foodservice-rfp2027-8.5.26.docx

State of New Hampshire

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources DIVISION of PARKS and RECREATION 172 Pembroke Rd, 03301 Phone: 603/271-3556 Fax: 603/271-3553 Request for Proposals (RFP) Food Service Concession: Cannon Mountain & Flume Gorge

Anticipated start date: May 1, 2027. In service date May 26, 2027. This is a ten (10) year contract, pending NH Governor & Executive Council approval, with the option to extend the contract by two (2) additional five (5) year periods at the election of the vendor, pending NH Governor and Executive Council approval for extensions.

INVITATION & INTRODUCTION

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation (the “State” and “Division”) is seeking written proposals from New England regionally, or New Hampshire-based hospitality firms to operate the food service concession at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area, to include the Tramway Summit Station (4080’ Café), Peabody Base Lodge Food Court, Cannonball Pub in the Peabody Base Lodge, Notchview Lodge Cafe, the Mittersill Performance Center (collectively, “Cannon Mountain”), and the Flume Gorge / Gilman Visitors’ Center (the “Flume Gorge”) in addition to mobile (food trucks) and off-site events in the footprint of Franconia Notch State Park responsive to seasonal demands. The selected concessionaire will enter into a contract negotiation with the Division to secure final details. The contract will be drafted and approved in finality by the Division, which reserves its right to make a final decision after negotiations.

OBJECTIVE & SCOPE

Food service at Cannon Mountain and the Flume Gorge enhances the experience of the guests and provides a significant source of revenue for the Division. Additionally, food service should cater to skiers/snowboarders at Cannon in the winter and the food service company should generate additional revenues by actively promoting ancillary services in coordination with the State to include weddings, off-site seasonally driven events, and strategically appropriate food truck offerings. The Division is looking for proposals from companies that are innovative, fiscally responsible, and eager to create a mutually beneficial partnership.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The contracted concessionaire will operate the food service concession at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area, to include the Tramway Summit Station, Peabody Base Lodge Food Court (a deli, cafeteria and lounge with food service), Cannonball Pub at Peabody (a full liquor license pub), Notchview Lodge, and the Mittersill Warming Hut (collectively, “Cannon Mountain”), and the Flume Gorge / Gilman Visitors’ Center (the “Flume Gorge”). Food service also includes operating four facilities with liquor licenses: Peabody Lodge Food Court, serving beer and wine, Cannonball Pub, 4080’ Café in the Tramway Summit Station and the Notchview Café, operating under a full liquor license. In addition, the food service concessionaire is expected to promote and produce special event functions throughout the year at the direction of the State inclusive of weddings, off-site seasonally driven events, such as foliage season at Artists Bluff, and strategically appropriate food truck offerings.

The contract may or may not include the operation of vending machines (placement subject to approval by the Division). The concessionaire will be responsible for trash removal. The Division will operate the food service at the Tram Valley Station, the Old Man of the Mountain Museum and Historic Site, Lafayette Place Campground and and Echo Lake Beach.

The contracted concessionaire will be responsible for cleaning Cannonball Pub, Peabody Base Lodge upper floor, Notchview Café, 4080’ café (Tramway Summit Station), and Flume Gorge Food Court.

Use of facilities by outside parties:

The Division reserves its right to ask the concessionaire to rent out the Peabody Base Lodge (or other concessioned venues) to outside parties that may elect to bring in their own food service. This shall be offered to outside parties on an "as available" basis, based upon the concessionaire’s current event function schedule, and the concessionaire shall be expected to make the lodge itself and food preparation facilities available at a reasonable fee, to qualified food service firms. A security deposit may be charged to said outside users of the facilities. The liquor license will remain the property of the concessionaire and, if alcohol is to be served at events booked by outside parties, the concessionaire shall be the only company that may serve alcohol at such functions for which a fee is charged to the outside parties and/or the public attendees. (Was this in the last RFP? This is confusing – the concessionaire should have control over outside parties bringing in their own food service to the contracted space. If the concessionaire cannot provide the requested food service, the concessionaire may allow and outside party to bring in food service for a reasonable fee, etc)

Official Soft Drink Provider:

The contracted concessionaire will be expected to work with a (contracted or non-contracted) "Official Soft Drink Provider" as well as beer vendor/s, as determined by Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area and Franconia Notch State Park management.

Boutique Food Items, Packaged Goods & Other Retail Items:

The Division reserves for itself its right to sell boutique/proprietary labeled food items, packaged goods, and all other retail items at its venues. The contracted concessionaire is prohibited from offering or selling any products other than those food and beverage items under the food service contract, unless prior approval is granted in writing from the Division.

Quality Assurance and Operational Standards:

The concessionaire shall maintain food quality, customer service, sanitation, staffing, and operational practices that meet or exceed generally accepted industry standards for destination recreation, ski resort, and high-volume food service operations. The concessionaire shall implement written quality assurance procedures, maintain consistent food preparation and presentation standards, and promptly address any operational deficiencies identified by the Division. Failure to maintain acceptable service levels or operational standards may result in corrective action as provided in the resulting contract.

Management Meetings:

The concessionaire's General Manager, or an approved management designee authorized to make operational decisions, shall meet with the Division's General Manager, or designated representative, no less than once each month during the term of the contract. Meetings shall include, at a minimum, a review of financial performance, operational issues, guest service, staffing, upcoming events, capital improvements, safety concerns, and other matters affecting concession operations.

Reporting Requirements:

The concessionaire shall provide monthly operational and financial reports in Microsoft Excel format, or another Division-approved electronic format, utilizing generally accepted foodservice and hospitality industry reporting practices. Reports shall include, at a minimum:

· Gross sales by location and revenue category;

· Guest counts and average transaction value;

· Food, beverage, beer, wine, and liquor sales;

· Cost of goods sold;

· Labor hours and labor cost summaries;

· Inventory adjustments and waste reporting;

· Commission calculations and supporting documentation; and

· Any additional operational metrics reasonably requested by the Division.

Reports shall be submitted no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the following month unless otherwise approved by the Division.

Special Events, Weddings, Food Trucks and Catering Services:

The concessionaire shall actively support and accommodate weddings, banquets, corporate functions, meetings, mobile food offerings, community events, and other special events held at Cannon Mountain, Franconia Notch State Park, and the Flume Gorge. The concessionaire, in coordination with the State, shall designate management personnel responsible for event coordination and shall respond to inquiries, requests for proposals, and booking opportunities in a timely and professional manner.

The concessionaire shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate events planned/approved or directed by the State, consistent with facility availability, operational capacity, and Division scheduling priorities/guidelines. The concessionaire shall work collaboratively with Division staff throughout the planning process to ensure a high-quality guest experience and maximize event opportunities and associated revenues for both the concessionaire and the Division.

The concessionaire shall not unreasonably decline or discourage viable event opportunities and shall maintain sufficient staffing, planning, and operational capabilities to support the Division's event and revenue objectives throughout the contract term and shall acknowledge the Division’s right to enter into separate service level agreements for viable event opportunities not pursued or of interest to the concessionaire.

BACKGROUND

Cannon Mountain was one of the first ski areas developed in the State of New Hampshire, and among the first in the United States. It is the site of the first aerial tramway built in North America and the only such tramway in New Hampshire. Annual visits are approximately 140,000 to 150,000 skiers/riders per winter season and approximately 100,000 during the summer season.

The aerial tramway is one of NH's most visited summer attractions, and when combined with the nearby Flume Gorge, Lafayette Campground, Franconia Notch Recreational Path, Echo Lake Beach, Cannon Mountain RV Park, and the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site and Museum, Franconia Notch State Park is one of the most often visited destination in Northern NH. Summer visitation at Franconia Notch State Park is approximately 500,000 annually. Visitation at the Flume Gorge is approximately 300,000 total visitors annually, with approx. 125,000 paid visits.

Concessionaire Food & Beverage (F&B) Venues:

Cannon Mountain & Flume Gorge:

· “Mountain Station/ 4080’ Café” café/food court and small bar at 4,080’ elevation (winter / summer)

· Notchview Café at base of Cannon/Peabody area (primarily winter)

· Peabody Lodge food court at base of Cannon/Peabody area (winter, plus summer functions)

· Cannonball Pub at base of Cannon/Peabody area (winter, plus summer functions)

· Mittersill Performance Center / small F&B operation

· Flume Gorge food court (summer, plus winter opportunities as needed)

· Agreed upon vending opportunities for the concessionaire (we do not have room for arcade games)

· Other agreed upon and/or co-constructed venues, as needed, or if brought on-line

· Food Trucks at Artists Bluff

Gross Sales for food services for the last three (3) fiscal years:

Taxes: Property taxes to the Town of Franconia and the Town of Lincoln shall be the responsibility of the food service concessionaire.

Other general requirements: The contracted concessionaire must provide, and have and hold at its expense, at all times during the contract:

1) Proof of general liability insurance, including liquor liability insurance that covers its operations and services.

2) Proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance which covers all its employees.

3) All local and State licensing and permitting required for its operations and services.

I. REQUIRED BID CONTENT & FORMAT

A. Operating Plan MENU

1. Present your standard menu for food & beverage; broken out by location, including:

a. portion size

b. presentation (plate, platter, etc.)

c. price

d. location

e. food grade and source

2. Present examples of unique items of interest to winter and summer guests, including:

a. portion size

b. presentation

c. price

d. location

e. dates/occasions that the item(s) is (are) offered

3. Present one or more examples of special event menus.

4. Present one or more examples of mobile food (food truck) menus.

5. Present one or more examples of custom menu offerings for Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park.

B. INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Present a recommended design and furnishing for all food service areas, including areas that are open to public, the visible food service area, and food preparation areas.

2. Explain what your company will do to achieve the above, Section B.1, by using the company’s financial and other resources.

3. Explain what your company would currently propose to achieve the above, Section B.1, by sharing the cost of improvements with the Division, as provided in Section II.F., below.

C. MANAGEMENT

1. Provide a listing of the staffing (including salary ranges) that you will commit to the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge operation.

2. Provide an organization chart of the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge concession operations and how it links with your business model.

3. Describe how your company is uniquely qualified to operate the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge food service.

4. Explain how your company will integrate food service with the rest of Cannon Mountain and Flume Gorge operations that are managed by the Division.

5. Explain your company's dress code and hiring (screening) process as it relates to this operation.

6. Provide your proposed operating schedule, by season and by location.

7. Explain your company's training program as it relates to safety and service, including food safety.

8. Explain how your company would minimize waste flow through recycling and other practices at the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge operation.

9. Explain how your company would reduce energy consumption at the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge operation.

D. MARKETING/BUSINESS PLAN

1. Provide a plan to maximize revenues obtained from existing visitors to Cannon Mountain and the Flume Gorge.

2. Provide a plan to increase the number of visitors to Cannon Mountain and the Flume Gorge.

3. Provide a plan to collaborate with the Division’s marketing team and contracted vendor for continuity of operations and consistency of message.

E. PROMOTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE PARKS AND RECREATION RESOURCES

The Division's mission includes promoting and enhancing New Hampshire's parks and recreation resources. In accordance with RSA 12-A:1-c; the successful concessionaire will be expected to actively support and advance this mission through its operations, marketing, partnerships, and guest engagement.

Proposers shall provide the following:

1. Describe your company's historical experience supporting, promoting, or partnering with New Hampshire state parks, recreational facilities, tourism destinations, ski areas, or other public recreation assets.

2. Describe any existing relationships or partnerships with New Hampshire organizations, tourism entities, local businesses, agricultural producers, or recreational organizations that would enhance the visitor experience.

3. Provide a detailed plan describing how your company will, in coordination with the Division’s marketing team, actively promote Cannon Mountain, Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge, and other New Hampshire parks and recreation resources throughout the contract term.

4. Describe any proposed initiatives to increase visitation, encourage repeat guests, support local communities, promote New Hampshire products, or otherwise further the Department's statutory mission.

Il. Financial Commitment A. Outline the start-up costs associated with the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge food service.

B. Explain how your company will meet these start-up costs.

C. Present a business plan and financial projections of costs and revenues for three operating seasons.

D. Provide financial statements that support your company's ability to sustain this business and operation.

E. Provide the commission rate paid to the Division on a monthly basis that your company will pay on gross revenue of all sales. The Division does not believe that the highest percentage of commission will necessarily result in the greatest economic gain for the State. You are encouraged to demonstrate how your proposed commission rate, your volume of sales, and your quality of product will produce the best net return to the State.

The contracted concessionaire shall maintain such records that meet generally accepted accounting principles that are reviewed by a Certified Public Accountant. The records shall be kept in a manner that clearly identifies revenue generated from its operations and services associated with this contract. The records, including bank transactions, shall be made available upon demand to the Division for purposes of verifying and auditing revenue and commission payments.

F. Provide a commitment letter to fund $1,000,000 at minimum, for the purpose of purchase, design, construction, and/or installation of food service equipment and facility improvements to be made during the initial 10-year contract, and a pledge to commence discussions with the Division regarding such improvements within the first six (6) months of said contract.

Ill. Experience and Qualifications A. Provide details of your company's food service background.

B. Provide details of the food service background of each individual key personnel who will be working on this account, including where their experience took place and over what period of years.

C. Provide as much detail as possible related to your company’s and the key personnel’s ski and snowboard industry, summer recreation and tourism industry, function and catering, and state park food and beverage experience.

D. Provide documentation that your company is compliant with industry-standard practices and procedures to protect and safeguard credit card data, including employee training.

E. Provide information and supporting documentation on the financial capability of your company’s ability to implement the proposal.

IV. References A. Provide a list of at least three (3) business references (contact name, company, address and phone number) that can attest to your company's ability to provide high volume food service on an ongoing basis, two which must be clients for which you have worked.

B. Provide records of the past two (2) years of food service health inspections and liquor compliance.

C. Provide the results of any customer surveys related to your company’s services.

V. Tasks & Work Products

A. MANDATORY ON-SITE MEETING:

All prospective bidders shall attend the Mandatory Meeting and Site Tour with Cannon Mountain Manager, Flume Park Manager and other park personnel. The Division may provide a list of all equipment that will be provided to the successful bidder. The date and time of the Mandatory Meeting will be on November 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Franconia Notch State Park Headquarters.

WARRANTY: The property described herein will be provided for concession purposes subject to the provisions and conditions of a contract, therefore, bidders are expected to examine the property and to form their own conclusions as to its suitability for concession purposes. The Division makes no guaranty or warranty, either expressed or implied, with respect to the property.

B. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS:

1. Prospective bidders must submit their proposal in electronic format on a USB flash drive and provide an additional five (5) hard copies of their proposals to:

Jeff Collins, Interim General Manager Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area Franconia Notch State Park 260 Tramway Drive Franconia, NH 03580

2. Proposals must be labeled "Proposal for Cannon/FNSP Food Concession".

3. Proposals are due no later than 3:00 pm on January 1, 2027, at the above address.

4. Proposals must be signed by an officer of the company. The Division reserves the right to seek supplemental information from any firm at any time prior to awarding the contract.

5. The bidder must include a statement of fact that its company officers and the staff committed to the Cannon Mountain/Flume Gorge operation have no felony convictions and are not under indictment for any Federal offense.

VI. Evaluation Criteria, Terms and Conditions & Contract Award:

A. EVALUATION CRITERIA*

Proposals will be judged by the Division on their relative performance in the following areas:

1. Operating Plan, as described in Section I above (30%)

2. Promotion of New Hampshire Tourism, emphasizing NH Parks & Recreation Resources (10%)

3. Financial Commitment, including proposed commission rate, and capital improvements plan, as described in Section II (30%)

4. Experience and qualifications, as described in Section III, and References, as described in Section IV, above (30%)

*It is the Division’s intent to request in-person Proposer Presentations and Interviews by invitation only, as deemed necessary for validation and clarifications, as necessary, for final award consideration.

Rights of the Division in accepting and evaluating Proposals The Division reserves its right to:

· Make independent investigations in evaluating Proposals.

· Request additional information to clarify elements of a Proposal.

· Waive minor or immaterial deviations from the RFP requirements, if determined to be in the best interest of the Division.

· Omit any planned evaluation step if, in the Division’s view, the step is not needed.

· Reject any and all Proposals at any time, at the sole discretion of the Division.

B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE RFP PROCESS

1. Property Restrictions. The State Park property (Park), including areas subject to this RFP, are restricted by covenants under Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Certain uses of the Park, including alterations, improvements, and expansion to the premises may be restricted under these covenants and shall therefore require review and approval procedures provided in Federal Sections 6(f) and 106 regulatory review herein. The contracted vendor shall be solely responsible for any actions taken without prior approval of the State that violate the restricted covenants under Section 6(f) and Section 106.

2. RFP Addendum. The Division reserves the right to amend this RFP at its discretion, prior to the Proposal submission deadline. In the event of an addendum to this RFP, the Division, at its sole discretion, may extend the Proposal submission deadline, as deemed appropriate.

3. Non-Collusion. The Contractor’s signature on a Proposal submitted in response to this RFP guarantees that the prices, terms and conditions, and Work quoted have been established without collusion with other Contractors and without effort to preclude the Division from obtaining the best possible competitive Proposal.

4. Property of the Division. All material received in response to this RFP shall become the property of the State and will not be returned to the Contractor. Upon Contract award, the State reserves the right to use any information presented in any Proposal.

5. Confidentiality of a Proposal. Unless necessary for the approval of a contract, the substance of a proposal must remain confidential until the Effective Date of any Contract resulting from this RFP. A Proposer’s disclosure or distribution of Proposals other than to the Division will be grounds for disqualification.

6. Public Disclosure. Pursuant to RSA 21-G:37, all responses to this RFP shall be considered confidential until the award of a contract. At the time of receipt of proposals, the Division will post the number of responses received with no further information. No later than five (5) business days prior to submission of a contract to Governor & Executive Council pursuant to this RFP, the Division will post the name, rank or score of each proposer.

The content of each Proposer’s Proposal shall become public information upon the award of any resulting Contract. Any information submitted as part of a response to this request for proposal (RFP) may be subject to public disclosure under RSA 91-A. In addition, in accordance with RSA 9-F:1, any contract entered into as a result of this RFP will be made accessible to the public online via the website Transparent NH (http://www.nh.gov/transparentnh/). Accordingly, business financial information and proprietary information such as trade secrets, business and financials models and forecasts, and proprietary formulas may be exempt from public disclosure under RSA 91-A:5, IV. If you believe any information being submitted in response to this request for proposal, bid or information should be kept confidential as financial or proprietary information; you must specifically identify that information in a letter to the agency, and must mark/stamp each page of the materials that you claim must be exempt from disclosure as “CONFIDENTIAL”. A designation by the Proposer of information it believes exempt does not have the effect of making such information exempt. The Division will determine the information it believes is properly exempted from disclosure. Marking of the entire Proposal or entire sections of the Proposal (e.g. pricing) as confidential will neither be accepted nor honored. Notwithstanding any provision of this RFP to the contrary, Proposer pricing will be subject to disclosure upon approval of the contract. The Division will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality of portions of the Proposal that are clearly and properly marked confidential. If a request is made to the Division to view portions of a Proposal that the Proposer has properly and clearly marked confidential, the Division will notify the Proposer of the request and of the date the Division plans to release the records. By submitting a Proposal, Proposers agree that unless the Proposer obtains a court order, at its sole expense, enjoining the release of the requested information, the Division may release the requested information on the date specified in the Division’s notice without any liability to the Proposers.

7. Non-Commitment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this RFP, this RFP does not commit the Division to award a Contract. The Division reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any and all Proposals, or any portions thereof, at any time; to cancel this RFP; and to solicit new Proposals under a new acquisition process.

8. Proposal Preparation Cost. By submitting a Proposal, a Proposer agrees that in no event shall the Division be either responsible for or held liable for any costs incurred by a Proposer in the preparation of or in connection with the Proposal, or for Work performed prior to the Effective Date of a resulting Contract.

9. Ethical Requirements. From the time this RFP is published until a contract is awarded, no bidder shall offer or give, directly or indirectly, any gift, expense reimbursement, or honorarium, as defined by RSA 15-B, to any elected official, public official, public employee, constitutional official, or family member of any such official or employee who will or has selected, evaluated, or awarded an RFP, or similar submission. Any bidder that violates RSA 21-G:38 shall be subject to prosecution for an offense under RSA 640:2. Any bidder who has been convicted of an offense based on conduct in violation of this section, which has not been annulled, or who is subject to a pending criminal charge for such an offense, shall be disqualified from bidding on the RFP, or similar request for submission and every such bidder shall be disqualified from bidding on any RFP or similar request for submission issued by any state agency. A bidder that was disqualified under this section because of a pending criminal charge which is subsequently dismissed, results in an acquittal, or is annulled, may notify the department of administrative services, which shall note that information on the list maintained on the state’s internal intranet system, except in the case of annulment, the information, shall be deleted from the list.

10. Challenges on Form or Process of the RFP. Any challenges regarding the validity or legality of the form and procedures of this RFP shall be brought to the attention of the Division at least ten (10) business days prior to the Proposal Submission Deadline. By submitting a proposal, the Proposer waives the right to challenge the Division’s use of the form and procedures of the RFP, including the criteria for evaluating and scoring the Proposals.

11. The successful proposer shall comply with all operational, management, reporting, quality, and performance requirements contained in this RFP and the resulting contract. If the concessionaire fails to meet these requirements, the Division may issue a written notice of deficiency and require a corrective action plan within a timeframe established by the Division. Continued, repeated, or material failure to correct identified deficiencies may constitute grounds for the Division to exercise any remedies available under the resulting contract, including termination.

C. AWARDING OF CONTRACT

As outlined in the Invitation and Introduction section, the Division may enter into contract negotiations with the highest scoring firm. In the event that agreement cannot be reached, the Division may enter into negotiations with the second highest scoring firm or reject all proposals. The Division may also choose to entertain multiple high scorers to obtain further information and comfort prior to making a final decision, engaging in contract negotiations, and awarding a contract.

Any resulting contract from this RFP will be a non-exclusive contract. The Division reserves its right, at its discretion, to retain other contractors to provide any of the services or deliverables identified under this RFP or make an award by item, part or portion of an item, group of items, or total Proposal.

The contract recommended by the Commissioner will be proposed to the Governor and Executive Council for final approval. Pending approval by the Governor and Executive Council, the contract is expected to commence on May 1, 2027. The Division reserves its right to reject any and all proposals for any reason at any time.

D. QUESTIONS

For questions regarding this RFP, please contact:

Jeff Collins, Interim General Manager Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area Franconia Notch State Park 603-823-8800

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