RFP # EPSD.DISTRICT.2026.0002 - Food Service Management Company

Location:	Rhode Island
Posted:	May 6, 2026
Due:	Jun 5, 2026
Agency:	East Providence City Schools
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	S - Utilities and Training Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposal

Food Service Management Company (FSMC) for

School Food Service Program

Cost Reimbursable

Request for Proposal

And

Contract

RFP Reference Number: EPSD.DISTRICT.2026.0002

RFP Release Date: May 5th 2026

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RFP Issued By:

East Providence School District

1998 Pawtucket Ave East Providence RI 02914

Alexandra Gonzalez

Finance Director

401-270-8243

The Food Service Management Company hereby agrees that it will comply with Title VI of

the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.), Title IX of the Education

Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of

1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.); all

provisions required by the implementing regulations of the Department of Agriculture;

Department of Justice Enforcement Guidelines, 28 CFR Part SO.3 and 42; and FNS directives

and guidelines, to the effect that, no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national

origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or

retaliation for prior civil rights activity, be excluded from participation in, be denied

benefits or, otherwise be subject to discrimination under any program or activity for which

the program applicant receives Federal financial assistance from FNS; and hereby gives

assurance that it will immediately take measures necessary to effectuate this agreement.

By accepting this assurance, the Food Service Management Company agrees to compile

data, maintain records, and submit reports as required, to permit effective enforcement of

nondiscrimination laws and permit authorized USDA personnel during hours of program

operation to review such records, books, and accounts as needed to ascertain compliance

with the nondiscrimination laws. If there are any violations of this assurance, the

Department of Agriculture, FNS, shall have the right to seek judicial enforcement of this

assurance. This assurance is binding on the Program applicant, its successors, transferee,

and assignees as long as it receives assistance or retains possession of any assistance from

USDA. The person or persons whose signatures appear below are authorized to sign this

assurance on the behalf of the Foods Service Management Company.

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Table of Contents

Section 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 5

Section 2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ..................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Legal Notice...................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Request for Proposal ..................................................................................................................... 5

2.3 Basic FSMC Requirements............................................................................................................. 6

2.4 Pre-Proposal Meeting and Site Visit ........................................................................................... 9

2.5 Proposal Submission and Award................................................................................................. 9

2.6 Proposal Evaluation ..................................................................................................................... 17

2.7 Exceptions and Deviations.......................................................................................................... 20

2.8 Contract .......................................................................................................................................... 21

2.9 Notices ............................................................................................................................................ 22

Section 3. STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS .............................................................................. 25

3.1 Definitions and General Terms.................................................................................................. 25

3.2 Scope and Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 30

3.3 SFA Objectives & Responsibilities ............................................................................................. 31

3.4 FSMC Objectives & Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 37

3.5 Nutrition Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 48

3.6 Financial Terms, Payments, and Financial Assumptions ..................................................... 49

3.7 Execution and Exclusivity ........................................................................................................... 55

3.8 Restrictive Covenants .................................................................................................................. 55

3.9 Term and Termination ................................................................................................................ 57

Section 4. List of Attachments............................................................................................................... 59

Attachment A - Proposed 21 Day Cycle Menu Template-Breakfast/A la Carte....................... 60

Attachment B - Proposed 21 Day Cycle Menu Template-Lunch/A la Carte ............................. 60

Attachment C - Proposed 11 Day Cycle Menu-Afterschool Snack Program ............................. 60

Attachment D - Proposed SFSP Breakfast, Lunch/Supper, Snack Menus................................. 60

Attachment E - Proposed CACFP Breakfast, Lunch/Supper, Snack Menus .............................. 60

Attachment F - SFA’s Wellness Policy.............................................................................................. 60

Attachment G - Current and Projected School Calendar ............................................................. 60

Attachment H – Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708)...... 60

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Attachment I – Debarment & Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689) .................. 62

Attachment J – Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352) ............................................ 63

Attachment K - Independent Price Determination Certification............................................... 64

Attachment L - Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.) and the Federal Water Pollution

Control Act (U.S.C. 1251-1387) ......................................................................................................... 65

Attachment M - Current Year End Food Service Financial Report ............................................ 65

Attachment N - Premises ................................................................................................................... 65

Attachment O - Enrollment, Average Daily Participation & CEP................................................ 66

Attachment P - Current POS System ................................................................................................ 66

Attachment Q - Current Labor Roster & Fringe Benefits............................................................. 66

Attachment R - Proposed Labor Roster & Fringe Benefits.......................................................... 66

Attachment S - Established Selling Prices ...................................................................................... 66

Attachment T – Minimum USDA Food Specifications................................................................... 66

Attachment U - RI Nutrition Requirements 200-RICR-20-25-4 ................................................. 66

Attachment V – Additional SFA Food & Product Specifications ................................................. 66

Attachment W - Duties & Responsibility Summary...................................................................... 66

Attachment X - Meal Equivalent Formula....................................................................................... 66

Attachment Y - Equipment Purchase(s) Specifications ............................................................... 67

Attachment Z - Current Equipment Cost & Loan Amortization Schedule ................................ 67

Attachment AA - Proposed Budget .................................................................................................. 67

Attachment AB – Equal Employment Opportunity ....................................................................... 67

Attachment AC – Statement of Commitment.................................................................................. 68

Attachment AD – FSMC UCOA Invoice Template ........................................................................... 68

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Section 1. INTRODUCTION

The School Food Authority (SFA), is seeking sealed proposals for the management of its

School Food Service Program for school year 2026-2027, with options for renewal of four

(4) periods of one (1) year each.

This solicitation is designed to ensure open and free competition, to establish a level playing

field for all interested contractors, to produce an adequate number of competitive proposals

that will be evaluated according to the criteria specified in this Request for Proposal (RFP)

with price used as the primary factor in the award decision. The SFA seeks proposals for a

cost-reimbursement, plus fixed fee contract. The successful contractor must demonstrate

that its management of the School Food Service Program will in all respects comply with the

laws, regulations, and standards of the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Education

(RIDE) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Section 2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

2.1 Legal Notice

No intent should be construed from this legal notice that the SFA intends to enter into a

contract with any party for alternative food service unless, in the sole opinion of the SFA, it

is in the SFA’s best interest to do so.

The SFA reserves the right to accept or reject without prejudice, any or all proposals or to

waive any irregularities therein, or to accept the proposal deemed to be in the best

interests of the SFA. The SFA shall not be held responsible for any expense incurred in the

preparation or subsequent presentation of the Food Service Management Company’s

(FSMC) response to this RFP.

2.2 Request for Proposal

The purpose of this request is to provide for the successful operation of a nutritious, quality

Food Service Program in the East Providence School District. The FSMC will assume

responsibility for the efficient management of the East Providence School District’s Food

Service Program including purchasing, receiving, storing, setting up cafeteria lines, counter

service, dining room service, clean-up, sanitation, training, hiring and supervising personnel,

and presenting food in a way that produces optimum student participation. This

responsibility will include the FSMC’s adherence to all rules and regulations of USDA and the

RIDE, and the proper use of federally donated commodities. This proposal assumes that

current meal prices will be maintained, unless otherwise requested by the East Providence

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.