Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Federal Procurement Guidance

Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin

To: Nutrition Program Sponsors

Number: 04-901

Attention: Food Program Director

Date: December 2004

Subject: Federal Procurement Guidance
Reference: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) SP Policy Memo 04-18, dated September 9, 2004, Providing Information versus Writing Bid Specifications and Contract Terms, and USDA SP Policy Memo 04-20, dated September 10, 2004, Applicability of Federal Requirements to School Food Service Procurements.

This Management Bulletin transmits questions and answers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding federal procurement procedures for all school food authorities. SP Policy Memo 04-18 discusses contractor involvement in writing bid documents including the Invitation for Bid, Request for Proposal, product specifications, contracts, and contract provisions. SP Policy Memo 04-20 pertains to general federal procurement requirements. Both Policy Memorandums are attached.

As appropriate, please share this information with your agency management and business personnel.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this subject, you may contact the Procurement Resources Unit (PRU) by email at SFSContracts@cde.ca.gov to be directed to a PRU Specialist.

The above mentioned 2004 USDA Policy Memos have been renumbered and are available at:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/providing-information-versus-writing-bid-specifications-and-contract-terms

http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-districts-and-federal-procurement-regulations-0

Questions:   Procurement Resources Unit | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Related Content
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Celebrating California School Meals Photo Contest (added 18-Aug-2025)
    The California Department of Education’s Farm to School program is holding a photo contest. CDE welcomes photos highlighting California’s diverse school meals programs; scratch cooked, locally sourced meals; and our school nutrition professionals.
  • REQUIRED: 2025–26 FFVP Orientation Trainings (added 15-Aug-2025)
    The CDE NSD requires all 2025–26 FFVP grantees to complete the mandatory FFVP Orientation Online Training Series before implementing the FFVP. The training series must be completed by no later than Monday, September 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. PST.
  • Action Required: Excess Net Cash Resources (added 12-Aug-2025)
    Provides information to program operators about excess net cash resources, the budget agreement process, and long-term noncompliance.
  • SNP Reimbursement Rates for 2025-26 (added 12-Aug-2025)
    This web page provides the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) reimbursement rates for the 2025-26 school year.
  • 2024 Turnip the Beet Award Winners (added 12-Aug-2025)
    The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division would like to congratulate 21 California school districts for receiving a 2024 Turnip the Beet Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.