The emergency food assistance program (TEFAP) and fresh produce initiative, and state funds for cibola and mckinley county

The New Mexico Health Care Authority and State Purchasing Division (General Services Department) are requesting proposals from Regional Emergency Feeding Organizations to administer The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and provide fresh produce distribution in Cibola and McKinley counties, with proposals due September 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. MST/MDT and a mandatory pre-proposal conference on August 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. MST/MDT via Microsoft Teams.

Contractors must be 501(c)(3) organizations or equivalent governmental or educational institutions, verified during proposal evaluation. The scope includes receiving, storing, and delivering USDA commodity foods to local emergency feeding organizations serving eligible households and homeless shelters in compliance with 7 CFR 247, 250, and 251. Contractors must maintain a blanket Fidelity Bond covering at least 25% of total contract budget and submit quarterly reports documenting all purchased food items, fresh fruits, and vegetables distributed by county; reimbursement requests may be submitted monthly or at minimum quarterly.

TEFAP funds totaling $2.735 million in federal fiscal year 2025 entitlement are 100% federally funded. State funds will be made available for purchasing, packaging, and shipping fresh produce and food items. Allowable expenditures include salaries, benefits, contracts, capital and non-capital equipment, supplies, fuel, utilities, and maintenance costs associated with USDA Foods distribution.

The contract term is one year from award with options to extend for up to five additional years on a year-to-year basis by mutual agreement, not to exceed six years total. Multiple awards are anticipated, all limited to Cibola and McKinley counties. The evaluation period runs September 18–28, 2026, with contract awards anticipated by October 5, 2026. Offerors submitting a fully completed Cost Response Form will receive the maximum 300 available points for cost, meaning cost will not be competitively scored. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the SPD's EProNM system.