The New York State Office for the Aging is having trouble swallowing the city’s consolidation plan for delivering meals to 17,000 homebound seniors across the city. The plan calls for turning the 96 meal delivery contracts into 20 larger contracts. But the plan has yet to win approval from the State Office for the Aging, known as SOFA. SOFA’s director, Michael Burgess, recently sent the city’s Department for the Aging a five-page letter posing a slew of questions and demanding detailed information about the consolidation plan. Advocates who oppose the consolidation said Burgess’ letter was prompted by complaints by a number of elected officials, including state Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz (D-Bronx). They contend the state action is a major speed bump in the plan’s path. Bobbie Sackman of the Council of Senior Centers and Services said of the state action, “This is the first time we know of that the state office has ordered the city to explain its proposed changes that will dramatically change the way senior services, including Meals On Wheels, have been delivered.” Responses to a city Requests for Proposals (RFP), a form of bidding process, are due Aug. 1, with officials…