Specifications include, but are not limited to: E.1. The SFA participates in the programs noted in Section A1. USDA Foods from the Federal Food Distribution Program are available for use in the lunch program and it is the intent of the SFA that such items be included in the menus to the greatest extent possible. E.2. The FSMC shall meet all requirements of the USDA programs noted in Section A1, and any other requirements promulgated by the state of Connecticut. The FSMC shall provide all meals in accordance with all applicable meal patterns for age and grade groupings. This may include preschool meal patterns. https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Nutrition/Menu-Planning E.3. The FSMC costs shall include all expenses associated with the operation of the food service program as submitted in the financial budget of the RFP (e.g. on-site costs, food costs, labor costs, value of USDA Foods used, management fee and administrative fee). E.4. The FSMC shall receive for its service the following fee(s): Administrative Management provided its operation is sufficient to support the fees or unless otherwise approved by the SFA. E.5. The FSMC shall submit a budget to the Business Manager or equivalent in March of each year, earlier if requested, to be used by the SFA in its budget process and to demonstrate its ability to meet the guaranteed financial agreement. E.6. Meal prices shall be approved by the SFA. The SFA shall retain ultimate control over meal prices and any other related or appropriate elements of the food service program. The will be responsible for completing the paid lunch equity tool (PLE). E.7. It is expressly understood that all presently employed (SFA and/or FSMC) food service employees will be given the opportunity to interview for positions within the SFA as employees of the FSMC. E.8. The FSMC shall supply with this proposal a full description of the proposed benefit package, including but not limited to, levels of coverage, co-pay features and any other options and limitations. E.9. The FSMC shall procure on behalf of the SFA, in support of Connecticut’s Farm to School Program, Connecticut-grown farm products pursuant to section 22-38d of the Connecticut General Statutes and Public Act No. 16-37. Specifications are established in Schedule B. E.10. The FSMC shall procure products based on the specifications established in Schedule B. FSMC must include, as part of the bid response, a specifications sheet with grade, weight, nutritional qualities, and item labels for all products not included in the SFA’s Schedule B. E.11. All proposals shall include a completed Schedule E.. The FSMC shall prepare and serve meals for the schools listed on Exhibit A (Schools/Enrollment/Attendance Factor/Free – Reduced Percentage/Serving Times/Waves/Child Nutrition Programs). If not determined to be a material change, the SFA and the FSMC may agree to add other locations. All meals will be provided in accordance with the approved calendar, attached as Exhibit G. For the first twenty-one (21) days of food service, the FSMC will adhere to the 21-day cycle menu agreed upon by FSMC and the SFA. Changes thereafter may only be made with approval of the SFA. [7 CFR § 210.16 (b)(1)] The FSMC shall provide nutritious, high-quality (check only available options) breakfasts (SBP) lunches (NSLP) Snacks (At-Risk Afterschool Snack - NSLP) milk service only (SMP) a la carte food (Smart Snacks) vending (Smart Snacks) breakfast/lunch (SFSP/Seamless) fruit/vegetables (FFVP supper (At-Risk Afterschool Program – CACFP)