RFP Chefs in Schools

Putnam Public Schools in Putnam, Connecticut is issuing a Request for Proposal to engage qualified professional culinary service providers to support the district's USDA Child Nutrition Programs through the "Chefs in Schools" initiative. The procurement encompasses two primary components: Part A requires a comprehensive program assessment of current food service operations, kitchen infrastructure, staffing, and stakeholder alignment, while Part B entails placement of full-time professional chefs (one chef per kitchen across two feeding sites) to enhance scratch cooking, student engagement, menu development, staff training, and USDA meal pattern compliance. The district serves approximately 1,150 students across three schools (Putnam Elementary, Putnam Middle, and Putnam High School) and operates two feeding sites serving an estimated 339,000 meals annually across multiple federal nutrition programs. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale based on Qualifications & Experience (25 points), Technical Approach/Program Design (30 points), Personnel (15 points), Cost Proposal (20 points), and References & Past Performance (10 points). Offerors must submit pricing in two parts: a one-time fee for Part A and an annual fixed cost for Part B services, with all costs inclusive of travel, materials, and supplies, and must specify estimated service days per week. The mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for April 9, 2026, at 1:30 PM EST at the district's administrative offices with site visitations immediately following; proposals are due May 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST, with award anticipated by May 19, 2026, and contract execution in June 2026. The contract will commence on or about August 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2027, with optional annual renewals through June 30, 2031.

Offerors must demonstrate relevant culinary credentials and possess K-12 food service experience within USDA Child Nutrition Programs or institutional food service backgrounds, with at least three references from school clients who have completed similar work. All contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Auto Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, and Abuse and Molestation Liability ($1,000,000), with the Putnam Board of Education named as an additional insured. Contractors must comply with background check requirements, hold food safety certifications (ServSafe or equivalent), adhere to USDA Buy American provisions, and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and associated USDA regulations due to partial funding through the National School Lunch Program. The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligible respondents to disadvantaged enterprises or other protected classes. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. No specific budget or award value range is provided in the solicitation materials.