RFP for Food Service Operations at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 250268-0000
- Agency
-
Smithsonian Institution
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 722310 Food Service Contractors
- PSC
- S203 Housekeeping- Food
- Place of performance
- Washington, District of Columbia 20008, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Smithsonian Institution National Zoo seeks proposals for the comprehensive management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within its Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. The scope of work includes operating three restaurant spaces, two cafes, mobile food carts, food vending machines, food trucks, and catering services. Key contract requirements emphasize sustainability standards, including the use of Bird Friendly certified coffee, prohibition of single-use plastics, plant-based meal options, comprehensive recycling and composting programs, and strict food safety and sanitation compliance. Contractors must maintain ServSafe certification, implement electronic payment systems, provide staff and member discounts, and adhere to specific operational hours during peak and off-peak seasons. The RFP includes sample concession agreements detailing a three-year contract term with potential for two two-year extensions, with compensation based on a percentage of gross receipts or net sales. The original proposal submission deadline was extended multiple times, with the final deadline of 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on December 2, 2025, for revised proposals from vendors who submitted by the October 14, 2025 initial deadline. The deadline for submitting questions was September 8, 2025, and a mandatory facility walk-through was scheduled for September 3, 2025.
This solicitation carries no set-aside designations and is not governed by federal procurement procedures, as it is issued by the Smithsonian Institution on behalf of its operations. No current contractor incumbents or award values are specified in the notice; however, the concession fee structure indicates compensation will be based on a percentage of receipts, with the food truck agreement specifically noting a 30% commission on net sales as one potential arrangement. The place of performance is the Smithsonian Institution National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian anticipates making award decisions in summer or fall 2026, reflecting a lengthy evaluation period due to the volume of proposals received. All proposals and correspondence must be directed exclusively to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu, with the Smithsonian cautioning vendors not to respond to unauthorized third parties regarding this RFP.
Notice text
8 versions
Update #8 · Latest ·
Amendment No. 7: Notifies offerors that Smithsonian does not anticipate making an award until summer or fall 2026.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 6: Smithsonian is offering an opportunity to offerors who submitted a proposal by the original deadline of 12:00 pm EST October 14, 2025, to ensure that they submitted their final, comple proposal, including any attachments. Any revised proposals are due by 12:00 pm Eastern time, December 2, 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 5: Revises proposal due date; Revisions to RFP; Questions and Answers
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 4: ALERT: Do not respond to third parties regarding this RFP. Direct responses to the Smithsonian Institution ONLY. Update on Q&A and proposal due date.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #7 ·
Amendment No. 6: Smithsonian is offering an opportunity to offerors who submitted a proposal by the original deadline of 12:00 pm EST October 14, 2025, to ensure that they submitted their final, comple proposal, including any attachments. Any revised proposals are due by 12:00 pm Eastern time, December 2, 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 5: Revises proposal due date; Revisions to RFP; Questions and Answers
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 4: ALERT: Do not respond to third parties regarding this RFP. Direct responses to the Smithsonian Institution ONLY. Update on Q&A and proposal due date.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #6 ·
Amendment No. 5: Revises proposal due date; Revisions to RFP; Questions and Answers
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 4: ALERT: Do not respond to third parties regarding this RFP. Direct responses to the Smithsonian Institution ONLY. Update on Q&A and proposal due date.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #5 ·
Amendment No. 4: ALERT: Do not respond to third parties regarding this RFP. Direct responses to the Smithsonian Institution ONLY. Update on Q&A and proposal due date.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #4 ·
Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #3 ·
Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST.
Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025.
Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.
Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #2 ·
Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.
Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Update #1 ·
Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:
The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering.
If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.
If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
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