Congregate Site Management Program

The County of Merced is soliciting bids for the Congregate Site Management Program under solicitation number 7667, with a proposed start date of July 1, 2027, and an unspecified end date. The contract, valued at an estimated $525,000, is funded through a combination of federal, state, and local resources and is structured as a special services agreement with no formal FAR clauses applied. The scope of work includes managing congregate meal delivery and service at six locations across the county: Atwater, Dos Palos, Livingston, Los Banos, Merced, Planada, and Winton. Meal services must adhere to strict food safety standards, maintaining cold food below 40°F, hot food above 140°F, and frozen food between -10°F and 0°F, with daily temperature logs required for audit. Menus must be posted at each site in the predominant language of participants, and all operations must comply with state and federal regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act, California Health and Safety Code, OSHA, and prevailing wage laws. Evaluation of proposals will be based on a best-value trade-off approach, weighing technical merit and performance capability over lowest cost. The scoring criteria includes 45 points for site management effectiveness, 30 points for staffing qualifications and continuity, 20 points for cost effectiveness, and 5 points for outreach efforts. Offerors must submit detailed resumes, turnover data, contingency plans, and demonstrable experience in food service management, along with a comprehensive cost proposal. Contractors must be Merced County-based businesses, provide proof of insurance including $1 million in sexual abuse coverage, maintain a drug-free workplace, and ensure staff hold current Serve Safe and First Aid certifications. The contract mandates strict confidentiality per Welfare and Institutions Code §10850, requires submission of a transition plan upon termination, and imposes Single Audit obligations if federal expenditures exceed $1 million annually. Proposals must follow a strict format with signature page, executive summary, approach, qualifications, and cost sections, submitted electronically via the County’s Supplier Portal or in hard copy to the Department of Administrative Services by the published deadline. All bids must be received by August 13, 2026, and the County retains sole authority for inspection, acceptance, and final approval of services rendered.