Food and Nutrition Programs

Food Service Management Company Contracting Procedures FY 2026

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 7CFR 210.21 as well as National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Uniform Administrative regulations set forth in 2CFR 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 FSMC.

All districts who are required to go out to bid must use the template.

RFP/Contract Template

The RFP/Contract template is a web-based form to be completed in the security portal. Districts will be able to complete the RFP/Contract Template online and produce a password-protected Word document upon approval. The entire RFP/Contract process is completed in the security portal: Navigate to: Nutrition School Lunch > School Lunch and Breakfast > Applications > FSMC RFPs.

Contract Renewal Procedures

SFAs who are currently using the FSMC RFP/Contract Template will exercise their option to renew a contract through the 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 > FSMC Contract Extension.

SFAs who have yet to adopt the RFP/Contract Template (contracts prior to SY 22-23) will exercise their option to renew a contract in compliance with NSLP regulations by submitting the following:

• An unexecuted contract amendment.
• Applicable referenced attachments,
• Certificates of lobbying and debarment; and
• Disclosure of lobbying as applicable.

All documents for districts renewing existing contracts (districts who have not yet been required to utilize the RFP/Contract template) should be emailed to Bridget Ziniti with copies to Julianna Valcour and Jeannie Anthony .

Deadlines

RFP/Contract Template: The completed RFP section of the template must be submitted for approval from our office no later than January 30, 2026. All RFPs must be approved prior to posting. DESE will respond within two weeks of receipt of the 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 24, 2026.

All unexecuted contract renewals are due June 5, 2026.

Training

Registration is required by November 28, 2025

Join us virtually on Thursday, December 4th, from 9:30 am – 11:30 for training around the completion of the template and to answer questions about the process. The information provided is essential to being prepared to utilize and implement the RFP/Contract Template. This training will cover:

• Navigating the web-based forms to complete the RFP, scoring the proposals, and awarding the contract
• Timelines, addendums, and amendments
• Opportunities for questions

Ensure that registered participants are employed directly by the district, as we cannot accommodate FSMC employees.

Resources:

USDA's FSMC Guidance for SFAs and scoring examples can be found in the "NSLP - Food Service Management Company" section of the Document and Reference Library within the DESE Security Portal.

For questions, please contact FSMC.Template@mass.gov .

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.