Alcoholic Beverage Services at Bikefest

The City of Leesburg, Florida is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive alcoholic beverage services for the annual Leesburg Bikefest, a three-day event attracting between 70,000 to 100,000 attendees. The Request for Proposal (RFP-26-003-HG) solicits a licensed vendor to manage all aspects of alcohol sales, including providing labor, equipment, materials, permits, and supplies for beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages during the festival. Minimum qualifications include three years of relevant experience in beverage services, current Florida business registration, E-Verify compliance, and substantial insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in liquor liability insurance. The proposal evaluation will involve a Selection Committee review of written submissions, with potential presentations from top-ranked firms. Proposals are due by 11:00 a.m. on November 12, 2025, with a tentative award recommendation date of November 21, 2025. The initial contract period spans three years, with an option to renew for an additional three-year term by mutual agreement.

The contract will be structured as a profit-sharing arrangement, with the selected vendor and the City negotiating a revenue split percentage of gross sales after taxes and credit card fees. The vendor will receive exclusive rights to alcoholic beverage sales and must provide all necessary equipment including tents, coolers, bars, and golf carts, as well as furnishings and staffing. The incumbent service provider is the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce, and current sponsorships include a partnership with Wayne Densch/Budweiser. Historical financial data shows event sales growth, with revenues increasing from $165,223 in 2024 to $222,823 in 2025, and a pre-COVID peak of $476,425 in 2019. The event operates across 8-10 service bars, with service hours on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Annual price adjustments will be permitted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers, with increases capped at five percent.