Food and Nutrition Programs

Updates to Federal Procurement Thresholds

To:
Sponsoring Organizations of Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs)
From:
Robert Leshin, Director, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Date:
February 2, 2026

On December 15, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified state agencies that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the following updated federal procurement thresholds effective October 1, 2025:

  • Federal micro-purchase threshold: increased from $10,000 to $15,000; and
  • Federal simplified acquisition threshold (formerly known as the Federal small (informal) purchase threshold): increased from $250,000 to $350,000.

These threshold levels apply to all USDA Child Nutrition Programs including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Special Milk Program (SMP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Effective October 1, 2025, sponsors Not restricted by Massachusetts Uniform Procurement Act (M.G.L. c.30B) may implement the increased micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds.

Sponsors restricted by Massachusetts Uniform Procurement Act (M.G.L. c.30B) must follow the most restrictive procurement requirement, whether federal, state, or local. Currently, the federal micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds exceed state limits. Therefore, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B (M.G.L. c. 30B) regulations apply to both formal and micro-purchase procurement thresholds, as they are more restrictive.

As a reminder, while state dollar thresholds are more restrictive, sponsors are still required, to the extent practicable, to distribute micro-purchases equitably among qualified supplies ("spreading the wealth") as outlined by federal procurement regulations.

Sponsors operating the federal Child Nutrition Programs are required to maintain written purchasing procedures that include applicable thresholds and a code of conduct governing the performance of their officers, employees, or agents engaged in contract awards and administration when the contract is funded in whole or in part by USDA program funds.

New Federal Procurement Threshold Guideline Summary:

  • Purchases of less than $15,0000: Purchases do not require ordinary competitive procedures. To the extent practicable, purchases must be equitably distributed among qualified suppliers.
  • Purchases of $15,001 to $349,999: Small purchase procurement procedures must be followed (three quotes must be collected prior to completing a contract).
  • Purchases of more than $350,000: A formal competitive bid (large purchase) is required through a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). CACFP and SFSP sponsors are required to use the DESE template of the IFB available in the document and reference library.

Sponsors should disseminate this information to appropriate personnel. If you have questions concerning the updated to the federal procurement thresholds, contact your DESE Consultant or Financial Management Team.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Last Updated: February 2, 2026

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