Term Contract for Temporary Canteen (Meal Catering) Disaster/Emergency for Jefferson County

Jefferson County, Texas has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) 25-019/CG for a Term Contract for Temporary Canteen (Meal Catering) Disaster/Emergency services. The procurement seeks a contractor capable of providing comprehensive meal catering during natural or man-made disaster scenarios, with specific service requirements including the ability to serve up to 500 meals per regular serving time and an additional 200 cold meals/boxed lunches per evening shift. The contract term is one year with potential renewal options for two additional one-year periods. Bids are due by 11:00 am CST on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and will be publicly opened at the Jefferson County Engineering Department Conference Room. The successful contractor will be responsible for preparing and serving meals at the Jefferson County Courthouse and potentially other locations during disaster situations, with detailed menu specifications outlined in Appendix A. Bidders must provide per-meal pricing for various meal types including breakfast, lunch, dinner, boxed lunch/dinner, and cold breakfast. Evaluation criteria will likely include pricing, operational capabilities, and compliance with specified meal preparation and health safety standards.

The county actively encourages participation from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs), and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with federal and state regulations regarding equal opportunity, lobbying, and debarment. The county will provide the cafeteria facility, standard utilities, existing equipment, and preventive maintenance for cafeteria-related equipment. Contractors must demonstrate the capability to maintain sufficient food products, equipment, and staffing to serve meals during disaster situations. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract's disaster response focus suggests potential for significant meal service volumes. The procurement emphasizes operational readiness, requiring contractors to have robust infrastructure and flexible service capabilities to respond to emergency meal service needs across Jefferson County.