10838-20250218142735 JSU

Jackson State University (JSU) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP 25-05) for comprehensive beverage and vending services across its campus, seeking a contractor to provide exclusive beverage pouring rights, retail beverage sales, and vending machine operations. The procurement covers 100% of beverage pouring rights, 85% of retail beverage shelf space, and 100% of beverage vending across campus facilities. Evaluation criteria will be based on projected financial return to JSU (40-45%), corporate structure/credentials (10-20%), operations plan (20-25%), product preference (20%), and efficiencies/sustainability (10%). The current vending infrastructure includes 31 beverage machines, 16 glass front beverage machines, 1 cold food machine, 35 snack machines, and 7 fountain units. Key procurement dates include a pre-bid conference on February 25, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the JSU Student Center, written questions due by March 13, 2025, with responses posted by March 20, 2025, and proposals due by April 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

The contract will be awarded for a 10-year term with an optional 3-year renewal period, commencing July 1, 2025. The successful vendor must provide new equipment with wireless card readers capable of accepting JSU Supercards and standard credit/debit cards, maintain specified equipment repair response times, and remit monthly commissions based on gross sales. While no specific set-aside designations or vendor restrictions were explicitly mentioned in the RFP, vendors will be evaluated on their corporate structure, operational capabilities, and financial proposals. The contract appears to represent a significant revenue opportunity for the selected vendor, with comprehensive campus-wide beverage and vending rights. Prospective bidders should be prepared to demonstrate robust operational capabilities, financial stability, and a comprehensive approach to managing campus beverage and vending services that aligns with JSU's institutional requirements and sustainability goals.