The Procurement Compliance Section of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness strives to accomplish the following:

National School Lunch Program

• Ensure proper procurement is followed for purchases made with federal funds per 2 CFR 200 and 7 CFR 210. 
• Review and approve solicitations and contracts.
• Review and approve contract amendments and renewals. 
• Remain involved with buying cooperatives in Florida to ensure compliance with federal and state purchasing laws.
• Review contract documentation and inventory balances for schools soliciting for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods processed products. Confirm active contracts prior to approval for USDA Foods orders.
• Ensure sponsors maintain oversight of contractor’s performance. 
• Perform Procurement Reviews alongside the Administrative Reviews.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance on all procurement areas, including methods of purchasing and contract types.

Summer Food Service Program

• Ensure proper procurement is followed for purchases made with federal funds per 2 CFR 200 and 7 CFR 225. 
• Review and approve solicitations and contracts.
• Review and approve contract amendments and renewals. 
• Ensure sponsors maintain oversight of contractor’s performance. 
• Perform Procurement Reviews alongside the Administrative Reviews.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance on all procurement areas, including methods of purchasing and contract types.

Farm to School

• Work with schools and school districts to identify Farm to School opportunities.
• Assist schools and school districts with contract language with growers and distributors to ensure more local product is available to students.
• Visit FarmtoSchoolFL.com for more information. 

• Training is provided throughout the year for National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program sponsors on federal regulations and state statutes regarding purchasing of commodities and contractual services.
• Training is provided to assist sponsors in preparation for the Procurement Review portion of the Administrative Review. 
• Online training is provided at AgAcademy. Sponsors will filter for the Procurement Learning Path and take all courses. 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has created Quick Tips Guides to provide sponsors with an “at a glance” look at various procurement topics.

• General Procurement: Quick Tips Guide [ 1.1 MB ]
• Purchasing Methods: Quick Tips Guide [ 1006.8 kB ]
• Contract Provisions: Quick Tips Guide [ 719.5 kB ]
• Market Basket Analysis: Quick Tips Guide [ 822.7 kB ]

FDACS provides sponsors of the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Food Service Program with a list of vendors (caterers, restaurants and food service management companies) interested in supplying food services to USDA child nutrition programs in Florida. Vendors are not required to be on this list to supply their services to the programs.

FDACS offers online training that helps educate vendors on the USDA’s National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program requirements. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring vendors complete this training prior to awarding a contract.

Sponsors can access the List of Known Caterers and Food Service Management Companies in FANS.

Financial management and compliance must also be considered when making purchases. For more information, visit Financial Management for the Child Nutrition Programs.

In accordance with 7 CFR 225.6(h)(4), FDACS must have a representative present at all public solicitation response openings when the sponsor soliciting the food service management company is expected to receive more than $100,000 in program payments. Prior to posting the solicitation, sponsors that meet this criteria must notify FDACS of the date, time and location of the public opening. FDACS requests that a virtual option to attend be provided.