After protest, Hendry board rejects bids and will reissue school food‑services RFP with FDACS guidance
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Summary
Following a protest by an unsuccessful bidder, the district attorney told the board Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services approved contract extensions to avoid disruption. The board rejected the current bids, will post a new RFP under FDACS rules, and approved a final order dismissing the protest to clear the way for reprocurement.
The Hendry County School Board voted Tuesday to reject existing bids for the district’s food‑services contract and reissue a new request for proposals after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) approved short extensions to preserve uninterrupted service.
Attorney briefing and rationale: district counsel (Speaker 5) told the board the unsuccessful bidder filed a protest that required the award to be paused. "FDACS has approved a course of action where we reject all of the bids under the existing award and issue a new RFP in accordance with the current FDACS guidelines," the attorney said. FDACS also authorized two six‑month extensions of the incumbent contract to keep meal services operating through June 30, 2026.
Board action: the board voted to reject the current bids and authorized staff to proceed with a new RFP that conforms to revised FDACS guidance. The attorney recommended approving a final order of dismissal for the protest; the board approved that recommendation as part of the procurement steps.
Why it matters: the extension and reprocurement keep summer feeding and school‑year meal services uninterrupted while the district resets the procurement under state guidance. Staff said a new RFP will be posted in January with a recommendation to the board expected by May, but the district retains flexibility to act sooner if needed.
Ending: district leaders said the incumbent contractor’s extension runs through June 30, 2026, and the new solicitation will follow FDACS requirements so that the district can bring a recommendation for a successor vendor well before that date.