DEEP-2026-014-MM Addendum.pdf

This addendum to RFP Solicitation DEEP-2026-014-MM updates the procurement schedule for food and beverage concession services at Gillette Castle State Park issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The RFP seeks a concessionaire to operate a concession building serving approximately 100,000 annual day-use visitors, providing light fare including breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, and beverages with healthy options preferred. The mandatory site visit has been rescheduled from March 17, 2026, to March 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST; the deadline for written questions has been extended from March 20, 2026, to March 30, 2026, with answers released April 3, 2026; and the proposal submission deadline has been extended from April 7, 2026, to April 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposer selection and contract negotiations are anticipated to begin in April 2026, with the selected vendor entering into a three-year contract with optional extensions of up to three additional years in one-year increments.

The concessionaire must meet minimum qualifications of two or more years of experience operating food and beverage concession services and a valid food service license from a Connecticut health district or department. The compensation structure consists of an annual fixed rent of $5,000 plus a percentage of gross annual revenue to be proposed by the respondent and evaluated during contract negotiations. The concessionaire bears all operational costs including personnel, equipment, supplies, utilities, insurance, permits, licenses, maintenance, pest control, and refuse disposal, and must maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, automobile liability of at least $1,000,000, workers' compensation coverage, and fire liability coverage with the State named as additional insured. The concessionaire must operate a minimum schedule including weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), weekdays in July and August (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and additional weekend operations through fall holidays, with menu subject to DEEP approval.