Regional Kitchen Operational Readiness Validation for HIDOE

The Hawaii State Department of Education is requesting bids on operational readiness validation and completion support for the state's first regional kitchen under IFB D27-055, with sealed bids due October 14, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time through the Hawaii eProcurement System (HIePRO). Hard copies are required within five working days of bid closing.

The scope encompasses seven service areas: operational process development and continuity of operations; menu, production, and procurement transition planning; inventory, receiving, and materials management; training and workforce readiness; Phase I finishing-kitchen operational readiness assessments; food safety, traceability, and HACCP compliance; and project management and implementation support. The regional kitchen is designed to transition from centralized food production to finishing kitchens serving approximately 85 schools statewide, with initial Phase I implementation supporting 20 schools in the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex by June 2027. The contractor must validate and complete state-developed work rather than recreate existing materials.

Offerors must demonstrate three years of experience with large-scale food-service operations producing 1,000+ meals daily; three years with USDA Child Nutrition Programs; three years designing high-volume kitchen workflows; two years with facility start-up and commissioning; two years with food distribution and cold-chain logistics; and five years developing institutional food-service standard operating procedures. A primary point of contact must be designated and available during regular Hawaii business hours. Minimum liability insurance requirements are $2,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability and $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence, plus $1,000,000 automobile liability coverage.

The contract runs from full execution through April 30, 2027, with an option for one additional two-month extension period upon mutual written agreement. Pricing is structured as seven fixed-price line items and one hourly rate item (Item 8) providing up to 120 hours of specialized operational training at the contractor's hourly rate with no minimum guaranteed hours. Award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder provided the total does not exceed allotted funds. Addendum A, issued September 21, 2026, provides a State-Furnished Materials Index and references to planning products through a designated Google Drive link.