REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS West Ascension Early Learning Center Food Vendor   Request for Proposals (RFP) will be received by the Ascension Parish Government Purchasing Office, 615 East Worthey Street, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737 until March 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM local time for the following:   Ascension Parish Government (Parish) is accepting proposals for the preparation and distribution of meals for the children enrolled with the West Ascension Early Learning Center. The proposal shall provide all meals and correlating meal supplies during operational hours despite weather conditions. Three (3) meals - breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks - will be provided in accordance with State and Federal codes, guidelines, and regulations.   Firms/Individuals who are interested in providing services requested under this RFP must submit six (6) copies of proposals by the date and time specified. The information shall be received in hard copy (printed) version by: Ascension Parish Government, Purchasing Department, 615 East Worthey Street, Gonzales, LA 70737 on or before 3:00 p.m. Central Time on the date specified in the Schedule of Events. Electronic submittals are encouraged via http://www.centralauctionhouse.com; however, six (6) hard copies must still be submitted within twenty-four (24) hours of the Proposal submission deadline. Parish offices are closed on Fridays, so hard copies may be received the next business day, which is typically Monday, unless Monday is a recognized holiday. For instructions on how to utilize the online service, Central Auction House, for free, for Parish projects ONLY, contact the Parish's Purchasing Department.   Specifications/Proposal documents may be obtained at the Ascension Parish Government, Purchasing Office, 615 East Worthey Street, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737. Electronic Request for Proposals are accepted at Central Bidding, http://www.centralauctionhouse.com. For questions related to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. All addenda, corrections, and responses to this public notice shall be posted to http://www.centralauctionhouse.com.   All questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted to the Purchasing Department via purchasing@apgov.us by 3:00 PM (CT) on February 24, 2026. Responses will be coordinated with the RFP Coordinator and posted on the http://www.centralauctionshouse.com by 3:00 PM on March 3, 2026.   The Parish shall not be responsible if the bidder cannot complete and submit an RFP due to failure or incomplete delivery of the files submitted via the internet.   The Parish reserves the right to disqualify any responses to Bids, or Request for Proposals if it is not authorized to do business in the State of Louisiana.   The Parish reserves the right to reject any and all bids or proposals for just cause. 12070607 2/12 2/19 2/26/26 ($168.28)