SR-205-003 (326)
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Council Meeting: December 13, 1988
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Santa Monica, California
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TO: Mayor and City council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Award Bid to Furnish and Deliver Hot
Meals for the Senior Nutrition and Recreation Program,
Title III-C-l, Bid #2199
INTRODUCTION
This report concerns award of bid to furnish and deliver hot
meals for the Senior Nutrition and Recreation Program provided by
the Cultural and Recreation Services Department, at the rate of
$2.30 per meal.
BACKGROUND
In response to published Notices Inviting Bids (published
October 24 and 25, 1988) to furnish and deliver hot meals for the
Senior Nutrition and Recreation Program in accordance with city
specifications, bids were received and publicly opened and read
on November 8, 1988. Proposal forms were mailed to five vendors
and notices were advertised in accordance with City Charter and
Municipal Code provisions.
Four proposals were received as
follows:
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PRICE PER MEAL
Service America Corp.
Unicorn Express (WMBE)
Cabaret Catering Co.
International Nutrition Meals
$2.13
$2.25 (C-l), $2.30 box lunch
$2.30
$2.30
It is estimated that approximately 33,170 meals will be provided
and will be delivered to four (4) serving locations. It was
required that all bidders be approved by the Los Angeles Area
Agency on Aging.
Based upon a comprehensive detailed analysis and bid evaluation,
which included site and field visitations at each catering
company by City staff, the following results have been compiled.
The bids submitted by Service America Corp., unicorn Express and
International Nutrition Services do not meet specifications for
the following reasons:
A. Service America Corp.
1. EQUIPMENT - did not clarify the equipment containers to
be used to transport food.
2. V.S.D.A. COMMODITIES - not in accordance with specifi-
cations that require V.S.D.A. commodities on all menus.
3. COST BREAKDOWN - did not include condiment cost in bid
price of $2.13.
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4. MENU - submitted their own menu which was evaluated by
the City staff dietitian who concluded that it did not
offer a variety of foods and that several dishes were
very spicy. staff contacted City of covina and
Lawndale and was informed that neither city is
satisfied with the quality of food provided by Service
America Corp.
On November 21, 1988, city staff and two senior
Nutrition Advisory Council members, Ida Field (site
representative) and Leo Kassler (also, a member of the
Commission on Older Americans) went to the city of
Gardena to sample food served by Service America Corp.
and found the quality to be inferior.
B. Unicorn Express
1. U.S.D.A. COMMODITIES - not in accordance with specifi-
cations that require U.S.D.A. commodities on all menus.
2. COST BREAKDOWN - proposed a price per meal of $2.25 for
hot meals and $2.30 for box lunches and did not include
condiments in their cost breakdowns.
3. EQUIPMENT - did not clarify the containers to be used
to transport the food.
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C. INTERNATIONAL NUTRITION MEALS
1. COST BREAKDOWN - did not include cost of aprons, gloves
and condiments in their cost breakdown. They also do
not supply coffee, tea, cream, sugar or hot cups.
Cabaret Catering Company has been servicing the City's hot meals
program since September 19, 1988, and the food quality has been
excel- lent. Their staff has been flexible and cooperative in
adhering to the needs of the senior clients. staff has evaluated
the bid submitted by Cabaret catering Co. and finds that it meets
City specifications and is below the amount budgeted for Fiscal
Year 1988/89, saving the City approximately $2,000.00.
BUDGETARY/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Fiscal Year 1988/89 appropriation authority for this purchase is
in the Senior Nutrition Division, Cultural and Recreation
services Department, account number 01-400-544-000-437.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends rejection of the bids from service America
Corp., Unicorn Express and International Nutrition Meals due to
failure to meet city specifications. It is recommended that the
award of Bid #2199 be made to cabaret Catering Company at a rate
of $2.30 per ~eal, as the best bidder.
Prepared By:
E. O. Barnes, Purchasing Agent
Pam Wortham, Assistant Purchasing Agent
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