Food Services

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is requesting proposals for food services at five state facilities — Desert Regional Center, Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, Lakes Crossing Center, Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, and both Northern and Southern Nevada Department of Child and Family Services locations — with proposals due October 22, 2026, and a mandatory site visit September 9–10, 2026 (registration due September 3). A 5% preference applies to Nevada-based businesses.

The scope encompasses preparation and delivery of three daily meals plus snacks year-round to patients across designated facilities. Based on FY2024 meal counts, vendors should plan for approximately 445,000 meals annually, 2,400 bag meals, and 445,000 snacks, with an anticipated additional 164,700 meals upon the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility opening in August 2029. The State intends to award a maximum of two contracts, though one contract may be issued if a vendor can serve all locations. Key personnel requirements include a full-time Certified Dietary Manager as Food Service Director, a full-time Executive Chef, a full-time Registered Dietitian, and a full-time Sous Chef; all food service personnel must be ServSafe certified, and food service management personnel must hold ServSafe Food Manager certification. Vendors must accommodate specialized dietary needs including texture modifications following International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative standards, therapeutic diets, and cultural preferences. Vendors are responsible for all operational costs — food, labor, utilities, maintenance of kitchen equipment, pest control, laundry, delivery vehicles, insurance, licenses, and permits — with the State reimbursing only gas, water, sewer, and electricity within 30 days of invoice receipt.

The contract runs four years beginning March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2031, with options to renew for two additional one-year extensions. Evaluation criteria are qualifications and experience (30%), proposed cost structure (30%), capacity and emergency response (25%), references and past performance (10%), and Nevada state licensing, insurance, and permits (5%). Vendors must register on sam.gov, maintain Nevada business license registration, and certify compliance with Israel non-boycott requirements. Questions are due September 24, 2026. Notice of intent is estimated November 6, 2026, and notice of award December 21, 2026. Contractors must maintain Commercial General Liability ($2 million aggregate / $1 million per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), Workers' Compensation at statutory rates, and Professional Liability ($1 million per claim / $2 million aggregate), with the State named as additional insured.