Kitchen Equipment Repair/Maintenance

The Watertown Board of Education, which serves Watertown Public Schools in Connecticut, is requesting proposals for kitchen equipment repair and maintenance at five schools, with sealed proposals due Friday, November 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at 61 Echo Lake Road, Watertown, Connecticut 06795. The listing's due-date field shows November 23, 2026, but the RFP sets November 20.

The scope covers two semi-annual preventive maintenance inspections at John Trumbull Primary School, Polk Elementary School, Judson Elementary School, Swift Middle School, and Watertown High School, plus written maintenance reports identifying deficiencies and recommended repairs. Routine and emergency repairs are included. Covered equipment includes combi ovens, convection ovens, steamers, kettles, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, serving lines, beverage coolers, hot boxes, and reach-in coolers, with equipment varying by site. Emergency response is required within four hours for equipment threatening meal service or food safety. Vendors also provide estimates or quotes for new commercial kitchen equipment as needed, and the Board reserves the right to seek additional quotes independently.

The base term runs December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027, with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods at the discretion of Watertown Public Schools. Pricing must include regular, overtime, and weekend hourly labor rates; travel charges; preventive maintenance costs for two annual inspections at all five locations; and parts markup percentages. Sales and use tax must be excluded from pricing.

Evaluation weights are cost (40 points), experience and qualifications (25 points), service response and availability (20 points), and preventive maintenance plan quality (15 points).

Insurance requirements are workers' compensation at $500,000, commercial general liability at $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, commercial automobile at $1,000,000, and umbrella/excess liability at $5,000,000. The successful vendor must provide a Certificate of Insurance and a W-9 before contract execution. Submissions require two copies of the Proposal Form, Price Proposal, Drug-Free Workplace Certificate, Vendor References, RFP Form, and Hold-Harmless and Indemnification Agreement. Proposals remain irrevocable for 60 days from opening.

Questions go to Emily Doering at 860-945-5010 or doeringem@watertownps.org. The full packet is available through the ParentSquare link on the listing.