Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Procurement through State Master Agreements


Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin

To: Public School Districts and County Offices of Education that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, County Superintendents of Schools

Number: 00-122

Attention: Food Service Directors

Date: December 2000

Subject: Procurement through State Master Agreements

This Management Bulletin provides information about procurement services available to school districts and County Offices of Education through the California Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division. The Nutrition Services Division is offering this information as part of our ongoing efforts to provide quality services to our sponsors.

Acquisition solutions, services, and products are available through the DGS Procurement Division to California state, county, city, special district, education, and other governmental entities. State Master Agreement contracts are competitively bid by the DGS and available to any agency that expends public funds. DGS' goal is to provide acquisition and support services that assist in purchasing selected products, services, and consumer goods. The DGS Procurement Division oversees the State of California’s purchasing and contracting activities established in the California Government Code, California Public Contract Code, and State Administrative Manual. Government purchasing/contracting officials are invited to utilize the services, cost-competitive agreements, and quality supplier sources available through the DGS Procurement Division.

As a reminder, except for fixed per-meal price vendors, all agents and contractors must comply with state and federal child nutrition procurement requirements and their applicable formal bid threshold. This applies to all costs funded from the nonprofit food service account, whether purchased directly by the school, through an agent for the school, or by a contractor on behalf of the school.

You may obtain additional information about DGS' purchasing programs by calling 916-375-4400, 800-559-5529, or from their website at https://www.dgs.ca.gov/.

Questions:   Procurement Resources Unit | NSDProcurementReview@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Friday, October 31, 2025
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Annual FDP Contract Packet Update Due July 31 (added 29-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) reminds all participating agencies to submit their 2026–27 Food Distribution Program (FDP) contract in CNIPS by July 31, 2026.
  • Free Virtual Training Opportunities (added 29-May-2026)
    CalFresh Healthy Living Statewide Training is offering partners five new free training opportunities. Trainings include a combination of self-paced work and live online meetings, which include trauma-informed approaches, when possible.
  • Updated UBA Template Now Available (added 28-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education is pleased to announce that an updated version of the Universal Benefits Application for the SUN Bucks program is now available.
  • State and Federal Emergency Declarations (added 28-May-2026)
    State and Federal Emergency Declarations due to Orange County Chemical Incident.
  • April 28, 2026 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 21-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar April 28, 2026.