Food Services for Pierce County Jail and Juvenile Detention Center

Pierce County is soliciting a full-service food program under RFP 2026-RFP-069 to provide daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the Pierce County Jail and Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center. The selected contractor will manage on-site cook-and-serve operations, utilizing contracted staff at Remann Hall and a combination of contract staff and inmate workers at the Jail. The scope includes providing meals for incarcerated adults, detained youth, and correctional staff, with a requirement that adult meals meet National Commission on Correctional Healthcare standards and a daily caloric count of 2,600. The contract is expected to last 48 months with two optional one-year renewals, and the provider must be fully operational by November 21, 2026. Operational requirements emphasize strict safety and health compliance, including the prohibition of items that can be converted into weapons, such as bones or foil. All personnel must undergo rigorous background checks and obtain appropriate security clearances and County-issued identification to access the facilities. The award will be based on the most qualified proposer, evaluated through a points-based system, reference checks, and potential interviews. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal by September 30, 2026. The contractor is responsible for maintaining high-quality food service in accordance with industry standards and passing inspections by the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department.