Meal services job challenge academy and new mexico national guard youth challenge academies

The State Purchasing Division of the General Services Department and the Department of Military Affairs of New Mexico are requesting proposals for comprehensive meal services at the New Mexico Job Challenge Academy in Albuquerque and the New Mexico National Guard Youth Challenge Academy in Roswell, with proposals due October 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. MST. A mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for September 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. MST at the New Mexico National Guard Headquarters Complex at 47 Bataan Boulevard, 2nd Battalion OC Portable Building in Santa Fe (per Amendment No. 1). Federal funds support this procurement and no preferences apply.

The contractor must provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, and structured snacks seven days per week to residential populations aged 16–21. The NMJCA serves participants aged 18–21 in a 20-week program and may utilize on-site kitchen facilities; the NMYCA serves cadets aged 16–18 in a 29.5-month program requiring off-site meal preparation with delivery. Pricing must be structured strictly on a per-cadet-day basis with itemized separation of food, labor, overhead, and profit.

Mandatory nutritional standards include 2,800 kcal per day baseline (3,200 kcal with snacks), protein requirements of 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day with minimum 20g per meal, USDA National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program compliance, and culturally relevant menus incorporating New Mexican Hispanic/Latino and Native American dishes. The contractor must hold a current New Mexico Environment Department food service permit, maintain a written HACCP plan, employ ServSafe-certified supervisory staff on each shift, and provide meals reviewed and certified by a Registered Dietitian. A performance surety bond will be required at contract award.

Evaluation awards up to 1,000 points: 300 for technical capability and organizational experience, 125 for organizational references, 300 for mandatory nutritional compliance and menu quality, 100 for cultural competency and sourcing strategy, and 175 for cost. Financial stability, performance bond capability, letter of transmittal, and campaign contribution disclosure are pass/fail requirements. Evaluation is estimated for October 8–9, 2026 with contract award anticipated by October 20, 2026. Proposal submission is electronic only through eProNM.