Request for Proposals (RFP) for Jail Food Services

Washington County is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide food service for our inmate population. Washington County operates a 228-bed jail and a 5-bed temporary holding facility for juveniles. The Washington County Jail holds males, females, and juveniles. The jail also runs a work release and sentence-to-service program.

The County is seeking a five-year contract. These services will go through the RFP solicitation process every five (5) years at minimum.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all Contractor Employees, food preparation, and food supplies for the jail. There are currently three (3) meals served every day in the jail, breakfast bag (7:00 am), lunch (12:00 pm), and dinner (5:00 pm).

Project Objectives

1. Deliver high-quality food service at a reasonable cost, that can be audited against established nutritional and health standards.
2. Operate the food service program utilizing Contractor Employees professionally trained in a correctional food service environment.
3. Operate the food service program in a cost-effective manner with full reporting to County Staff as requested or required.
4. Implement a written food service plan with clear objectives, policies, procedures, and a plan of evaluation for compliance.
5. Maintain an open collaborative relationship with County Staff.

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Food Requirements

• Nutritional value and recommended daily allowances shall at a minimum conform to the DOC Chapters 2911.3800 - 4600 for the jail.
• The menu shall be certified in the proposal by a registered dietician.
• At least three (3) inmate meals (DOC Rules require one hot meal per day) must be provided at regular mealtimes [...]. Intake inmates will receive bag meals.
• A bag lunch shall be provided for the sentence-to-service and work release inmates.
• The Contractor shall provide a sample menu for a four (4) week period, seven (7) days per week, three (3) meals per day.
• The Contractor shall be capable of responding to special requirements when so authorized by an appropriate authority such as a nurse; special meals such as soft, diabetic, vegetarian, clear liquid, lactose intolerant, bland, allergy, and religious meals such as Kosher, Halal, or Ramadan.

Contractor Responsibilities

• Food service will be required 365 days a year for correctional facilities.
• All raw food and ingredients necessary to prepare meals and any condiments.
• Clean and maintain food carts on a regular basis.
• A highly qualified and experienced Food Service Manager. The Food Service Manager must have attained the Minnesota Department of Health Food Service Certification.

**Submission:** All proposals must include the Proposal Content set forth in Section 3 and be sent electronically to the County Authorized Representative: Jennifer.Flores@washingtoncountymn.gov. Contractors must submit to the e-mail address above with a subject line clearly marked as RFP for Jail Food Services, no later than **November 30, 2026, 2:00 p.m. CST**. Late submittals will not be considered.

Proposal must be combined as one document, except for the separate cost proposal to ensure pricing can be evaluated independently from technical and qualification components.

**Tour:** Prospective Contractors are required to participate in a tour of the jail kitchen during the RFP process by contacting the Jail Administrator. The tour is **mandatory**.

**Evaluation:** Technical Proposals will be evaluated and scored on a scale of 1 - 10 for each of the criteria below, with a score of 10 demonstrating substantial compliance to County requirements. The Cost Proposals will be evaluated and scored on a scale of 1 - 25, with 25 representing a high degree of reasonability of price quoted and cost savings to the County.

**Contract term:** The County is seeking a five-year contract. Commencement Date March 1, 2027; Completion Date February 28, 2032.

All proposals shall remain open for sixty (60) days from the submission due date.