UNSPSC 50202206: Spirits or liquors

UNSPSC 50202206 Spirits or liquors is a Commodity code under which state and local governments procure beer, wine, and spirits for public venues and events, typically through concession operations and alcohol-supply contracts rather than direct retail purchase. The work solicited under this code involves operating alcohol service at public facilities — operating beer tents and grandstand concessions at multi-day events, running seasonal beer gardens at county parks, and supplying alcohol inventory for event venues. Issuing bodies include state departments (Illinois Department of Agriculture) and county purchasing divisions (Kenosha County, Wisconsin). The scope extends beyond simple product procurement to encompassing full operational responsibility: vendors supply equipment, staffing, point-of-sale systems, refrigeration, portable facilities, insurance, and permitting in exchange for exclusive pouring rights and a percentage of gross sales remitted to the jurisdictions.

Recent activity concentrates in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Illinois Department of Agriculture posted two competitive procurements in March 2026 — an RFP for Beer Tent Concession Operation at the Illinois State Fair (due March 26, 2026, with historical sales of approximately $630,372) and an IFB for Grandstand Beer Concession Operation (due March 26, 2026, with estimated 2025 grandstand sales of $494,124). Kenosha County, Wisconsin issued an RFP for beer garden concessions at Petrifying Springs Park (due April 14, 2026, pre-proposal conference March 10, 2026) with a five-year term starting January 1, 2027. Historical emergency procurements by the Illinois Department of Agriculture show prior awards to American Business Club (Springfield) and the Combined Veterans Association of Illinois (Springfield) for alcohol supply and beer tent operations during the State Fair. Price-point restrictions are consistent — maximum $6.00 per beer, $5.00 per non-alcoholic beverage — and vendors must maintain liquor licenses, dram shop insurance, and commercial liability coverage ($1,000,000 per occurrence typical). Remittance to the jurisdiction ranges from 13.5 to 15 percent of gross sales. Illinois Procurement Code Section 53-10 governs concession contracts; vendors claiming state business preferences must submit supporting documentation. No blanket set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are identified, though Illinois applicants may claim Business Preference or Domestic Product Preference status.