Food Service for Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy - UPDATED

The State of Tennessee, Department of Commerce and Insurance, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposals (RFP ID 33501-264505) for comprehensive food service operations at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA) located in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to prepare and serve daily meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner to staff and students attending training classes, with meals served during designated time windows: breakfast 6:45-8:00 a.m., lunch 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and dinner 5:00-6:45 p.m. The contractor must also provide special event meals and box lunches as needed. Key deliverables include meal service operations over a 60-month contract term beginning October 25, 2026, with projected meal volumes of 53,524 breakfast meals, 77,101 lunch meals, 38,973 dinner meals, 2,000 special event meals, and 3,000 box lunches. Mandatory qualifications include current food service licensure, ServSafe Certification for the Person in Charge, health department inspection grades above 90, compliance with Tennessee Department of Health and FDA Food Code standards, and tuberculosis and hepatitis A testing for all food preparation personnel. The contractor must supply all operational equipment including dishware, food warmers, and beverage dispensers, while maintaining a minimum staffing level of two employees per meal service with at least one supervisor present 60 minutes before each meal period. Vendors must submit both technical and cost proposals by July 14, 2026, with a mandatory pre-response conference and site visit scheduled for May 13, 2026, and written questions due by June 1, 2026.

The solicitation notice does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting competition to particular types of organizations, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent contractor or current service provider is identified in the available documentation. The State will provide existing kitchen facilities and major equipment including convection ovens, walk-in coolers, and dishwashers, which the selected contractor must integrate with their operations. The contractor will be responsible for all personnel, payroll, and workers' compensation insurance. The estimated maximum contract liability ranges from $1,800,000 to $2,500,000 over the full 60-month term, with compensation structured on a per-meal, per-person basis across the five meal categories. The State intends to award a single contract with no renewal options specified.