Specifications include, but are not limited to: The State intends to make a noncompetitive purchase with Stark County Council on Aging, Inc. to provide nutrition services to individuals ages 60 and older throughout Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, and Stark counties in the Badlands area of North Dakota. Nutrition services shall include: Congregate Meals provided in a group setting a minimum of three days per week. Home-delivered meals (which includes take-out, drive-by, grab and go’s, etc.) provided a minimum of five days per week. Nutrition education. Referrals for nutrition counseling for identified high-risk nutrition individuals in the annual assessment process. Referrals to connect individuals to other social and supportive services. Nutrition services must be provided according to the Nutrition Services Program Standard 650-25-60 outlined in Attachment A - OAA Nutrition Policies and Procedures. Performance Measures for the nutrition services include: To the extent possible, utilize more fresh, not frozen, whole foods with fewer ultra-processed ingredients, incorporating fresh, in season fruits and vegetables. Vendor must serve meals on time, at appropriate temperatures, be visually appealing, and prepared in a manner so that the taste is enjoyable. Vendor must provide, when requested from participants, viable alternatives to stated menu meals (i.e., gluten-free, lactose intolerant, diabetic, cardiac, renal, etc.). Menus will be provided by Dietary Solutions. Vendor must provide disposable items needed for the meals being offered that meet acceptable quality standards for use by older adults. Disposable items include flatware and napkins. Vendor is encouraged to offer a variety of engaging activities. Activities should include life enrichment opportunities with the goal of reducing social isolation. Vendor should track social engagement opportunities which can be done in multiple ways (i.e., on the monthly menu). Vendor is encouraged to document a list of activities and the number of attendees. Vendor is not required to submit this report to State with the monthly reimbursement report but is encouraged to keep a record on file at each site. A conversation about social engagement will be part of the site monitoring. Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification.
