Procurement

The procurement of goods and services is a significant responsibility of a school food authority (SFA). Obtaining the most economical purchase should be considered in all purchases when using Federal funds. Federal, state, and local laws and regulations specify the procurement methods, terms, and conditions SFAs must follow to competitively procure goods and services, award contracts, and oversee contractor performance. The regulations can be found in 2 CFR Part 200 (specifically 200.318 – 200.326).

There are different requirements for large purchases ($150,000 and over) and small purchases (under $150,000) and the regulations must be followed for any purchases made using Child Nutrition funds. Any equipment purchase exceeding $10,000 must be approved by the State prior to making the purchase. There are also requirements that school food service departments have a written procurement plan on file outlining Federal and any local requirements. Below you will find various resources about the procurement requirements. We are currently conducting procurement reviews on the same schedule as Administrative Reviews, so those schools that are up for an Administrative Review will also be receiving a Procurement review the same year, though they are separate reviews. If you have additional questions, please email the SCN procurement mailbox at SCNProcurement@doe.in.gov.

• Procurement Guidance and Procedures
  • SP 23-2021, CACFP 18-2021.CN Emergency Procurement
  • SP 02-2022 CACFP 03-2022 SFSP 01-2022
  • SP 02 2018 Market Basket Analysis when Procuring Program Goods
• Procuring a Food Service Management Company
  • Food Service Management Company and Vendor Procurement Information
• Manuals
  • Indirect Cost Guidance Manual
  • Contracting with a FSMC
  • Procurement in the 21st Century
• Forms, Templates, and Examples
  • Procurement Information Sheet
  • Procurement Plan Template Updated Threshold
  • Required Contract Provisions (per 2 CFR 200) Checklist
  • Anti-Collusion Affidavit
  • Clean Air and Water Certification
  • Debarment Suspension Certification (Indiana)
  • Lobbying Certification
  • Evaluation Criteria and Scoring Example
  • USDA Foods Monthly Reconciliation Report
• Buy American

  2025-26 Buy American Accommodation Request Form

  USDA Memos

  • SP 09-2025 Buy American Accommodation memo – do not use the accommodation form in this memo, use the link above to submit a request for the Buy America Accommodation for SY 2025-26
  • SP 23-2024 Buy American Provisions Related to the Final Rule
  • SP 38-2017 Compliance with and Enforcement of the Buy American Provision

  Buy American Procurement and Inventory Guidance

  • Buy American Checklist
  • Buy American Fact Sheet
• Cooperative Purchasing
  • Coop Purchasing PW State Agency SA. 110218
  • SP 05-2017 Purchasing Goods and Services Using Cooperative Agreements, Agents, and Third-Party Services
  • SFA Cooperative Questionnaire with Legal Changes
  • SFA Cooperative 2025-26
• Equipment Purchases
  • IDOE Child Nutrition Equipment Purchase Process
  • IDOE Equipment Approval Form
  • IDOE Pre-Approved Kitchen Equipment List
  • USDA Memo SP 39-2016 Prior Approval Process for SFA Equipment Purchases
  • Equipment Purchase Flow Chart
  • Disposition of Equipment