Food service for ulster county jail

Ulster County, New York is requesting proposals for food service operations at the Ulster County Jail with bids due July 31, 2026 under RFP-UC26-033. A local economic development preference applies: Ulster County vendors receive 5 points, contiguous county vendors receive 3 points, and New York State vendors receive 1 point in the evaluation scoring.

The scope is full-service meal preparation and service for approximately 200 inmates (maximum capacity 457) and 125 staff members on a 28-day menu cycle providing three meals daily. The contractor must provide approximately 333,975 inmate meals annually with pricing adjusted on a sliding scale based on actual inmate population. Staff meals differ from the inmate menu. The contractor must offer three-tier menus (low, medium, and high cost options) and comply with American Correctional Association standards and New York State Correction Law. Specialized programs include an incarcerated individual workforce development program offering ServSafe Food Handler and Protection Manager certifications and a Fresh Favorites specialty meal program with revenue-sharing components directed toward inmate programming. All contractor personnel must undergo criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and security clearance approval by the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, with employees completing 40-hour initial orientation training and subsequent 40-hour annual jail-related training at contractor expense.

The contract term is three years commencing January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029, with an optional County renewal for two additional one-year terms under identical conditions. Aramark is the incumbent contractor. Proposals must include one original, one photocopy, and one electronic copy (CD or thumb drive) in MS Word and PDF formats, with the pricing proposal submitted separately and unbound. Vendor kitchen tours may be arranged by contacting Warden Jason S. Bleau at 845-334-5744 for one to two representatives per vendor due to security restrictions. Evaluation criteria are Overall Plan to Provide Required Services (35 points), Fee/Pricing Proposal (30 points), Qualifications and Experience (20 points), Understanding of County's Goals and Objectives (10 points), and Local Economic Development incentives (5 points). Addendum 1 and Addendum 2 with attachments have been posted, establishing pricing framework and menu requirements.