National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant is sponsored by Connecticut State Department of Education. Grants to schools for purchasing foodservice equipment to modernize kitchens and improve meal service.

Charlene M. Russell -Tucker Commissioner of Education Bureau of Child Nut rit ion Programs The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons.

The Connecticut Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of: race; color; religious creed; age; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; workplace hazards to reproductive systems; gender identity or expression; marital status; national origin; ancestry; retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion; intellectual disability; genetic information; learning disability; physical disability (including, but not limited to, blindness); mental disability (past/present history thereof); military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence; or criminal record in state employment, in accordance with applicable statutes, unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification excluding persons in any of the aforementioned protected classes.

Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Attorney Louis Todisco, Connecticut State Department of Education, by mail 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06103 -1841; or by telephone 860 -713 -6594; or by email # Request for Proposal (RFP) # National School Lunch Program (NSLP) # Equipment Assistance Grants # Application Due Date : Ju ly 25 , 202 5 # Published: Ju ly 1, 202 5 Background ................................

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3 Grant Period ................................ ................................ ................................

............. 3 Eligible Applicants ................................ ................................

................................ ... 3 Funding ................................

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3 Overall Use of Fun ds ................................ ................................ ...............................

4 Purpose of the N SLP Equipment Assistance Grant ................................ ................. 4 Scoring Consideration ................................

................................ .............................. 5 Project Reporting ................................

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5 Application Deadline ................................ ................................ ...............................

5 Obligations of Grantees ................................ ................................ ...........................

6 Assurances ................................ ................................ ................................

............... 6 Freedom of Information Act ................................ ................................

.................... 6 Management Control of the Program and Gr an t Consultation ................................ 6 NSLP E quipment Assistance Grant Proposal ................................

................................ . 7 Budget Form ................................

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10 Budget Object Codes ................................ ................................ ................................

....... 11 Budget Narrative ................................ ................................

................................ .............. 12 Statement of Assurances ................................

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13 Sample Scoring Criteria Form ................................ ................................ .......................

18 Federal Terms and Conditions ................................ ................................ .......................

19 Appendix ................................ ................................ ................................

........................... 21 - 3 - National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants The Fiscal Year (FY) 20 24 Consolidated Appropriations Act , Public Law 11 8-42 , provide s funds to State a gencies to competitively award Equipment Assistance G rants to eligible school f ood authorities (SFA s) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) .

The funds allow SFAs to purchase equipment that enhances the school Child Nutrition Program in the following • opportunities to impact nutrition and improve the quality of school meals ; • supporting the impl ementation of updated nutrition requirements for school meals as well as healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns with emphasis on serving more fruits and vegetables , which includes items purchased locally ; • address food safety considering the age of food service equipment or lack of • improve and expand participation in the NSLP and/or S chool Breakfast Program Grant Period – July 1 , 202 5, through September 30, 202 6 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages grant recipients, through whatever means availab le, to expend all of their NSLP Equipment A ssistance Grant funds within the grant period .

SFAs must fully obligate their grant amounts by September 30 , 20 25. Federal p rocurement regulations at 7 CFR § 210. 21 and 2 CFR §§ 200.

317 -326 indicate that equipment competitively procured using these grant funds must be necessary, reasonable, and al locable. SFAs must follow all f ede ral, state, and l ocal procurement laws when purchasing equipment with these grant awards. Grant recipients must withdraw f unds no later than sixty (60 ) days after th e grant end date.

There are no exceptions to or waivers from this requirement. SFAs that are unable to obligate their grant amounts in full must notify the s tate agency by October 15 , 202 5. The un obligated funds will not be released and may be reallocated to a The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) awards these grants via a competitive grant process to SFAs.

P riority is given to schools that did not receive a previous NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant award within the last year . Total funds available are $108,255 . The CSDE will award grants of at least $1,000 and up to $15 ,000 per SFA (see section on Overall Use of Funds for further clarification).

The grant reimbursement will occur upon the SFA’s submission of a Fund Request within the Connecticut eGrants Management System (eGMS) . - 4 - The CSDE will make grant awards under this program based on scoring criteria (see page 18 ) and reserves the right to limit or prorate the award amounts based on th e number and need of applicant s. Grants are not final until the execution of award letters within the eGMS System .

The level of funding , reporting requirements , and effective dates of the project will be set forth in the notification of the grant award. For the FY 20 24 Equipment Assistance Grant, Congress has specified that the threshold for the purchase of equipment cannot be lower than $1,000. In addition, proposals may include any costs that are reasonably required to procure new equipment and place it in service .

This includ es delivery, installation, testing, and dispos al of the old equipment . For example, the purchase of a oven for the school food service would be an allowable cost, which c ould include the cost of minor alterations necessary for installation or operation .

However, a general renovation or extension to a food service area would fall under the category of construction costs, which is not an allowable cost of these grant funds . > As with all Federal grant funds, procurement regulations at 7 CFR § 210. 21 and 2 CFR §§ 200.

317 - > 326 appl y, and equipment competitively procured using these grant funds must be necessary, > reasonable, and allocable. SFAs are required to follow all federal, state, and local procurement laws when purchasing equipment with these grant funds (see page 19 for Purpose of the NSLP E quipment Assistance Grants These funds will allow SFAs to purchase the equipment needed to meet the new nutritional standards for schools .

The proposal must address how the equipment improves the quality of school meals as well as the focus area s identified below : • Food Safety : Equipment that improves the safety of food served in the school meal programs (e.g., cold, or hot holding equipment, blast chillers, refrigeration, or freezers) .

• Expand Participation: Equipment that supports an SFA ’s improve ment or expan sion of participation in the NSLP or SBP (e.g., strategies for adopting cafeteria changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student ).

• Efficiency: Equipment that improves the overall energy efficiency of the school nutrition operation which could include food storage and distribution/service (e.g., purchase of an energy efficient walk -in freezer to replace an outdated energy -demanding freezer) . • Promote “Smarter Lunchrooms :” A smarter lunchroom is one that influences students toward choosing healthier, more nutritious , as well as local foods.

- 5 - The CSDE will not score submitted proposals that do not contain written quote s for the cost of equipment and any necessary related work .

During the scoring and selection process the CSDE will consider the following factors : • opportunities to realize a meaningful impact on nutrition and quality of meals (such as serving more local foods or replacing fryers with combination steamer ovens) ; • age of food service equipment or lack of appropriate items ; • ability of the food service equipment to increase the efficiency cafeteria operations (food access/preparation/storage/distribution/service); and • strategies for adopting “Smarter Lunchrooms ” (e.g., lunchroom changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student population, highlighting healthier choices, redesigning menus that target healthier entrees/options as well as local food options ).

Movement | SNAP -Ed (usda. gov) . The CSDE will require c omplete accountability of the use of these grant funds, thus a ll grantees will submit accountability reports as requested in a format provided by the CSDE.

Each grant recipient must submit a summative report of the purchase and installation of the equipment funded pursuant to this grant. Grantees must provide a final project report to Sean Fogarty (Sean. Fogarty@ct.

gov ) on or before September 30, 20 26. All grantees must obligate their grant amounts by September 30, 2025. Grantee s that are unable to obligate their grant amounts in full must notify the state agency by October 15, 202 5, and the unobligated funds will not be released.

The CSDE may reallocate available funds (the returned funds and the funds not previously obligated to the grantees) to award the next applicant approved for an equipment grant that had not received funds during the initial competitive grant application process. Proposals must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern time Ju ly 25 , 20 25.

The CSDE will not grant The proposal must bear the signature of the food service director and the authorized representative of the SFA . A signature is also required in the Statement of Assurances , which is a component of all proposals . Submit only pages 7-17 , excluding page 1 1, electronically via email .

Questions should be directed to Sean Fogarty at 860 -807 -205 5 or Sean. Fogarty@ct. gov .

App lications m ust be e-mailed to: Sean Fogarty , Grants & Contracts Specialist Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Child Nutrition Programs Sean. Fogarty@ct. gov - 6 - All bidders are hereby notified that the grant to be awarded is subject to contract compliance requirements as set forth in Connecticut General Statute s (C.

G. S.) § 4a -60 and § 46a-68j -21 et seq.

of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (R. C. S.

A) . Furthermore, the grantee must submit periodic reports of its employment and subcontracting practices in such form, in such manner and at such time as may be prescribed by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Each application must include a Statement of Assurances undersigned by the authorized official of the district ( pages 13-17 ).

Freedom of Information Act All of the information contained in any proposal submitted in response to this RFP is subject to the provisions of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), C. G. S.

Sections 1 -200 et seq . The FOIA states that, except as provided by Federal or State law, records maintained by any public agency (as defined in FOIA) are public records, and every person has the right to inspect and request a copy of such records. Management Control of the Program and Grant Consultation The grantee must have complete man agement control of this grant.

While CSDE staff may be consulted for their expertise, they will not be directly respo nsi ble for the selection of sub - grantees or vendors, nor will they be directly involved in the expenditure and payment of funds.

- 7 - NSLP Equipment Grant 20 26 NSLP E quipment Assistance Grant Proposal Submit one (1) proposal and budget page per site Applicant School Food Authority SFA Name: _________________ ___ Sponsor Agreement Number: UEI Number : _______________ ____________________ Name of School /Site Where Equipment Will Be Used or Installed : Did this school previously receive an equipment grant last round ?

Yes: __ No : __ Equipment Sought : _______________________________________________________ Total Amount Requested: $_________ Number of Students to Benefit: __ _____ __ _ (Minimum $1,000 and Limit $15 ,000 total per SFA ) Please provide two (2) points of contact for your SFA for this project : Phon e Number of Contact Person: E-mail Address of Contact Person: Phone Number of Contact Person: E-mail Address of Contact Person: NSLP Attestation & Signature Page I, __________________ , the undersigned authorized chief administrative official of this School Food Authority , submit this application on behalf of the participating agency, attest to the appropriateness and accuracy of the information contained herein, and certify that this application, if funded, will comply with all federal, state and local requirements and that the Statement of Assurances and all other assurances made herein will be fully implemented.

Signature: ____________________________ Title: ______________________________ ****************************************************************************** As the Director/Manager/Supervisor of Food Services, I am aware of this grant application and attest to the accuracy of the information provided herein .

Signature : ______________________________ , Director/Manager/Supervisor of Food Services Name (typed): ______________________________ _ Date: _______________________ - 9 - Description of P ro posed Purchase 1) Submit a quote for the equipment from the vendor , along with detailed information on installation and labor costs .

Grant submissions without quote (s) will not be submitted 2) Type of equipment r equested:  Replacement of Equipment Age of equipment being replaced: __________  Re pair of Equipment Age of equipment being r epaired : __________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 3) Justify how th e requested equipment will increase opportunities to impact nutrition and improve the quality of school meals (you are encouraged to use an addendum to explain 4) Explain how the requested equipment will enhance all of the following areas (you are encouraged to use an addendum to explain each area) : • Support the implementation of updated nutrition requirements for school meals as well as healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns with emphasis on serving more fruits and vegetables, which includes items purchased locally; • Address Food Safety (age of food service equipment or lack of appropriate items); • Expand Participation ; and • Promote “Smarter Lunchrooms” 5) Describe an estimated timeline for the purchase and installation of the requested equipment (you may use an addendum if needed ):  Page s 7 -9 with signature (s) ;  this proposal (maximum of two pages explaining equipment, need, and how it will address items 3, 4 and 5 above) ;  written quote (s) for the proposed equipment and services ;  the proposed budget and budget n arrative (p ages 1 0 and 12);  the signed Statement of Assurances with the signature of the SFA designated Authorized Representative (pages 13-17) ; and  email all of the above to: Sean.

Fogarty@ct.

gov - 10 - Sponsor Agreement Number : Grant Title : FY20 26 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Project Title /Equipment : CORE -CT C lassification : FUND: 12060 SPID: 22386 Program : 82079 Budget Reference : 20 26 Chartfield 1: 170003 Grant Period : 7/1/20 25 - 9/3 0/20 26 Amount Total : Codes Descriptions Budget Breakdown 400 Purchased Property Service 500 Other Purchased Services This list is a description of the codes in the budget.

The list is provided to help you in designing your budget for the program. 400 Purchased Property Services. Services purchased to operate, repair, maintain, and rent property owned or used by the grantee.

These services are performed by persons other than grantee employees. While a product may or may not result from the transaction, the primary reason for the purchase is the service provided. 500 Other Purchased Services.

Amounts paid for services rendered by organizations or personnel not on the payroll of the grantee (separate from Professional and Technical Services or Property Services). While a product may or may not result from the transaction, the primary reason for the purchase is the service provided. 600 Supplies.

Amounts paid for items that are consumed, worn out, or deteriorated through use; or items that lose their identity through fabrication or incorporation into different or more complex units or substances. 700 Property. Expenditures for acquiring capital assets, including land, existing buildings, existing infrastructure assets, and equipment.

- 12 - Provide a detailed description in the spaces provided below of the proposed use of funds for each line -item amount listed on the budget page . Examples are provided for each budget 400 Purchased Property Services: “Quote from XYZ Equipment Supply for the replacement of door and compressor for outdoor walk -in freezer.

” 500 Other Purchased Services: “Estimated labor cost for installation of dish machine, including removal of old machine per quote by 123 Services . ” 60 0 Supplies: “Estimated amount projected for electrical outlet and wiring for blast chiller as quoted by ABC Electricians .

” 700 Property : “Quote received for walk -in f reezer from XYZ Equipment Supply Standard Statement of Assurances for Grant Programs Connecticut State Department of Education Project Title /Equipment : The Applicant hereby assures the Connecticut State Department of Education that: A. The applicant has the necessary legal authority to apply for and receive the proposed B.

The filing of this application has been authorized by the applicant's governing body, and the undersigned official has been duly authorized to file this application for and on behalf of said applicant, and otherwise to act as the authorized representative of the applicant in connection with this application. C.

The activities and services for which assistance is sought under this grant will be administered by or under the supervision and control of the applicant. D. The project will be operated in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and in compliance with regulations and other policies and administrative directives of the State Board of Education and the Connecticut State Department of Education.

E. Grant funds shall not be used to supplant funds normally budgeted by the agency. F.

Fiscal control and accounting procedures will be used to ensure proper disbursement of G. The applicant will submit a final project report (within 60 days of the project completion) and such other reports, as specified, to the Connecticut State Department of Education, including information relating to the project records and access thereto as the Connecticut State Department of Education may find necessary. H.

The Connecticut State Department of Education reserves the exclusive right to use and grant the right to use and/or publish any part or parts of any summary, abstract, reports, publications, records and materials resulting from this project and this grant. I.

If the project achieves the specified objectives, every reasonable effort will be made to continue the project and/or implement the results after the termination of state/federal J. The applicant will protect and save harmless the State Board of Education from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any breach of the duties, in whole or part, described in the application for the grant. K.

At the conclusion of each grant period, the applicant will provide for an independent audit report acceptable to the grantor in accordance with Sections 7 -394a and 7 -396a of - 14 - the C. G. S.

, and the applicant shall return to the Connecticut State Department of Education any moneys not expended in accordance with the approved program/operation budget as determined by the audit. 1) For purposes of this Section, the following terms are defined as follows: a. “Commission” means the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; b.

“Contract” and “contract” means this grant; c. “Contractor” and “contractor” means the applicant and any successors or d.

“Gender identity or expression” means a person’s gender -related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender -related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender -related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender -related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender -related identity or any other evidence that the gender - related identity is sincerely held, part of a person’s core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.

e. “good faith” means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations; f.

“good faith efforts” shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements; g. “marital status” means being single, married as recognized by the State of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced; h.

“mental disability” means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders; i.

“minority business enterprise” means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty -one percent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise, (2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of C. G. S.

§ 32 -9n; and j.

“public works contract” means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the State or any political subdivision of the State other than a municipality for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the State, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, 2) For purposes of this Section, the terms “Contract” and “contract” do not include a contract where each contractor is (a) a political subdivision of the state, including, but not limited to, a municipality, unless the contract is a municipal public works contract - 15 - or quasi -public agency project contract, (b) any other state, including but not limited to any federally recognized Indian tribal governments, as defined in C.

G. S. § 1 -267, (c) the federal government, (d) a foreign government, or (e) an agency of a subdivision, state or government described in the immediately preceding enumerated items (a), (b), (c), or (d).

3) (a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut; and the Contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants with job -related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by the Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved; (b) the Contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Contractor, to state that it is an “affirmative action equal opportunity employer” in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission; (c) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which the Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which the Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission advising the labor union or workers’ representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (d) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this Section and C.

G. S. §§ 46a -68e and 46a -68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to C.

G. S. §§ 46a -56, 46a -68e, 46a -68f and 46a - 86; and (e) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor as relate to the provisions of this Section and C.

G. S. § 46a -56.

If the contract is a public works contract, municipal public works contract or contract for a quasi -public agency project, the Contractor agrees and warrants that he or she will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works or quasi -public 4) Determination of the Contractor’s good faith efforts shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: The Contractor's employment and subcontracting policies, patterns and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training; technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the Commission may prescribe that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects.

5) The Contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Commission, of its good faith efforts.

- 16 - 6) The Contractor shall include the provisions of subsection (3) of this Section in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and in every subcontract entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a municipal public works contract for a quasi -public agency project, and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission.

The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with C. G. S.

§ 46a -56, as amended; provided if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding the State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so 7) The Contractor agrees to comply with the regulations referred to in this Section as they exist on the date of this Contract and as they may be adopted or amended from time to time during the term of this Contract and any amendments thereto.

8) (a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation; (b) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (c) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this section and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to C.

G. S. § 46a -56; and (d) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor which relate to the provisions of this Section and C.

G. S. § 46a -56.

9) The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing paragraph in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission.

The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with C. G. S.

§ 46a - 56, as amended; provided, if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding a State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter. - 17 - 10) Nondiscrimination Certification .

Pursuant to subsection (c) of section 4a -60 and subsection (b) of section 4a -60a of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Contractor, for itself and its authorized signatory of this Contract, affirms that it understands the obligations of this section and that it will maintain a policy for the duration of the Contract to assure that the Contract will be performed in compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of such sections.

The Contractor and its authorized signatory of this Contract demonstrate their understanding of this obligation by signing this Statement of Assurances below. M. The grant award is subject to approval of the Connecticut State Department of Education and availability of state or federal funds.

N. The applicant agrees and warrants that Sections 4 -190 to 4 -197, inclusive, of the C. G.

S. concerning the Personal Data Act and Sections 10 -4-8 to 10 -4-10, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies promulgated there under are hereby incorporated by