Kent State University Primary Food Vendor for Culinary Services RFP #2048 2026
Kent State University At KentHigher Ed · Kent, OH- Due
- Sep 18, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Aug 25, 2026
- Contract term
- 5 years
- Primary contact
- Lawrence W. McWilliams III
- (330) 672-2276
The 30-second brief
Kent State University is soliciting proposals under RFP #2048 for a primary food vendor to serve its University Culinary Services Department across nine campuses. The scope includes providing a wide range of commodity products (fresh, frozen, and dry) including meat, seafood, produce, dairy, and canned goods, with specific requirements for Halal, Kosher, antibiotic-free, and sustainable certifications. Additional items include small wares, cleaning supplies, paper products, and packaging. The anticipated annual spend is at least $8 million. The contract term is five years with up to four one-year renewals. Proposals must be submitted electronically via DynamicForms by September 18, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern. A voluntary question period ends September 4, 2026.
Response Forms 1-9, Cost Proposal, Higher Education Cloud Vendor Assessment Tool Lite (if applicable), Itemized list of exceptions
Pricing and cost competitiveness, Product availability and fill rates, Distribution and delivery services, Product quality and food safety, Customer service and account management, Technology and ordering integration, Sustainability
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Summary
Kent State University is soliciting proposals under RFP #2048 for a primary food vendor to serve its University Culinary Services Department across nine campuses.
The scope includes providing a wide range of commodity products (fresh, frozen, and dry) including meat, seafood, produce, dairy, and canned goods, with specific requirements for Halal, Kosher, antibiotic-free, and sustainable certifications. Additional items include small wares, cleaning supplies, paper products, and packaging. The anticipated annual spend is at least $8 million. The contract term is five years with up to four one-year renewals. Proposals must be submitted electronically via DynamicForms by September 18, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern. A voluntary question period ends September 4, 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
7- Pricing and cost competitiveness
- Product availability and fill rates
- Distribution and delivery services
- Product quality and food safety
- Customer service and account management
- Technology and ordering integration
- Sustainability
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
4- Response Forms 1-9
- Cost Proposal
- Higher Education Cloud Vendor Assessment Tool Lite (if applicable)
- Itemized list of exceptions
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
3- Forms 1 through 9
- VPAT (if applicable)
- HECVAT (if applicable)
- Submit to
- DynamicForms
- Duration
- 108 months
- Scope location
- Kent, OH
- Reported agency
- Kent State University
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Kent State University At Kent?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is September 18, 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: DynamicForms. For questions, contact Lawrence W. McWilliams III.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Kent State University At Kent in OH, 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 Lawrence W. McWilliams III at (330) 672-2276. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Response Forms 1-9, Cost Proposal, Higher Education Cloud Vendor Assessment Tool Lite (if applicable), Itemized list of exceptions. 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: "Pricing and cost competitiveness, Product availability and fill rates, Distribution and delivery services, Product quality and food safety, Customer service and account management, Technology and orde..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Kent State University At Kent?
All active and historical solicitations from Kent State University At Kent are tracked and searchable. As a higher ed agency, Kent State University At Kent 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.
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: Forms 1 through 9, VPAT (if applicable), HECVAT (if applicable). Review the full document from Kent State University At Kent for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Kent, OH. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.