RFP for Food Service Management

Northwest Georgia Charter Academy, located in Cave Spring in Barrow County, Georgia, is conducting a competitive sealed proposal procurement to select a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to provide comprehensive food service management and meal preparation services for the 2026-2027 school year with options for four additional one-year renewals. The FSMC will be responsible for operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Care Program snack services for approximately 134 students in grades K-8 at a single campus location. Proposals are due by 11:00 a.m. on May 8, 2026, with written questions accepted through April 27, 2026, and proposal openings scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 8, 2026. The contract will commence July 1, 2026, and terminate June 30, 2027, with potential extensions of up to three months under extraordinary circumstances. The SFA will accept either cost-reimbursable or fixed meal price proposals, with the current federal free reimbursement rate set at $4.60 for lunch meals and annual price increases subject to Consumer Price Index adjustments and State Agency approval. Evaluation of proposals will be weighted across nine criteria totaling 100 points, with cost and financial proposals receiving the highest weight at 30 points, followed by service capability plan (15 points), personnel management (10 points), experience and references (10 points), business familiarity with school systems (10 points), innovation (5 points), accounting systems (5 points), program promotion (5 points), and financial stability (5 points). Qualified respondents must be incorporated in Georgia, certified with the Georgia Department of Education vendor list, provide audited financial statements, demonstrate experience operating comparable NSLP and SBP programs, submit professional references, and furnish documentation of FSMC qualifications and responsibility.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organization types, suggesting the procurement is open to all eligible vendors meeting the stated qualifications. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified, as Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is a new school beginning operations in 2026-2027 with no previously established food service contracts or infrastructure. The Academy currently has no school board-approved budget for the nutrition program, which may impact award value determination; however, specific budget ranges or possible award values are not disclosed in the procurement documents. Award determination is pending approval from the Georgia Department of Education (State Agency), and all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with federal regulations including 7 CFR 210, 215, 220, 245, 250, and 2 CFR 200.318-326.