Project Information

Bid Title

Nonprofit School Food Service

Issuing Agency

School District of DeSoto County

Location

Florida

Published Date

Jan 17, 2026

Closing Date

Jan 28, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

RFP 2526-001 DOCUMENTS

Resource

• DESOTORFP2526-01SchoolFoodServiceManagementCompBidPack.pdf
• RFP2526-001FSMCQA.pdf
• CompensationPlan2024-2025_1-14-25Update-BoardApproved1.pdf
• 2024DCEAESPBargainingAgreement-BoardApproved1.pdf
• dcalendars11month.pdf
• Bcalendars12months.pdf
• foodServiceGcalendar25-26.pdf
• ATTACHMENT1.pdf
• Pricelist.pdf
• EndofYearallclaimsSY2425.pdf
• YTDallclaimsSY25_26.pdf
• FoodServiceBudget24-25.pdf
• DesotoTransparent.png

Attachment Preview

Revised November 2025

Request for Proposal and Contract

Nonprofit School Food Service

Food Service Management Company

DESOTO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Name of Sponsor

DeSoto County School Board

November 2025

RFP# 2526-001

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Revised November 2025

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations

and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,

disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape,

American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay

Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program

Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-

28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to

USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of

the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR)

about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be

submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:

program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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SECTION 1

INSTRUCTIONS

Revised November 2025

1.1 Notice of Proposal

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for the purpose of obtaining responses from caterers and vendors

to provide meal services for the DeSoto County School Board (SDDC), School Food Authority (SFA).

Child Nutrition Programs operated may include the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)

National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack

Program (ASP), School Dinner Program (SDP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the

Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Meal service may also be requested during declared emergencies

or when emergency shelters are in operation due to man-made or natural disasters. DeSoto County

School District (SFA/sponsor) is a public school located in Arcadia, Florida. The goal of the Food

Service Program is to secure a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to provide healthy,

minimally processed, wholesome, appealing meals and a la carte food items, with maximum

participation for our student population and staff.

The DeSoto County School Board (SDDC) is accepting Proposals for Qualifications from Food

Service Management Companies (FSMC) for the purpose of providing complete management and

operations of all food service facilities for the DeSoto County School Board (SDDC), Florida School

Food Authority (SFA). Meal programs will include the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The DeSoto County

School Board is a public school district located in DeSoto County, Florida.

The DeSoto County School Board consists of five elected officials responsible for the adoption of

policies which govern the operation of the District's public schools. The Superintendent of Schools

is also an elected official responsible for the administration and management of the public school

system.

A successful contractor will be responsible for conducting a food service program which fulfills the

objectives of the District and has the capability to provide food service support during emergency

situations or emergency operations. Proposers are advised to keep in mind the primary goals of

the District when compiling their proposals. District objectives include but are not limited to the

following:

A.) To increase student meal participation at all levels:

1. Ensure consistency of high-quality food served at each kitchen,

2. Actively solicit school and community input,

3. Provide a variety of menu choices to meet dietary requirements,

4. Practice successful marketing outreach with a strong emphasis on public relations, and

5. Establish and maintain a stringent cleanliness/sanitation program.

B.) To establish a formal structure to gather input routinely and continuously from school food service

employees to ensure effective and efficient operations.

C.) To establish and conduct management and operational staff training programs that will ensure

appropriate staff development, proper supervision, consistent quality control, and exercise

appropriate safety procedures

D.) To develop and maintain model management/operations staffing patterns at all schools, based upon

their individual needs, which will assure quality service and retention of qualified employees.

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Revised November 2025

E.) To maximize recycling efforts and minimize contributions to the solid waste stream.

F.) To select a FSMC that will guarantee a surplus $200,000 fund balance, including the annually

approved indirect cost rate, for the SFA food service operation for school year 2026-2027 and

beyond. The food service management program is presently operated by the SDDC. The program

encompasses all aspects of food service operations for all schools within the SDDC. For the

purposes of this Request for Proposal (RFP), SDDC will be synonymous with the SFA.

1.2 Proposal Submission

Responses should address each of the requirements set forth in this RFP. Please provide the

requested information no later than 2:00 PM EST on 1/28/2026 to the address below. Responses will

be publicly opened at 2:05 PM EST on 1/28/2026 to be evaluated per the criteria specified in

subsection 1.4, below.

DeSoto County School Board (Sponsor name)

Superintendent Dr. Bobby Bennett

Director of Finance, Rosa Vargas or Michelle Sikes (Purchasing Specialist)

530 LaSolona Ave (Address)

Arcadia, Florida, 34266 (City, State, Zip)

1.3 Timeline

December 18, 2025 , Proposal available to public

January 8, 2026 , Site Visit (Mandatory) at 530 La Salona Avenue, Arcadia, FL 34266 at

2:00 P.M.

January 13, 2026 , Proposal questions due

January 16, 2026 , Proposal questions answered by publishing Addendum 1, if

applicable

January 28, 2026 , Proposal submissions due by 2:00 P.M. EST

January 28, 2026 , Proposal submissions publicly opened at 2:05 P.M., at 530 La Salona

Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266.

February 4, 2026 , SFA review of Proposals

February 4, 2026 , SFA recommendation to FDACS and FDACS review

February 20, 2026 , FDACS review provided to SFA

February 24, 2026 , Contract award

July 1, 2026

, Awarded Vendor begins service

1.4 Evaluation Criteria

Proposals received will be reviewed to ensure all material has been submitted as specified in this

RFP. The evaluation of proposals will be conducted in accordance with the below criteria. Contract

award decision will be made based on the vendor that attains the greatest overall proposal score. It

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Revised November 2025

is for the management Vendor to show their expertise, experience, and capability in the proposal

document to meet the needs of SDDC. Please be complete, clear, and concise in your proposal. The

following categories are the principal criteria that will be considered in the evaluation of the proposals:

1. Total Fixed Meal Charge (25 points) – The lowest cost proposal.

2. Menus/Product Identifications/Nutrition Analyses (20 points) – Ability to provide multiple

choices for K12 students.

3. Marketing Plan/Training/Transition Plan (15 points) – Marketing strategies for increased

breakfast and lunch, meal participation/staff training/transition plan implementation time line,

and in school marketing to students.

4. Company Experience (15 points) – Only companies with a minimum of five years of experience

with the National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs will be considered. Up to 5 points for

experience in Florida (1 per year).

5. Experience of On-Site Management Company Staff (10 points) – General Manager must have a

minimum of five years of experience with National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs. Again,

extra consideration for experience in Florida.

6. Procurement (10 points) – Specifically the quality of food to be purchased.

7. References (5 points) – Vendor expertise, experience, and references from clients

served.

The SDDC will evaluate the proposals, based on the above criteria and select the Food Service

Management Company that the District feels that is most advantageous to the program, with price

and other factors considered.

1.5 Proposal Exhibits (Attachments)

1. Exhibit A – Location of schools

2. Exhibit B – Approved 21-day cycle menu

3. Exhibit C – Current NSLP Nutrition Standard Guidelines

4. Exhibit D – 2025-2026 School Calendar (next year Calendar pending)

5. Exhibit E – Current Employees and Work Schedule

5. Exhibit F – Drug-Free Workplace Program Bidder Certification

6. Exhibit G – Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and

Voluntary Exclusion

7. Exhibit H – Certification Regarding Lobbying

8. Exhibit I – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

9. Exhibit J – Proposal Summary

10. Exhibit K – Annual Financial Report

11. Exhibit L – Non-Collusion Affidavit

12. Exhibit M – Sample Invoice

13. Exhibit N – A La Carte and Adult Meals

14. Exhibit O – Proof of Completion of FNW Vendor Training

1.6 Questions and Site Visits

There will be a mandatory Site Visit/Prebid conference on January 8, 2026, at 530 LaSolona Avenue,

Arcadia, FL 34266 at 2:00 P.M. Questions concerning this RFP and site visit must be submitted in

writing by January 13,2026, via email to Michelle Sikes, Purchasing Specialist, via email at

michelle.sikes@desotoschools.com. All responses to questions received will be on the District website

and available to all potential vendors on January 16, 2026.

1.7 Addenda

Revisions which modify the RFP documents, by addition, deletions, clarifications, or corrections will

be on the district website and available to all potential vendors.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 722310Food Service Contractors

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