Jail Food Services

Jefferson County the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (together, “County”) is seeking proposals from qualified food service providers to provide meal services for inmates of the Jefferson County Jail (“Facility”) in accordance with this request.

The intent of the RFP is to solicit qualifications and proposals for the selection of an experienced correctional Food Service provider to provide Meal Services to inmates, utilizing industry best practices.

Food services are to be provided three (3) times a day, seven (7) days per week. Screened inmate workers will be made available to assist the vendor as needed.

All services will be provided at the Jefferson County Jail which is located at 81 Elkins Road, Port Hadlock, WA., 98339.

The Successful Proposer shall be the sole supplier and/or coordinator of Food Services at the Facility. The Successful Proposer shall be responsible for providing food services for all inmates at the Facility. The term “Food Services” includes all functions related in the performance of providing meal services included but not limited to: Ordering food, ingredients, and supplies, Preparing and Storing of Food stuffs and supplies, Serving, and Cleaning. [...]

The Successful Proposer shall provide the following, more fully discussed below:

• Daily food services to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner to inmates;
• Development and implementation of a food service plan with clear objectives, policies and procedures and with a process of documenting ongoing achievement of contract obligations (annual evaluations of compliance);
• The operation of a kitchen, using only properly licensed, certified, and permitted food service professionals;
• Food service shall utilize inmate workers screened by the facility as to their suitability to perform services in a food service environment;
• Provide weekly/monthly menus; and,
• Meet federal and state standards through the most cost effective menus.

The Successful Proposer shall provide a 2600 calorie menu and menu cycle for adult inmates of the Facility. The Successful Proposer shall provide three meals per day, seven days per week to the inmate population of the Facility, including one (1) cold and two (2) hot meals. A registered dietician shall approve all menus prior to service.

The Successful Proposer shall provide medical meals as requested by the Sheriff. The Successful Proposer shall provide sack lunches for work release or inmate worker programs. The Successful Proposer shall provide religious and physician-ordered meals as requested by the Sheriff at no additional cost.

Organizations responding to this RFP must be able to initiate work by **January 1, 2027**, and meet all the requirements of this RFP.

Submission method

Proposals must be submitted by email. Emailed proposals must be in MS Word or PDF format. They must include “Proposal – Inmate Food Services” in the subject line and be addressed to David Fortino at dfortino@co.jefferson.wa.us. Responses to this Request for Proposal document (“RFP”) must not be more than 30 pages in length (15 double-sided or 30 single-sided pages).

The County requires the proposer (“Proposer(s)”) to sign and return this entire RFP document and submit their proposal by no later than **4:30 p.m. on November 23, 2026**.

Required contents

• Qualification Details;
• Proposed Price, Staffing Plan and Signature Sheet; and
• Completion of each remaining Exhibit attached to this RFP.

Proposals must include signed copies of Exhibits B and C along with any documents or answers requested.

The Proposer must carry insurance as detailed in the attached *Insurance Requirements for Correctional Food Services, Exhibit A*.

Any proposal not withdrawn shall constitute an irrevocable offer, for a period of 180 days, for the services described in the above-stated specifications, or until one or more of the proposals has been approved by the County, whichever occurs first.

A contract may be negotiated with the Proposer whose proposal, all factors considered, would be most advantageous in the opinion of the County.

By appointment: Walkthrough of Facility.