RFP for Food Service Management Company (FSMC)

The International Academy of Smyrna in Georgia is soliciting proposals for a food service management contract to operate its elementary school nutrition program for the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The request for proposal, identified by solicitation number PE-55980-NONST-2026-000000001 and issued on May 1, 2026, requires respondents to submit sealed hard-copy proposals by 3:30 p.m. on June 1, 2026, to the school’s address in Smyrna, Georgia. Proposals must be completed using the provided forms, include proof of Georgia incorporation, audited financial statements, and evidence of prior experience in school food service operations. Offerors must choose between a cost-reimbursable or fixed meal price structure and are prohibited from submitting electronic or faxed responses. The contract is governed by state-level requirements and references federal standards including the USDA Food Buying Guide, Buy American Act, 7 CFR Parts 210 and 220, and 2 CFR Part 200, with an emphasis on nutritional compliance, food safety, and student confidentiality. All food must be domestically sourced, properly labeled with pack dates and country of origin, and handled under strict temperature controls. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted on a trade-off basis across ten factors totaling 100 points, with cost and financial proposal carrying the highest weight at 25%, while non-cost factors such as service capability, experience with similar school systems, financial stability, accounting systems, personnel management, innovation, promotion of Georgia Grown and Farm to School initiatives, and student and staff engagement collectively account for 75% of the score. Contractors must comply with background checks for all personnel, maintain confidentiality of SFA information and protected personally identifiable data, and adhere to a non-solicitation clause preventing recruitment of each other’s key employees during the term. The contract requires adherence to HACCP plans, Davis-Bacon, Clean Air Act, and FDA biosecurity standards, with inspections conducted on-site at the school facility. Payment terms require monthly invoicing within ten days after each accounting period, with reimbursement due within net 30 days, though no specific payment office, electronic invoicing system like WAWF, or treasury account codes are provided. The award will be made to the most advantageous proposal based on a comprehensive assessment of technical merit and