Dining Services

The State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA), Division of Procurement Services, is requesting proposals on behalf of Clemson University for comprehensive dining services across three lots (Student Dining & Campus Retail, Athletics Catering & Concessions, and Premium Hospitality & VIP Services), with proposals due October 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Offerors may bid any combination of lots. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit will be held September 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST at Clemson University, limited to three attendees per company; questions are due September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

The scope encompasses residential dining halls, retail dining locations, convenience stores, meal plan administration, campus catering, summer dining, mobile food truck operations, athletics concessions, event foodservice, suites, clubs, and premium seating hospitality. The contractor must maintain all facilities to high standards, manage a full-time equipment liaison position, and comply with extensive food-quality standards including minimum grades for meats (USDA Choice or better), cage-free Grade A Large shell eggs, USDA inspected Grade A poultry, and specified dairy, frozen-dessert, and prepared-food requirements. Dining hours must span 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with at least one location open until 1 a.m. Meal plans are reimbursed based on participation and the contractor's accepted rate; Paw Points and Tiger Stripe sales are invoiced at 100% with Clemson receiving a 15% commission. The contractor bears all franchise fees, royalties, and licensing costs for branded concepts unless expressly identified as a University responsibility.

The initial contract term is ten years with five optional one-year renewals, creating a maximum fifteen-year potential contract life. The estimated start date is July 1, 2027. Clemson University provides utilities, pest control, CBORD meal-plan system access, and reasonable office space at no charge. Award is anticipated December 9, 2026. No estimated contract value is stated in the solicitation summary.