Weehawken Township School District 2026/2027 School Year RFP For Food Service Management Company

New Jersey Department of
Agriculture (NJDA)
Division of Food and Nutrition
(DFN)
Food Service Management Company
(FSMC)
FIXED PRICE
Request for Proposal (RFP) and
Contract
Form 17FP
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 1 of 62

Table of Contents
School Food Authority Information
Civil Rights Statement
Advertisement Language
Current and Potential Future Programs
Definitions
I. General Information
a. Procurement
b. Award Criteria/Methodology
c. RFP Protests
d. Security to Accompany Bid; Amount
e. Captions
f. Contract Term
g. Errors or Omissions
h. Final Contract
i. Gifts from FSMC
j. Late Proposals
k. Meal Equivalents
l. Payment and Fees
m. Additional Information
n. Minimum Food Specifications
o. Equipment
p. Staffing Options
II. Standard Terms and Conditions
a. General Terms
b. Signature Authority
c. Free and Reduced-Price Meals Policy; Point of Service Meal Count
d. USDA Donated Foods
e. Crediting for and Use of Donated Foods
f. Inventory, Storage and Record Retention of USDA Donated Foods
g. Contract Renewal
h. Contract Renewal Assumptions
i. Health Certifications
j. Meals
k. Books, Records, Reports, and Audits
l. Employees/Personnel
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 2 of 62

m. Monitoring
n. Menus; Advisory Boards
o. Inventory, Equipment, Storage and Use of Facilities
p. Purchases
q. Payment/Invoices
r. Catering
s. Buy American
t. Sanitation
u. Emergency Closing
v. Non-Performance, Negligence, or Breach of Contracts by the FSMC
w. Term and Termination
x. Energy Policy and Conservation Act/Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards
Act/Environmental Protection/ Clean Air/Federal Water Pollution Control
y. Insurance
z. Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
aa. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
bb.Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information
cc. Purchase of Fresh Milk
dd.Equal Employment/Affirmative Action
ee. Drug Free Workplace
ff. SOC 1 Report
gg. New Jersey Business Registration Requirements
hh.Political Contributions
ii. Debarment/Suspension Certificate
jj. Certificate of Independent Price Determination/FSMC Warranty
kk. Certification Regarding Lobbying
ll. Statement of Ownership Disclosure
mm. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran
nn.Civil Rights Assurance
oo. Licenses, Permits and Taxes
pp. Indemnification
III. Forms
RFP Scoring Criteria and Evaluation Form
Costs Included in the Fixed Price Per Meal
Fixed Price Cost Responsibility Summary
FSMC/SFA Activity Responsibility Summary
SFA Minimum Staffing Requirements
SFA Requested Equipment
SFA to SFA Vended Meal Contract(s) and/or Consolidation Agreement(s)
SFA Additional Documents Checklist
FSMC Proposal/Response Documents List
RFP Modification Request
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 3 of 62

Food Service Management Company
(FSMC)
FIXED PRICE
Request for Proposal (RFP) and Contract
The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to manage the
School Food Authority's (SFA's) school food service program.
School Food Authority Name: WEEHAWKEN BD OF ED
Agreement Number: 01705580
Business Administrator Name: Amanda Blumeling
Business Administrator Email: ablumeli@weehawken.k12.nj.us
8/1/2026 12:00:00AM
Contract Start Date:
Contract End Date: 6/30/2027 12:00:00AM
The proposer is herein referred to as the Food Service Management Company (FSMC). The contract will be
between the School Food Authority (SFA) and FSMC.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 4 of 62

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies,
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille,
large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the
program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
AD-3027 <https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf>, found online at How to File a
Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866)
632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov <mailto:program.intake@usda.gov>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 5 of 62

Advertisement Language
The WEEHAWKEN BD OF ED is requesting proposals for school food service
management services. The Food Service Management Company will provide management services according
to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and guidelines, as well as all other applicable
state and federal laws. Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq.
The Food Service Management Company must currently be registered with the New Jersey Department of
Agriculture (NJDA) Division of Food and Nutrition.
Food Service Management Companies and/or their representatives may submit proposals to:
Amanda Blumeling
ablumeli@weehawken.k12.nj.us
The WEEHAWKEN BD OF ED Board of Education reserves the right to accept or
reject proposals.
A pre-proposal meeting and tour of the schools is scheduled for:
All proposals must be submitted no later than7/30/2026 10:00:00AM
to: 53 Liberty Place
weehawken NJ 07086 and Amanda Blumeling
and be clearly marked: FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY PROPOSAL.
Upon release of this RFP, all Proposer communications concerning this document must be directed in writing
n o later than 4:00 PM on 07/17/2026 to the person listed below:
Amanda Blumeling
ablumeli@weehawken.k12.nj.us
SFA will provide responses to Proposer communications within three (3) days of receipt. Each response will be
provided to all interested FSMCs at least five (5) days before proposal due date.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 6 of 62

The SCHOOL FOOD AUTHORITY invites written proposals from qualified companies for management of the
school district's food service program, which includes the programs checked below.
Programs Operating during the 2026-2027 School Year
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Block Scheduling
School Breakfast Program (SBP)
A la Carte items (Smart Snack compliant) and meals
After School Snack Program (ASSP)
Preschool Programs in SFA Buildings/Classrooms
Special Milk Program (SMP)
(NOT run by private providers)
Catering
Extended School Year for Special Education (ESY) (if
SFA to SFA Vended Meal Contracts meals not included in SFSP)
Vending Machines
Consolidation Agreements
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) (SFA
Programs Listed in Section AA (SFA must complete
must complete SFSP tab of Form 372)
CACFP tab of Form 372)
Potential Future Programs (Renewal Years, NOT in Base Year)
Indicate below any potential programs or changes to programs the SFA is considering during the 4 allowable
renewal years.
School Breakfast Program (SBP) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
After School Snack Program (ASSP) A la Carte items (Smart Snack compliant) and meals
Special Milk Program (SMP)
Preschool Programs in SFA Buildings/Classrooms
Catering
(NOT run by private providers)
SFA to SFA Vended Meal Contracts
Extended School Year for Special Education (ESY) (if
Consolidation Agreements meals not included in SFSP)
Block Scheduling Vending Machines
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
Programs Listed in Section AA
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 7 of 62

Definitions
"Allowable Direct Costs": Costs that are allowable in the Fixed Price Contract:
a. Food: limited to those items purchased for use in the preparation and service of student,
adult, and a la carte meals in the SFA's food service program.
b. Labor: limited to on-site employees responsible for the management, preparation,
service, and clean-up of student, adult, and a la carte meals in the SFA's food service
program.
c. Miscellaneous Expenses: paper supplies, equipment rental, cleaning materials,
commodity handling, and warehousing charges. All miscellaneous expenses must be
allowable and directly allocable to the food service operation.
"Bid Bond/Security to Accompany Bid": A type of surety bond that guarantees that the FSMC has the
financial means to accept the contract for the price quoted in its proposal if it is awarded the contract.
"Buy American": A procurement standard that requires SFAs to purchase to the maximum extent
practicable, domestic commodities or products as defined in 7 CFR 210 and 7 CFR 220.
"CACFP": Child and Adult Care Food Program, 7 CFR Part 226.
"Commissioned Vending": Vending machine sales for machines that are maintained by an external vending
company, not the FSMC. SFA receives commission checks.
"Consolidation Agreement": An agreement between two School Food Authorities (SFAs) in which one
transfers and relinquishes its authority, duties and obligations for Child Nutrition Programs to the other. All
program related tasks of the Relinquishing SFA become the responsibility of the Sponsoring SFA, and the
Sponsoring SFA includes the Relinquishing SFA's schools on its Site Details in the SNEARS Application Packet.
No fees can be charged by the Sponsoring SFA to the Relinquishing SFA.
"Contract": The RFP and Contract inclusive of all forms and the FSMC's proposal, as accepted by the SFA.
"Current Year": The term of this Contract.
"DFN": Division of Food and Nutrition.
"Fixed Price Contract": A contract that provides for payment of all costs at a pre-determined and agreed
upon amount that is fixed at the inception of the contract. The fixed fee includes all administrative,
management, and food service-related costs. A fixed price contract may also contain an economic cost
adjustment provision tied to a standard index.
"Food Service Budget": The proposed cost of food, supplies, and labor (allowable direct costs). Food Service
Budget is the Response and Projected Operating Statement (Form 23).
"Food Service Program": The preparation and service of food to an SFA's students, staff, employees, and
authorized visitors in all of the SFA's Child Nutrition Programs included in this RFP.
"Gross Receipts": The total of all cash receipts, reimbursements and other revenue (a la carte sales, vending,
vended meal contracts (SFA/SFA) adult sales, and catering) in the food service program received by the SFA.
Gross receipts must be deposited into the Non-Profit School Food Service Account.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 8 of 62

"Guarantee": The amount of money the FSMC agrees to guarantee as a return or loss to the SFA. The
guarantee cannot be capped and is unlimited. A guaranteed return cannot exceed the proposed bottom line.
"Locally Grown": Food grown and/or produced in New Jersey.
"Non-Profit School Food Service Account": The restricted account in which all the revenue from all food
service operations conducted by the SFA principally for the benefit of school children is retained and used only
for the operation or improvement of the non-profit school food service. The account shall also include, as
appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid lunches and proceeds from non-program foods. The SFA
must limit its net cash resources to an amount that does not exceed 3 months average expenditures for its
non-profit food service, or such other amount as may be approved by the State Agency in accordance with
federal regulations.
"Non-Program Expenses": Costs of food, labor, supplies, etc. that are incurred for non-reimbursable
meals including, but not limited to, a la carte items, adult meals, catering services, vended meals and items
purchased for fundraisers, vending, etc.
"Performance Bond": A type of surety bond that guarantees that the FSMC will adhere to all the terms of the
contract and satisfactorily complete the agreed upon project and/or services.
"Program Expenses": Costs of food, labor, supplies, etc. that are incurred for reimbursable meals that are
also reasonable, necessary, and allocable.
"Proposal": The Food Service Management Company's response to the RFP.
"Regionally Grown": Food grown and/or produced in Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware.
"State Agency": New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
"SFA to SFA Vended Meal Contract": A contract between one School Food Authority (SFA) (this can be a
private, public or charter) with another School Food Authority to provide complete reimbursable meals for
school breakfast, lunch, and/or after school snack programs.
"SFSP": Summer Food Service Program, 7 CFR Part 225.
"Smallwares/Small Equipment": Items utilized in the preparation of food, including, but not limited to,
items such as pots, pans, and serving and cooking utensils.
"SNEARS": NJDA Child Nutrition Program's web-based School Nutrition Electronic Application and
Reimbursement System.
"Total Cost of Contract": Includes all allowable direct expenses and the payment of a(n)
administrative/management fee as indicated on Form 23CR.
"Total Cost of Contract": Includes all administrative, management, and food service-related expenses as
indicated on Form 23FP.
"Vending": Vending machine sales for machines that are maintained by the FSMC, excluding commissioned
vending sales.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 9 of 62

I General Information
A. Procurement
1. This contract will be a Fixed Price Contract.
2. All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner that provides maximum full and open
competition and in accordance with all applicable State and Federal law including, but not limited to,
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements, 2 CFR
200.318-200.326, formerly in 7 CFR 3016.36 and 3019.48, as applicable, and the SFA Code of Conduct.
3. An FSMC that has provided recommendations, developed or drafted specifications,
requirements, statements of work, or any other information for this RFP shall be excluded
from competing to provide the services sought in this solicitation.
4. The SFA reserves the right to reject RFPs if deemed in the best interest of the SFA.
5. The SFA will award the contract to the responsible FSMC whose proposal is most advantageous to the
program, with price and other factors considered. A responsible FSMC is one whose financial,
technical and other resources indicate an ability to perform the services required by this solicitation.
2 CFR 200.320(b)(2).
6. FSMCs or their authorized representatives are expected to fully inform themselves as to the conditions,
requirements, and specifications before submitting proposals; failure to do so will be at the FSMC's
own risk and the FSMC cannot secure relief on the plea of error. The SFA is not liable for any cost
incurred by the proposer prior to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Division of Food
and Nutrition's (DFN) final approval of the contract, and the signing of the contract by all parties.
Paying the FSMC from Child Nutrition (CN) program funds (school food service account) is prohibited
until the contract is signed by both parties and final approval is provided by the DFN.
7. If additional information about this RFP is required, refer to the instructions regarding "proposer
communications" on the Advertisement of Request for Proposal.
8. A Pre-Proposal Meeting with interested proposers to review specifications, to clarify any questions,
and to tour the facilities with school officials is not mandatory. Refer to the Advertisement of Request
for Proposal to determine if the SFA has planned a meeting and scheduled a time and location.
NJ State Approval ID: DE- 9534212 Start Date: 08/01/2026 End Date: 06/30/2027 Page 10 of 62