Farmers Market Operations and Management Services

The City of Palm Desert is requesting proposals for farmers market operations and management services to develop and operate a recurring weekly market serving residents and seasonal visitors, with proposals due July 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and questions due July 17, 2026.

Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience operating farmers markets or similar public market programs, with preference given to those with California Certified Farmers Market experience and established relationships with certified agricultural producers. The market will operate October through May at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center parking lot (73-751 Magnesia Falls Drive) and must recruit 20 to 30 vendors during the initial season with a minimum of 50 percent certified agricultural farmers. The operator assumes full responsibility for permitting, regulatory compliance, vendor insurance verification, site operations, safety coordination, and comprehensive performance reporting on market attendance, vendor participation, and financial metrics.

The City anticipates an initial contract value of approximately $20,000, though the contract amount is currently undetermined and may be adjusted based on the selected proposal and available budget. The initial term runs September 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027, with renewal options for up to four additional one-year terms subject to City approval, available funding, and satisfactory performance. Selected operators may request additional City financial or non-financial support as part of their proposals, with no guarantee of funding provided.

Evaluation criteria are market concept and City-goal alignment (25 percent), operational plan and vendor recruitment (25 percent), relevant experience (20 percent), financial sustainability (15 percent), community benefit and marketing (10 percent), and references (5 percent). The consultant must maintain comprehensive insurance including $1 million general liability per occurrence, $1 million automobile liability, and $1 million professional liability. This is classified as a public project under California Labor Code Section 1720(a), triggering prevailing wage compliance where applicable. Proposals are submitted through the City's OpenGov Procurement portal; no pre-proposal meeting is scheduled.