School Food Authorities (SFAs) contracting with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) and exercising their option to renew an existing contract must follow procurement standards specified in 7Code of Federal Regulations CFR 210.21 as well as National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Uniform Administrative regulations set forth in 2Code of Federal Regulations CFR Part 200 (referred to as the Super Circular).
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) has created a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Contract Template that is required to be used by Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that contract with an Food Service Management Company FSMC.
All districts who are required to go out to bid must use the template.
The Request for Proposal RFP/Contract template is a web-based form to be completed in the security portal. Districts will be able to complete the Request for Proposal RFP/Contract Template online and produce a password-protected Word document upon approval. The entire Request for Proposal RFP/Contract process is completed in the security portal: Navigate to: Nutrition School Lunch > School Lunch and Breakfast > Applications > Food Service Management Company FSMC Requests for Proposals RFPs.
School Food Authorities SFAs who are currently using the Food Service Management Company FSMC Request for Proposal RFP/Contract Template will exercise their option to renew a contract through the Food Service Management Company FSMC Contract Extension Page. Instructions for renewal are available in the help section of the template renewal page. Navigate to: Nutrition School Lunch > School Lunch and Breakfast > Applications > Food Service Management Company FSMC Contract Extension.
Request for Proposal RFP/Contract Template: The completed Request for Proposal RFP section of the template must be submitted for approval from our office no later than January 29, 2027. All Requests for Proposals RFPs must be approved prior to posting. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE will respond within two weeks of receipt of the Request for Proposal RFP.
Upon completion of the procurement process, the mutually agreed upon unsigned contract related data and contract documents must be submitted, for approval from our office by April 23, 2027.
All unexecuted contract renewals are due June 4, 2027.
Food Service Management Company Request for Proposal RFP/Contract Template Training — Tuesday, December 1st, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Registration is required by November 24, 2026.
Join us virtually on December 1st for tips and strategies for completing your Request for Proposal RFP/Contract using the state mandated template and to answer questions about the procurement process. The information provided is essential to being prepared to utilize and implement the Request for Proposal RFP/Contract Template. This training will cover:
Ensure that registered participants are employed directly by the district, as we cannot accommodate Food Service Management Company FSMC employees.
United States Department of Agriculture USDA's Food Service Management Company FSMC Guidance for School Food Authorities SFAs and scoring examples can be found in the "National School Lunch Program NSLP - Food Service Management Company" section of the Document and Reference Library within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Security Portal.
For questions, please contact FSMC.Template@mass.gov .
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