2027 Mobile Vending Carts

The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting proposals from independently owned and managed operators for mobile food and merchandise vending carts at 19 park locations for the 2027 season, with pre-proposal questions due November 16, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern and proposals due December 1, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. No explicit set-aside has been established. The RFP encourages participation from small, local, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, and certification is not mandatory for bid eligibility.

Operators must demonstrate experience in mobile food or concession cart operation, professional management ability, and good character and reputation. Vendors may bid on one or multiple locations, with a $250 proposal deposit per location bid. Winning deposits are credited toward first month's rent, and non-winning deposits are returned. Vendors may sell only products approved by the Parks Department, documented on a Product Sheet with item descriptions, sourcing, pricing, cut sheets, and photographs for cart compliance review.

Proposals must be submitted as two separate documents: a technical proposal with no pricing and a detailed price proposal, through the City of Boston Supplier Portal or by mail. Proposals that fail to segregate pricing will be rejected. Pricing is a key selection factor. Minimum monthly license fees range from $300 to $1,000 depending on location and product category, and monthly rent is due by the first of each month before vending. The contract term runs April 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027, with selection anticipated by December 18, 2026.

Evaluation begins with minimum criteria (timely submission, proper documentation, and separate proposal submissions), followed by comparative review of experience operating outdoor mobile vendor carts, concession concept and menu offerings, and management and operations plans. Site visits are available by request through November 12, 2026.

Selected vendors must carry workers' compensation, automobile liability, and umbrella liability coverage, plus commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence, with the City of Boston named as additional insured. Bidders must certify compliance with City of Boston CORI policies, non-debarment, tax compliance, and Massachusetts prevailing wage laws where applicable. All terms are governed by Massachusetts law, with exclusive jurisdiction in Boston courts.