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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
Summer Food Service Program Sponsors
From: 
Paula Tyner-Doyle, Coordinator
Date: 
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Subject: 
Summer Food Service Program Standard Contract Threshold

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.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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