Request for Proposals - Nutrition and Healthy Eating Initiative Professional Services
Agency: Gadsden-Etowah County Progress Council, Inc. (Agency)
RFP Number: 001
Issue Date: September 28, 2026
Proposal Due Date and Time: October 12, 2026
Contract Period: October 2026 – July 2027
Gadsden-Etowah County Progress Council, Inc. (Agency) invites qualified individuals or community agencies to submit proposals for professional contractual services supporting its one-time Nutrition and Healthy Eating Initiative. The Agency seeks one or more contractors to coordinate implementation, provide nutrition expertise, integrate physical activity and wellness programming, engage staff and families, develop community partnerships, collect required documentation, and monitor progress toward approved nutrition application goals.
Respondents may propose to perform one service area, multiple service areas, or all service areas described in this RFP. The Agency will make one or multiple awards in its best interest to achieve a successful outcome.
Nutrition and Healthy Eating Initiative Coordinator
The selected contractor will provide coordination and administrative support for the initiative, including:
- Developing and maintaining an implementation plan, work schedule, and milestone calendar
- Coordinating approved purchases, activities, vendors, and logistical needs
- Supporting staff and family engagement activities
- Identifying and coordinating appropriate community partnerships
- Tracking timelines, responsibilities, expenditures, and progress toward approved nutrition goals
- Collecting, organizing, and maintaining required program documentation
- Preparing status updates and promptly identifying implementation risks
- Coordinating with the Registered Dietitian, Wellness Coordinator, and other designated partners
Registered Dietitian
- The selected contractor will provide professional nutrition guidance and education, including:
- Developing or reviewing age-appropriate and culturally responsive nutrition education materials
- Guiding healthy meal planning and food demonstration activities
- Preparing practical family nutrition resources
- Providing staff training related to nutrition and healthy eating
- Supporting alignment with healthy eating practices, CACFP meal patterns, and Head Start goals
- Reviewing proposed activities and materials for nutritional accuracy and suitability
- Supporting documentation of services, participation, and outcomes
The selected contractor will integrate age-appropriate physical activity with the nutrition and healthy eating initiative, including:
- Helping staff implement developmentally appropriate movement activities
- Connecting physical activity to nutrition and wellness lessons
- Supporting family engagement and community wellness events
- Providing staff with practical activity guidance and resources
- Document participation and outcomes related to healthy habits and school readiness
- Coordinating wellness activities with the overall initiative schedule and objectives
Performance Expectations
- Each selected contractor must:
- Designate a primary point of contact and participate in kickoff and progress meetings as requested
- Perform services professionally, timely, and in coordination with Agency Executive Director/Head Start Director or assigned staff
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements and Agency policies
- Protect confidential information and use program data only for authorized purposes.
- Obtain Agency approval before distributing materials or making commitments on the Agency’s behalf.
- Maintain complete records supporting activities, participation, purchases, and deliverables.
- Immediately report actual or potential conflicts of interest and material barriers to performance.
Deadline for written questions
October 5, 2026
Responses to questions
October 7, 2026
Proposal submission deadline
October 12, 2026
Anticipated notice of award
October 16, 2026
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should be clear, concise, and organized in the following order:
- Cover Letter: Identify the respondent, primary contact, proposed service area or areas, and commitment to perform the work.
- Qualifications and Experience: Describe relevant experience with nutrition, early childhood or family programming, wellness, community engagement, grant-funded initiatives, or comparable services.
- Documents: Provide resume, license, registration, and certification. Respondents proposing Registered Dietitian services must provide evidence of current applicable credentials.
- Technical Approach and Work Plan: Explain the proposed methodology, timeline, coordination approach, quality controls, and strategy for meeting the scope and deliverables.
- Past Performance: Provide examples of comparable engagements and at least professional references with current contact information.
- Cost Proposal: Provide a detailed, itemized fee proposal showing hourly rates.
- Disclosures: Disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest and pending claims relevant to performance.
Submit written questions to Herlecia Hampton, ED/HS Director, at h.hampton@gadhs.org, no later than October 7, 2026. Responses that materially affect this solicitation will be issued in writing.
Submission Instructions
Submit one complete proposal by October 12, 2026, by 4:00 PM using the following method:
Electronic submission: h.hampton@gadhs.org
Subject line: Proposal for Nutrition and Healthy Eating Initiative Professional Services. Late, incomplete, or improperly delivered proposals may be rejected. Proposal materials should clearly identify the service area or areas proposed.
Reservation of Rights
This RFP does not commit to the Agency to award a contract or reimburse proposal preparation costs. The Agency reserves the right to amend, suspend, or cancel the solicitation; reject any or all proposals; request additional information; and select the proposal or combination of proposals judged to provide the best overall value.
