RFP For Vended Meals

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS), a kindergarten through eighth-grade public charter school located in Franklin, Massachusetts, issued a Request for Proposal on January 16, 2026, seeking a vended meals provider to deliver pre-packaged breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snacks for approximately 900 students under the National School Lunch Program. The school requires five service days per week with breakfast service from 7:30-9:00 AM and lunch service from 10:50 AM-12:30 PM. Qualified vendors must submit proposals by March 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST, with questions and clarifications accepted through March 2, 2026, and final answers provided by March 6, 2026. Vendor interviews including mandatory on-site tastings and facility tours are scheduled for April 13-17, 2026, with an anticipated contract award date of May 1, 2026. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with options to renew for up to three additional one-year terms. All proposals must include a 21-day cycle menu, cost per meal for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, sample menus with nutritional information, current health certifications, proof of liability insurance, and three professional references. Evaluation criteria consists of description of services (20 points), menu appeal and taste test (20 points), proposed price (30 points), confidence in provider capability (20 points), and compliance with RFP specifications (10 points), with price as the primary consideration.

Meals must comply with comprehensive nutritional standards including fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal, prohibition on frozen foods, no trans fats, no artificial colors or sweeteners, and no mechanically separated meats. The school is responsible for weekly meal ordering and payment within net 30 days, with no payment for spoiled, substandard, or non-compliant meals unless written notice is provided within three business days of service. Vendors may request annual fee increases limited to the Consumer Price Index for foods and beverages on contract renewal dates only. All proposals exceeding $150,000 must include certifications regarding independent price determination, debarment and suspension status, and lobbying activities. No specific set-asides or restrictions on organizational types are identified in the available documentation, nor are incumbent vendors or budget ranges disclosed. The school reserves the right to reject any or all bids and terminate services if deemed unsatisfactory.