Understanding the Contractor Bid

One of the best ways to be prepared and defend your department against contractor threats is to understand what’s included in the contractor bid. In this webinar find out some of the common elements included in a contractor bid, so you can take a proactive approach to combating these threats. Our panelists discuss:

  • What benchmarks and information you should have on hand about your department?
  • The importance of fostering relationships with administrators. 
  • The value of understanding your department’s strengths and weaknesses. 


They will include further tips and information all to better prepare you for when a contractor comes knocking. Plus, the panelists will discuss the process for responding to a contractor’s threat and approaches they’ve taken that have resulted in their department’s staying self-operated.
Learning Objectives: 
  1. Understand the components commonly found in a contractor’s bid. 
  2. Gain insights about information you should regularly track and relationships to foster continually, to proactively prepare for a contractor threat. 
  3. Understand how you should respond to a contract threat.

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  • Duration:  1 hour 
  • Accreditation: 1.0 CEU - AND (through 7/14/2023) ANFP (through 12/31/2024)
  • Type: Monthly Webinar
AHF Members: In order to watch the webinar, please sign in. 
Interested in watching the webinar recording and earning CEUs? 
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Course Activities

MEET THE SPEAKERS:

Neal Lavender, MHS, PHR, CDM
JPS Health Network
Neal Lavender has spent twenty-eight years helping hospitals as well as individuals make the connection between value-driven practices and bottom-line results. He has been a leader at some of the most highly recognized foodservice departments in the world including: University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Louisiana State University Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center and Florida Hospital of Orlando. Neal is currently the Executive Director of Food and Nutritional Services at JPS Health Network. JPS Health Network is a 578-bed acute care hospital with a network which includes more than 46 community-based clinics, including 20 school-based clinics.

Neal earned his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University. Neal received his certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the Society for Human Resources Management. He also is a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP). Neal is a Director at Large with the Association for Healthcare Foodservice National Board (2020 - Present). He is also serves on the AHF National Membership Committee.
Chef Timothy Schoonmaker, MBA, CEC, WCEC, CCA, CDM, CFPP, FMP, MCFE
Manatee Healthcare System
Tim Schoonmaker is currently the Director of Nutrition Services at the Manatee Healthcare System. Previously he served as the Corporate Director and Executive Chef and Director of the Rosemary & George Dawson Inn at Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia and has worked in the healthcare industry for 21 years in both contract and self op foodservice operations. Tim is a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Administrator through the American Culinary Federation, serving as the education chair for the Southwest Virginia Chefs Association, and is a Certified Dietary Manager and Certified Food Protection Professional, serving as the membership chairperson/Newsletter Editor for the Association of Nutrition Food Service Professionals Virginia Chapter. Tim is also a member of the Associate for Healthcare Food Service, serving on the benchmarking committee and self op committee and on the AHF Board. Tim also is the President of the board for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Virginia, and serves on the social services board for the City of Lynchburg.