RFB-2027-DCYF-02-MEALD: Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center

State of New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services
REQUEST FOR BID
FOR
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
RFB-2027-DCYF-02-MEALD
RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW 3
2. STATEMENT OF WORK 4
3. BID EVALUATION 10
4. SOLICITATION RESPONSE PROCESS 10
5. SOLICITATION RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 12
6. BID RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS 12
7. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND REQUIREMENTS 12
8. COMPLIANCE 17
9. APPENDICES TO THIS SOLICITATION 18
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
Introduction
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth
and Families ("Department") is seeking responses to this Request for Bid ("solicitation" or
"RFB") from qualified Bidders to provide dietary services and meals for the New Hampshire
Youth Treatment Center (YTC) at the New Hampshire YTC, to be located in Hampstead, NH.
Qualified Bidders must have access to the necessary facilities and equipment to prepare all
meals offsite (full kitchen not available onsite at the YTC), transport meals to YTC, and retrieve
all materials/dishes from YTC, three (3) times per day, 365 days per year.
The Department anticipates awarding one (1) contract for the services in this solicitation.
Key Information
The information in the table below is as anticipated by the Department. All information is
subject to change, the availability of funds, and/or approval by the Governor and Executive
Council.
Contract Effective Date January 2027, upon Governor and Executive Council
approval
Contract End Date June 30, 2028
Renewal Options The Department may extend contracted services for up to four
(4) additional years.
Funding Source The Department anticipates using General funds for resulting
contract.
Point of Contact Alex Rainey, Contract Specialist
Alex.D.Rainey@dhhs.nh.gov
603-271-9284
From the date of release of this solicitation until an award is made and announced regarding the
selection of a Bidder, all communication with personnel employed by or under contract with the
Department regarding this solicitation is prohibited unless first approved by the Point of Contact
listed above. Department employees have been directed not to hold conferences and/or
discussions concerning this solicitation with any potential Bidder during the selection process,
unless otherwise authorized by the Point of Contact. Bidders may be disqualified for violating this
restriction on communications.
Procurement Timetable
All times are according to Eastern Time. The Department reserves the right to modify
these dates and times at its sole discretion.
Item Action Date
1. RFB Released 7/21/2026
7/29/2026
2. Questions Submission Deadline
12:00 PM
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
Department Response to Questions 8/5/2026
3.
Published
8/12/2026
4. Bid Submission Due Date
12:00 PM
Public Bid Opening 8/12/2026
(Bidder's interested in attending the Public 2:00 PM
Bid Opening must register with the Sole Point
5. of Contact in Subsection 1.2., by email no
later than 12:00 PM Noon 8/10/2026 to
obtain information on how to attend the
opening.)
Background
1.4.1. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for
Children, Youth and Families, Youth Treatment Center
The Department's Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) provides
and manages services that strengthen families, keep children safe, and help
families thrive. Through its responsibilities in both Child Protection and Juvenile
Justice, DCYF works to support children, youth and families together in their
own homes and communities whenever possible. To achieve this, DCYF
partners closely with families, the provider community, and other DHHS
divisions. The Youth Treatment Center (YTC) is a 24-hour secure treatment
facility. A new facility will be opening in January 2027 in Hampstead, NH, with
an average daily census of up to a maximum of eighteen (18) individuals. The
program encompasses education, residential unit life, permanency planning as
well as clinical treatment services.
1.4.2. Objective
The purpose of these services is to secure a qualified food service provider
capable of delivering comprehensive, year-round food operations, including
preparation offsite, delivery/transportation to, and retrieval of all soiled service-
related materials after each meal service at the YTC.
1.4.3. Covered Populations
The populations to be receiving meals include individuals residing at the New
Hampshire YTC, and administrative staff on campus.
2. STATEMENT OF WORK
Scope of Services
2.1.1. The selected Bidder must provide food services, including offsite preparation
(full kitchen not available onsite), transportation to the premises at the YTC, and
retrieval of all soiled service related materials after meal service, in accordance
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Conditions of
Participation.
2.1.2. The selected Bidder must have access to kitchen facilities and equipment
necessary to performed all required offsite services as described herein.
2.1.3. The selected Bidder must coordinate preparatory and initial setup activities
required to deliver the services in Section 2, Statement of Work, including, but
not limited to:
2.1.3.1. Administrative setup;
2.1.3.2. Initial training; and
2.1.3.3. Preliminary set-up/work necessary to commence delivery.
2.1.4. The selected Bidder must provide approximately thirty-seven (37) breakfast,
lunch, and dinner meals, including beverages daily for individuals and
residential staff, and approximately twenty-five (25) additional lunch meals daily
for Administration / Administration Support staff members.
2.1.5. The selected Bidder must ensure meals are available at the designated time for
each meal, as specified below or as otherwise directed by the Department:
2.1.5.1. Breakfast - 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM;
2.1.5.2. Lunch - 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM & 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM; and
2.1.5.3. Dinner - 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
2.1.6. The selected Bidder must ensure services are available 365 days per year, and
must maintain uninterrupted service during severe weather, staffing shortages,
supply disruptions, equipment failures, and/or other operational emergencies.
2.1.7. The selected Bidder must provide menus for a cycle of no less than four (4)
weeks, or another period established in collaboration with YTC.
2.1.8. The selected Bidder must offer a no-pork option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
service to support the cultural needs and religious beliefs of facility youth and
staff members.
2.1.9. The selected Bidder must identify all major allergens contained in each menu
item, including, but not limited to:
2.1.9.1. Providing ingredient lists, recipes, product specifications, and nutrition
information upon request.
2.1.9.2. Providing substitutions when products are unavailable without
reducing nutritional value, portion size, or overall meal quality; and
2.1.9.3. Establishing procedures for seasonal menus, holiday meals, special
events, emergency menus, and facility-requested modifications.
2.1.10. The selected Bidder must ensure all operations are in compliance with all
applicable public health and food services laws, rules and regulations and
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
standards as established by the US Food and Drug Administration, CMS, and
federal, state, county, or city government, including, but not limited to:
2.1.10.1. New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 143 Sanitary
Production and Distribution of Food.
2.1.10.2. New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 143-A, Food
Service Licensure.
2.1.10.3. New Hampshire Administrative Rule He-P 2300, Sanitary Production
and Distribution of Food.
2.1.10.4. Food protection laws and rules for the State of New Hampshire are
found here: Food Protection Laws and Rules | New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services
2.1.11. The selected Bidder must obtain all federal, state, and local licenses and
permits required for food service operation, and shall be responsible for all
sales, use, excise, state and local income taxes and all other state and local
taxes as applicable.
2.1.12. The selected Bidder shall be provided with a daily census count by the
Department, including individuals and staff, to ensure the number of meals
provided is accurate.
2.1.13. The selected Bidder must purchase and pay for all food, beverages, supplies,
and services utilized in the food service operation. Such purchases shall be
made exclusively for the benefit of the Department and must be used solely in
the food service operation at YTC.
2.1.14. The selected Bidder must provide:
2.1.14.1. All floor stocks, including, but not limited to:
2.1.14.1.1. Dietary supplies used in food stations and pantries,
including, but not limited to snack foods, condiments,
baking supplies, and similar items.
2.1.14.1.2. Paper and plastic food service supplies, including paper
plates, cups, napkins plastic knives, forks, and spoons, and
similar items.
2.1.14.1.3. Nourishments, defined as special food and beverage items
provided for a specific individual.
2.1.14.1.4. Commercial supplements as requested by a health care
provider for a specific individual.
2.1.14.2. Additional smallwares purchased for food preparation and service,
including, but not limited to pots, pans, kitchen knives, utensils, cutting
boards, and similar items.
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Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
2.1.15. The selected Bidder must provide all licensed kitchen facilities, qualified food-
service personnel, ingredients, food-production equipment, refrigeration,
storage, packaging materials, utensils, sanitation supplies, and other resources
required to prepare, package, store, and stage meals for safe and timely
delivery.
2.1.16. The selected Bidder must use vehicles which are clean, sanitary, enclosed,
maintained in good repair, and suitable for food transportation.
2.1.17. The selected Bidder must protect food from contamination, damage, pests,
weather, and unauthorized access.
2.1.18. The selected Bidder must deliver meals in warming pans, in a temperature-
controlled transportation unit to the YTC.
2.1.19. The selected Bidder must track food temperatures during food preparation and
transport to ensure quality.
2.1.20. The selected Bidder must transport food separately from chemicals, waste, dirty
equipment, and other potentially contaminating materials.
2.1.21. The selected Bidder must retain delivery records for a period of time as specified
by the YTC.
2.1.22. The selected Bidder must develop a process, in collaboration with the YTC, to
resolve discrepancies between ordered and delivered quantities.
2.1.23. The selected Bidder must coordinate access, security screening, vehicle entry,
unloading, and delivery procedures with facility staff.
2.1.24. The selected Bidder must maintain sufficient backup vehicles and drivers to
prevent service interruptions.
2.1.25. The selected Bidder must notify the facility immediately of delays, vehicle
failures, accidents, temperature concerns, or other delivery problems.
2.1.26. The selected Bidder must comply with all facility security, parking, loading-zone,
and access requirements.
2.1.27. The selected Bidder must ensure drivers possess all required licenses,
insurance, training, and background clearances.
2.1.28. The selected Bidder must verify the number of meals and food-service items
delivered, and ensure all re-usable food-service items and utensils are present
and accounted for after each meal service, including, but not limited to:
2.1.28.1. Immediate corrective action for rejected or missing re-usable items;
and
2.1.28.2. Identification of damaged, missing, incorrect, or potentially unsafe
items.
2.1.29. The selected Bidder must supply and ensure cleanliness (wash/sterilize) of all
necessary utensils, plates, trays through utilization of an off-site dishwasher,
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
and must retrieve mobile cart after meals with all dirty serving pans/serving
utensils and eating utensils.
2.1.30. The selected Bidder must provide a registered dietician to consult with staff on
individual dietary requirements for no less than six (6) hours per day, two (2)
days each week, or as needed, on a schedule to be approved by the
Department.
2.1.31. The selected Bidder must ensure adherence to state and federal dietary
requirements, validated through monthly dietician review.
2.1.32. The selected Bidder must ensure its employees adhere to the written policies,
rules, and regulations of the Department while on the premises at YTC.
2.1.33. The YTC shall retain the right to reject food and expect remediation of any
issues within ninety (90) minutes, including new meals to be delivered, if meals:
2.1.33.1. Arrive outside required temperature ranges;
2.1.33.2. Show evidence of contamination, tampering, spoilage, or damage;
2.1.33.3. Do not match the approved menu or dietary order;
2.1.33.4. Are improperly packaged or labeled; and/or
2.1.33.5. Do not meet contract quality or portion requirements.
2.1.34. The selected Bidder must participate in meetings with the Department on a
quarterly basis, or as otherwise requested by the Department.
Reporting
2.2.1. The selected Bidder must submit monthly reports that include, but are not
limited to:
2.2.1.1. The number of individual meals served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
in the prior week;
2.2.1.2. The number of meals served to residential staff members; and
2.2.1.3. Purchases for smallwares, floor stocks, nourishments, and
commercial supplements.
2.2.2. The selected Bidder may be required to provide other key data and metrics to
the Department in a format specified by the Department.
2.2.3. The selected Bidder may be required to facilitate reviews of files conducted by
the Department on a monthly basis, or as otherwise requested by the
Department, that may include, but are not limited to:
2.2.3.1. Purchase records of food and supplies.
2.2.3.2. Payroll records.
2.2.3.3. Menus.
2.2.4. The selected Bidder may be required to refund the Department in the event
expenditures during the State Fiscal Year are less than the annual allowance
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amount, in which case the Department will receive a credit for the difference
between actual expenditures and the annual allowance amount.
2.2.5. Performance Measures
2.2.5.1. The selected Bidder's performance will be evaluated using the
following measurable standards:
2.2.5.1.1. Temperature control: Ninety-eight (98) percent of meals
must meet required hot and cold holding temperatures
upon delivery.
2.2.5.1.2. Menu accuracy: No more than one (1) percent variance
between planned menus and meals served each month.
2.2.5.1.3. Customer satisfaction: Quarterly feedback from facility
staff and youth should meet or exceed a ninety (90)
percent satisfaction rating.
2.2.6. Background Checks
2.2.6.1. Prior to permitting any individual to provide services under this
Agreement, the selected Bidder must ensure that said individual has
undergone:
2.2.6.1.1. A criminal background check, at the Bidder's expense,
and has no convictions for crimes that represent
evidence of behavior that could endanger individuals
served under this Agreement;
2.2.6.1.2. A name search of the Department's Bureau of Elderly
and Adult Services (BEAS) State Registry, pursuant to
RSA 161-F:49, with results indicating no evidence of
behavior that could endanger individuals served under
this Agreement; and
2.2.6.1.3. A name search of the Department's Division for Children,
Youth and Families (DCYF) Central Registry pursuant to
RSA 169-C:35, with results indicating no evidence of
behavior that could endanger individuals served under
this Agreement.
2.2.7. Immunization Requirements
2.2.7.1. The selected Bidder must provide proof of immunizations required in
accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Recommendations for Immunization of Health-Care Workers,
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory
Committee for drivers and other personnel that will be on the premises
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Meal & Dietary Services for Youth Treatment Center
at YTC or in vehicles with individuals, at the request of the Department.
This includes, but is not limited to, proof of:
2.2.7.1.1. Tuberculosis screening results dated within the last year
prior to the effective date of this agreement;
2.2.7.1.2. Hepatitis B vaccination or immunity initiation;
2.2.7.1.3. Immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox;
2.2.7.1.4. Influenza vaccination during influenza season if not
contraindicated; and
2.2.7.1.5. Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination
within the past ten (10) years.
Bid Requirements
2.3.1. The selected Bidder must provide two (2) references for whom the Bidder has
provided similar services in the previous five (5) years.
3. BID EVALUATION
Bid Scoring
3.1.1. Bid scores will be calculated based on the Total Cost Bid as submitted on
Appendix A-1, Bid Cost Sheet.
Bidder Selection
3.2.1. Bidders must complete Appendix A, Transmittal Cover Letter, Bidder
Information and A-1 Bid Cost Sheet, and submit the supporting documentation
in accordance with Section 6, Bid Response Requirements, Subsection 6.2, Bid
Contents, by the Bid Submission Deadline in Subsection 1.3, Procurement
Timetable.
3.2.2. Public Bids will be opened on the day and time specified in Subsection 1.3,
Procurement Timetable.
3.2.3. One (1) Bidder with the lowest Annualized Cost Bid as submitted on A-1 Bid
Cost Sheet, will be selected.
3.2.4. Should the Department be unable to reach agreement with the selected Bidder
during Contract discussions, the Department may then undertake Contract
discussions with the next lowest Bidder, and so forth. Such discussions may
continue at the sole option of the Department, until an agreement is reached, or
all Proposals are rejected.
3.2.5. Bids must conform to all instructions, requirements and contents indicated
below and in Subsection 1.2.
4. SOLICITATION RESPONSE PROCESS
Questions and Answers
4.1.1. Bidder's Questions
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