DeSoto County School Board Food Service Management Company RFP Response 2026
DeSoto County School DistrictSchool · Arcadia, FL- Due
- May 4, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- May 4, 2026
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Ron Gomez
- (415) 760-4559
The 30-second brief
Sodexo is responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the DeSoto County School Board for a Food Service Management Company (FSMC). The scope of work includes managing the district's nutrition program, providing chef-prepared meals, implementing age-tailored marketing programs (Bright Bites, foodiE, CRAVE), and managing on-site staff. The proposal includes innovative solutions such as commercial-grade indoor smokers at the high school, 'BiteScience' nutrition education, and digital engagement tools like Nutrislice and MYDTXT. The contract term is proposed to commence July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with four one-year renewal options. The financial proposal is based on a fixed-price contract per meal and a guaranteed financial return for the district based on an enrollment of 5,466 students.
Total Fixed Meal Charge, Menus, Product Identifications, Nutrition Analyses, Marketing Plan, Training and Transition Plan, Financial Stability Reports
Total Fixed Meal Charge (25 pts), Marketing Plan (20 pts), Menus/Nutrition (15 pts), Training and Transition Plan (15 pts), Company Experience (10 pts), On-Site Management Staff (10 pts), Financial Stability (10 pts), References (5 pts)
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Summary
Sodexo is responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the DeSoto County School Board for a Food Service Management Company (FSMC).
The scope of work includes managing the district's nutrition program, providing chef-prepared meals, implementing age-tailored marketing programs (Bright Bites, foodiE, CRAVE), and managing on-site staff. The proposal includes innovative solutions such as commercial-grade indoor smokers at the high school, 'BiteScience' nutrition education, and digital engagement tools like Nutrislice and MYDTXT. The contract term is proposed to commence July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with four one-year renewal options. The financial proposal is based on a fixed-price contract per meal and a guaranteed financial return for the district based on an enrollment of 5,466 students.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
7- Total Fixed Meal Charge
- Menus
- Product Identifications
- Nutrition Analyses
- Marketing Plan
- Training and Transition Plan
- Financial Stability Reports
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
3- Exhibit J
- Required Documents
- Financial Proforma
REQUIRED STAFFING
4- Submit to
- Arcadia, FL
- Duration
- 60 months
- Scope location
- Arcadia, FL
- Reported agency
- DeSoto County School Board
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from DeSoto County School District?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is May 4, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: Arcadia, FL. For questions, contact Ron Gomez.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including DeSoto County School District in FL, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Ron Gomez at (415) 760-4559. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: Director of Business Development, District Manager, Senior Vice President, Chief Executive Officer. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Total Fixed Meal Charge, Menus, Product Identifications, Nutrition Analyses, Marketing Plan, Training and Transition Plan, Financial Stability Reports. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Total Fixed Meal Charge (25 pts), Marketing Plan (20 pts), Menus/Nutrition (15 pts), Training and Transition Plan (15 pts), Company Experience (10 pts), On-Site Management Staff (10 pts), Financial St..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from DeSoto County School District?
All active and historical solicitations from DeSoto County School District are tracked and searchable. As a school agency, DeSoto County School District regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Exhibit J, Required Documents, Financial Proforma. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from DeSoto County School District for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Arcadia, FL. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.