Vanguard Academy - Food Service Meals, Snack, and Milk for Federal Child Nutrition Programs

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, conducting procurement on behalf of Vanguard Academy, is requesting proposals for vended food service meals, snacks, and milk complying with USDA Child Nutrition Program regulations (NSLP, SBP) with proposals due October 13, 2026 at 11:30 PM MDT; a public proposal opening will occur October 13 at 9:00 AM MDT and contract award by the Board of Directors is scheduled for October 21, 2026.

The scope covers daily meal and snack delivery to approximately 1,016 regular and special education students across two locations (Vanguard High School and Vanguard Middle School, both in West Valley City, Utah). Breakfast must be delivered by 10:00 AM for next-day service; lunch is delivered same-day for service. Meals must comply with detailed federal and state regulations including USDA CFR parts 210, 215, 220, 225, 226, 240, 245, and 250. The vendor must maintain HACCP plans, temperature logs, menu compliance records, and meal count documentation for three years plus the current year, and must incorporate USDA donated foods with crediting at current-year commodity file prices.

The contract term runs November 2, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with options to renew annually up to four additional one-year terms on a fixed-price basis with pricing guaranteed per the solicitation period. Pricing is submitted per-meal using the Pricing Schedule (Exhibit C), with lunch weighted at 75% and breakfast at 25% of cost evaluation.

Evaluation employs a three-stage process: Stage 1 screens for mandatory requirements including documentation certification, cost-change notification capability, and menu compliance certification; Stage 2 scores technical criteria across six categories—menu compliance, quality of hot healthy meals with whole grains and minimal processed ingredients, proposal responsiveness, staff qualifications and experience, client references, and additional services offered—totaling 300 points (25% of total score); Stage 3 evaluates cost at 200 points (75% of total score), with the lowest-cost vendor receiving maximum cost points and others receiving proportional points based on cost differential. Maximum total score is 500 points. The vendor must obtain Commercial General Liability insurance ($1 million per occurrence minimum) and Automobile Liability insurance ($1 million combined single limit), naming the School Food Authority as additional insured. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible offeror with the highest combined score.