Essex County College - Food Services Management and Operations - RFP #8255 (2026)
Essex County College, Newark, NJ·Higher Ed
Track Essex County College solicitations
Get alerted when Essex County College posts a new RFP, and see the pre-RFP signals months before it publishes.
- Primary Contact
- Sheree Johnson
- Contract Term
- 5 years
- Scope Location
- Newark, NJ
- Submission Address
- Ms. Sheree Johnson, Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Purchasing Department, 6th Floor, Room #6109, Newark, New Jersey, 07102
SUMMARY
Essex County College is seeking proposals for food services management and operations, including student meal plans, catering, the Child Development Center, Summer Youth Program, student-athlete meal program, and the PEB Concession stand at the Newark campus. The selected vendor will provide all labor, management, food, supplies, and materials to deliver fresh, healthy, and culturally inclusive dining options while maintaining affordability and sustainability. Services include breakfast, hot entrées, grilled items, deli specials, salads, soups, desserts, and fresh fruit, alongside POS systems, credit card processing, and point-of-sale technology. Proposals are due by Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST, following an optional site walk-through on September 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST. The initial contract term is five (5) years with renewal options.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Compliance and Timeliness, Cost/Financial Proposal, Transparency of Costs and Reporting of Rebates, Discounts, and Credits, Transition and Implementation Plan, Experience and References, Marketing, Operational Plans, Menu Diversity and Inclusivity, Nutritional Quality, Affordability and Accessibility, Student Engagement, Sustainability Practices, Service Quality and Safety
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
Food services management and operations including student meal plans, Catering services, Child Development Center meals, Summer Youth Program meals, Student-athlete meal program, And PEB Concession stand operations.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Bidders Checklist, RFP Price Sheet, Student Meal Plan Proposal, Response Sheet, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Statement of Ownership Disclosure, Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Employee or Relative Disclosure Requirement Form, Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Form, New Jersey Anti-Discrimination Provision, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Questionnaire, Certification, Disclosure of investigation and actions involving bidder, Trade Reference, Consent to Thirty-Day Extension, Addendum(s), Vendor Information Form, Equipment Certification, Bidder’s Certification, W9 Form, Federally Funded Procurements, Certification Regarding Lobbying, USB Flash Drive, Certification of Non-Debarment For Federal Government Contracts, Original and Copies of RFP documents
You're reading this because they made it public. Your competitor read the board minutes that named this project 6–18 months ago. We read those same minutes. Next time, read them first.
Work in government? Get Civic IQ free →Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this solicitation, answered from the record.
How do I respond to this RFP from Essex County College?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 6, 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: Ms. Sheree Johnson, Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Purchasing Department, 6th Floor, Room #6109, Newark, New Jersey, 07102. For questions, contact Sheree Johnson.
What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Compliance and Timeliness, Cost/Financial Proposal, Transparency of Costs and Reporting of Rebates, Discounts, and Credits, Transition and Implementation Plan, Experience and References, Marketing, Op..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Essex County College?
All active and historical solicitations from Essex County College are tracked and searchable. As a higher ed agency, Essex County College 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 5 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 6, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
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: Bidders Checklist, RFP Price Sheet, Student Meal Plan Proposal, Response Sheet, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Statement of Ownership Disclosure, Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Employee or Relative D. Review the full document from Essex County College for the complete list.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Essex County College in NJ, 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 Sheree Johnson. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Newark, NJ. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Food services management and operations including student meal plans, Catering services, Child Development Center meals, Summer Youth Program meals, Student-athlete meal program, And PEB Concession stand operations.. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
Bring us your territory.
We'll show you what is forming.
B2G and SLED sales intelligence. Surface government procurement signals from 100,000+ state, local, and education agencies months before the RFP.