Request for proposal - food service manangement company

Nashoba Regional School District in Worcester County, Massachusetts is issuing a competitive sealed proposal request for a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to operate its food service program beginning July 1, 2026. The procurement encompasses management of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and à la carte food services across multiple district schools, with the FSMC assuming full operational responsibility including menu planning, food purchasing, receiving, storage, cafeteria operations, sanitation, staff training, and employee supervision. Required qualifications include a minimum of one year of K-12 school food service experience with comparable districts, a Food Service Director meeting USDA Professional Standards, no contract defaults in the past five years, and an average lunch participation rate of at least 35 percent at comparable sites. Evaluation criteria encompass general experience, reference satisfaction, operational and marketing plans, food service director qualifications, menu quality, financial stability, employee training programs, student participation rates, and experience with regional school districts and new school building openings. A mandatory pre-proposal conference and facility tour is scheduled for March 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Bolton, Massachusetts; bidders must submit written questions by March 17, 2026, with responses due March 19, 2026. Six sealed proposal copies with separate non-price and price components must be submitted by April 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM to the Business Office at 50 Mechanic Street, Bolton, MA 01740, with contract award anticipated for April 22, 2026, and contract execution required by June 5, 2026.

The contract operates on a cost-reimbursable basis with the FSMC receiving reimbursement for direct costs (food, labor, and supplies) plus negotiated Administrative and Management fees, subject to a guaranteed return to the school district; the specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the solicitation materials. Bidders must submit a bid bond equal to 5 percent of total budgeted costs and proof of adequate insurance including $1,000,000 general liability, $1,000,000 auto liability, and statutory workers' compensation coverage. Additional requirements include certifications regarding debarment, tax compliance, and lobbying restrictions. The initial contract term is one year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) with options for up to four additional one-year renewals, allowing for a maximum contract period of five years. The solicitation does not identify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent contractor information; however, the district currently retains 23 directly employed food service employees and will maintain control over meal prices, free and reduced-price policy implementation, USDA Foods utilization, and overall nonprofit food service account accountability.