Request for Information (RFI): STATEWIDE: Emergency Food Catering Services

The Maryland Department of General Services Office of State Procurement, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, has issued an RFI for statewide emergency food and catering services with responses due February 9, 2026 and procurement-related questions due January 30, 2026. This is market research to inform a future indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity fixed-price contract; submission does not guarantee inclusion in the subsequent procurement.

The RFI strongly encourages responses from small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses. DGS OSP intends to designate one or more contract portions to these socioeconomic categories and notes that Small Business Preferences and regional Small Business Reserves may be established, pending market feedback.

Vendors must demonstrate capacity to supply bulk and boxed meals, operate mobile field kitchens and mobile refrigerator trucks, and maintain food supply warehouses capable of 12- or 24-hour schedules across multiple simultaneous locations. Services cover fixed facilities including emergency shelters in public schools, emergency operations centers, and public safety facilities. The scope includes meal delivery for 50–250 personnel per facility location every 12 hours, with service initiation within 24 hours to 14 days of an emergency declaration. Menus must feature standard, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options submitted biweekly for approval, with 24-hour food service bar availability.

Pricing is requested by unit of measure for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack items, prepared salads, and 24-hour food service bar flat fees, organized by case for six Maryland regions. Respondents must identify service capabilities by county and region, provide eMMA registration numbers, address specification constraints and subcontracting opportunities for increased minority participation, and recommend small business reserved areas. The anticipated contract term spans multiple years with potential renewal options, though specific duration has not been determined. Proprietary information should be marked for protection under the Public Information Act.