13284-20250108082653 DSU

Delta State University is seeking proposals for comprehensive beverage services, including vending, retail, and pouring rights across its Cleveland, Mississippi campus. The Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to establish a strategic beverage partnership that will manage beverage distribution in various campus facilities, including athletic venues for NCAA Division II sports. Sealed proposals are due by 2:00 pm CST on January 30, 2025, with a mandatory campus visit scheduled for January 20, 2025. The contract term is five years, with potential two-year extension options. Evaluation criteria will assess projected financial return (40%), operations and plan (20%), product preference (20%), corporate structure/credentials (10%), and efficiencies/sustainability (10%). Proposers must meet specific requirements, including maintaining energy-efficient equipment with 50% of machines using "Energy Miser" technology in the first year, increasing to 100% by year three. The current campus infrastructure includes 23 beverage vending machines, 46 single door coolers, 14 double door coolers, and 9 countertop coolers.

The RFP grants an exclusive contract for 100% of pouring rights and 85% of vending across campus facilities, with some flexibility for faculty, staff, and student preferences. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, potential vendors must demonstrate robust corporate capabilities and a comprehensive service approach. The vendor will be required to provide 24-hour repair service with a three-hour response time and submit monthly royalties and commissions by the 10th of each month. Although specific financial terms are not explicitly detailed, the evaluation criteria's emphasis on financial return suggests significant revenue potential for the selected vendor. Interested parties must submit questions by January 21, 2025, with university responses provided by January 27, 2025. The comprehensive nature of the contract and the extensive campus infrastructure indicate a potentially lucrative opportunity for a qualified beverage service provider with strong operational capabilities and a strategic approach to campus beverage distribution.