessment questions, available 24/7, compliant with California Health and Safety Code Section 113947.2 and ANAB-accredited to ASTM E2659-09. Bidders must have a minimum of three years of experience providing these services. Amendment 3 requires accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing under ADA requirements, Simplified Chinese with narrated audio and translated text, a sixth-grade reading level across all languages, and all language versions available at go-live on July 1, 2027. The original RFP lists English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and American Sign Language. The platform must integrate with a County-provided food facility list, provide single sign-on for County staff, and support certificate verification. The County will transfer existing food handler certificates to the new contractor. The food protection manager certification component is optional but strongly desired and requires an ANAB-accredited exam. In-person proctoring must occur within San Bernardino County on a schedule the County mandates. Required insurance includes professional liability of $1 million per claim and $2 million aggregate, and cyber liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate. The passing score is 70 percent, and customers who fail must repurchase the course after one free retake.

Compensation is fee-based. The RFP cites a $22 per-customer fee established by County Ordinance 16.0213B(b)(14). The contractor collects fees, retains an agreed-upon portion, and remits the remainder to the County monthly. Amendment 3 describes a flat-rate structure with no credit card processing fees charged to customers, with proposers stating a cost for each service and the portion remitted to the County in Attachment D. The program serves approximately 5,000 customers monthly. The contract term is a maximum of three years, from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030, with a tentative award date of January 4, 2027 and a 20-business-day implementation period. The County may award one or multiple contractors. Amendment 3 identifies the County as the incumbent service provider.

Proposals are evaluated on qualifications and experience (25%), technical review (25%), cost/revenue (30%), financial review (10%), references (5%), and interview/presentation/demonstration (5%). The presentation allows 30 minutes for demonstration and 15 minutes for questions.