THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 Office of P-20 Education Policy |
In an effort to simplify requirements for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) , the SFSP standard contract threshold is now linked to the Federal small purchase threshold currently set at $150,000 (also known as the simplified acquisition thereshold)thereby creating more uniform procurement requirements for all Child Nutrition Programs.
The standard contract threshold sets a contract award amount that triggers additional procurement requirements. If a food service management company (FSMC) contract exceeds the newly established $150,000 threshold, the sponsor must use the New York State Education Department’s (SED) Invitation for Bid standard contract. Sponsors must apply this threshold to the aggregate value of FSMC contracts which include projected costs from multiple Child Nutrition Programs. For example, a sponsor that receives funds from the SFSP and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and contracts with a FSMC to procure meals for both programs must apply the standard contract threshold to the projected value of the contract. Public entities and organizations with exclusive year-around contracts are exempt for the standard contract requirement.
Sponsors with individual contracts that do not exceed the standard contract threshold may use their existing or usual form of contract provided it has been submitted to and approved by SED. Individual contracts that exceed $150,000 in aggregate value require use of SED’s Invitation for Bid standard contract and adherence to stricter bid opening and acceptance procedures as required by the SFSP regulations.