Inmate food services

The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners is soliciting sealed proposals for inmate food services at the Lumpkin County detention center, with proposals due November 12, 2026, and a pre-proposal conference on October 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Dahlonega, Georgia.

The contractor must provide all equipment, materials, and labor to operate food services delivering three hot meals per day, seven days per week, to an average daily inmate population of approximately 150. Services include menus approved by a registered dietitian providing 2,800 calories per day per inmate, special accommodations for religious and medical diets at no additional cost, a minimum of five holiday meals annually, and catering services available with 72 hours' notice. Full compliance with American Correctional Association standards is required. The contractor must hold a minimum of five years of correctional food service experience and provide five references, including any Georgia Sheriff's Office accounts. Pricing is submitted on a per-meal basis using the County's provided cost worksheet, with prices guaranteed for one year unless scope changes. The County invoices weekly based on meals ordered or served, whichever is greater, and the contractor maintains meal count records for monthly reporting and audit.

Insurance requirements include Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability coverage of at least $1 million, General Liability of at least $1 million per occurrence, and Automobile Liability of at least $500,000 per occurrence. The contractor must comply with Georgia's E-Verify requirements and Drug Free Workplace Act. The initial contract term runs January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, with eligibility for up to four annual renewals; either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice.

Evaluation weighs technical merit at 70% (including company/personnel experience at 30% and project understanding/approach at 38%) and cost at 30%, with a 2% local preference applied. Written questions are due November 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM, with responses posted by November 3 at 5:00 PM.