Retail and Catering Food Services

This RFP is an invitation to submit offers for the provision of retail food service operations, catering services, and enhanced vending which shall include automated self-serve fresh food and beverage kiosks and micro markets to help bridge the gap between staffed outlets and traditional vending where appropriate at RDP. RDP is concurrently inviting offers in an alternate RFP for the provision of traditional vending (pre-packaged food and beverages with appropriate shelf life not made on site), which has historically been managed as a separate contract from the Food Service Agreement and will continue to be a separate and distinct business from the enhanced vending solution(s). It is RDP’s expectation that the successful proponent will be committed to offering a consistent level of food service that supports the needs and develops the patronage of students, faculty, staff, and community members. To this end, scheduling changes will be kept to a minimum and only employed in response to annual fluctuations in demand. The successful proponent will offer a consistent, sustainable, service-focused approach that offers food service seven (7) days a week with the flexibility to support academic, athletic, cultural and special events as required. To this end, enhanced vending solutions offering self-serve, on-demand fresh food and hot beverages, are anticipated for areas currently underserviced or requiring additional services to meet the needs of increased programming and enrollment over the Term of the contract. The selected proponent will be requested to enter into negotiations with RDP for the provision of the Services in Section 2 – Service Specifics of this RFP. It is RDP’s intention to enter into the Form of Agreement attached as Appendix A to this RFP with only one (1) legal entity. The term of the agreement is to be for a period of ten (10) years with an option in favour of RDP to extend the agreement on the same or similar terms and conditions for an additional five (5) year term. It is anticipated that the agreement will commence on June 1, 2024. A mandatory site visit has been scheduled for January 17, 2024 per the timetable within the bid package. Proponents intending to be present are requested to complete Attachment # 1 Site Visit, two (2) business days prior to the site visit. A limit of two (2) representatives per firm will be permitted. Proposals received will be evaluated via a four (4) stage method in which the highest ranking proponent will be invited to enter negotiations with RDP.