INMATE FOOD SERVICES

The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified individuals/firms who specialize in inmate food services. Individuals/firms must provide all equipment, materials and labor to complete the scope of work.

The goal of this Request for Proposal is to solicit proposals from qualified providers to operate the food services operation at the Lumpkin County detention center.

The successful Proposer shall meet the following objectives:

• Deliver high quality food service in accordance with industry standards. Food and food service will meet all applicable federal, state, and local guidelines, laws, and regulations and will meet the guidelines as prescribed by the American Correctional Association (ACA).
• Operate the food service program using correction-experienced and professionally trained personnel.
• Operate the food service program in a cost-effective manner.
• Maintain an open, collaborative relationship with the administration and staff of the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and other county offices.
• Offer a comprehensive program for continuing staff and inmate labor and training in food service for the detention center.

Food Requirements

Three (3) hot meals per day, seven (7) days per week shall be served to the inmate population.

All menus and special diets must meet the standards for audit holding and detention facilities as established by the American Correctional Association (ACA). A registered dietitian will approve all menus, prior to service. [...] A four-week cycle menu is to be submitted in the proposal.

Religious and medical diets conforming to special religious or physician ordered specifications shall be provided at no additional cost to the County. [...] A minimum of five (5) holiday meals shall be provided annually, including Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holiday periods and one (1) meal is to be scheduled at the discretion of the County.

The Contractor shall provide all consumable supplies and food products that are required for the food service operation.

The average daily population of the Lumpkin County detention center is approximately 150 inmates.

The contractor shall provide all cleaning supplies for the kitchen areas and equipment.

The Contractor shall obtain and pay for all federal, state, and local licenses, permits, and fees required for the operation of the food services provided.

**Submission:** Submissions are due at the address shown **no later than November 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM**. Electronic submissions via e-mail or fax will not be accepted. Volumes I and II are to be packaged and sealed separately.

**Contract Term:** The initial contract term between the County and the contractor shall be from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 and will be eligible for up to four (4) annual renewals.

**Bonds:** Proposal Bonds, Payment Bonds and Performance Bonds are Not Required.

**Evaluation:** It is the County's intent to evaluate the proposals based on technical merit and price. Technical total is 70% and Fee is 30%.

**Insurance:** Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000.00; Comprehensive General Liability Insurance of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence; Automobile Liability Insurance of not less than $500,000 per occurrence.