Food Services for A. F. WHITSITT CENTER

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) in Maryland has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for comprehensive food services at the A.F. Whitsitt Treatment Center located in Chestertown. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide three daily meals and an evening snack for up to 40 residential patients and 12 crisis beds, with potential for future facility expansion. The contract will be an indefinite quantity agreement with a five-year base period, requiring the selected vendor to manage all aspects of food service, including menu planning, nutrition analysis, food preparation, serving, and kitchen cleaning. Key deliverables include developing menus by a registered dietitian that meet nutritional requirements of 3,000-3,300 calories per day and comply with therapeutic diet guidelines. The contractor must provide a full-time Food Service Manager with specific educational and professional qualifications and submit monthly performance reports. Critical procurement dates include a pre-proposal conference on June 5, 2025, from 2-4pm, with questions due by June 19, 2025, and final proposals due by July 3, 2025. The RFP (Number KCHD-202601) requires the contractor to maintain strict sanitation standards, develop emergency food plans, and adhere to state health regulations.

The solicitation does not include specific Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Veteran Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) participation goals, and no federal funding is involved in this procurement. The contractor will be responsible for providing all food, supplies, utensils, and staffing necessary to meet the facility's nutritional needs. While the exact estimated annual contract value is not specified in the documentation, the comprehensive nature of the service suggests a substantial operational commitment. The contract will require the successful vendor to integrate with the existing on-site production kitchen and comply with all Kent County Health Department requirements. No incumbent vendor information is provided, and there are no explicit restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond to the RFP. The procurement appears open to qualified food service providers who can demonstrate the capability to consistently deliver high-quality, nutritionally appropriate meals in a healthcare treatment center setting. The five-year contract duration indicates the department's desire for a stable, long-term partnership with the selected food service provider.