Notice Inviting Bids: Preschool Meals – Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services (Bid Opening 9/15/26)

Notice Inviting Bids: Preschool Meals – Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services (Bid Opening 9/15/26)

Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services, Inc. is soliciting sealed bids from food service contractors to provide USDA CACFP-compliant preschool meals — breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack — beginning January 4, 2027, with bids due by October 15, 2026.

invitation to bid · child nutrition · food service · cacfp · preschool meals

Sealed bids will be received by Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services, Inc., P.O. Box 404, Waianae, HI 96792. The bid opening is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 8:00am. All bids must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2026. Bids may be dropped off at 84-1061 Noholio Rd, Waianae, HI 96792 no later than 5:00pm HST on October 15, 2026. The product being bid is Preschool Meals. All meals of each type must meet the minimum standards set by the USDA for CACFP meals of that type. Service is to begin January 4, 2027, covering breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Meal type requirements are as follows: - Breakfast: The Contractor shall provide both hot and cold breakfast options. Breakfast items may include, but are not limited to, cereal, pancakes, bagels, and other menu items that can be heated on-site using a microwave or toaster. - Lunch: The Contractor shall provide both hot and cold lunch options that meet all applicable nutritional requirements. - Afternoon Snack: The Contractor shall provide a nutritious afternoon snack in accordance with applicable meal pattern and nutritional requirements. - The Contractor shall ensure that the correct number of meals ordered are delivered and meet the standards set by the USDA and CACFP guidelines for meal pattern and portion servings for the number of meals ordered. - The Contractor shall provide documentation for processed food items. Acceptable documentation is either a Child Nutrition label or Product Formulation statement. - The Contractor shall ensure that all fresh fruit is washed and cut prior to delivery, except for bananas, which may be delivered whole. - The Contractor shall ensure that all sandwiches are fully assembled prior to delivery. Number of meals to be ordered and number of sites to be served: Minimum of 20-40 (licensed capacity) meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack) with delivery to one site on all days that students are present (approximately 260 days). The agency will provide an annual school calendar. Types or forms of packaging or containerizing to be used for meals are based on a 2-3-week menu cycle; the Contractor will provide a sample 2-week menu cycle with the bid. Packaging and delivery requirements are as follows: - The Contractor shall deliver all food items, including milk, in bulk packaging. - The Site has the capacity to accommodate up to three (3) large pans in its food warmer and maintains refrigeration equipment suitable for the storage of cold food items. - The Contractor shall deliver all food items to the Site between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., unless otherwise approved in writing by the Site. - The Contractor will adhere to specification with regard to packaging, food preparation and food specification as indicated on page 22. The contract will be awarded to the bidder responsible that possesses the potential ability to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement and is lowest in price. Other factors shall be given consideration when there are sound documented business reasons such as contractor integrity, compliance with public policy, record of past performance, and financial and technical resources. Interested Bidders may pick up or download a Food Service Management Company Vendor Contract packet at: 84-1061 Noholio Rd, Waianae HI 96972, or request the packet to be emailed by contacting Sharon.Tsuda@wcecs.org. All inquiries and or concerns should be directed to: Sharon Tsuda, Sharon.Tsuda@wcecs.org, 808-695-9656.