Food Service in Recreation and Wellness Center

The University of Houston-Clear Lake is seeking a food service provider for its Recreation and Wellness Center through Request for Proposal (RFP) #759-25-014. The selected vendor will operate a 475-square-foot service area, offering protein shakes, fresh smoothies, healthy coffee/tea drinks, nutritious sandwiches, wraps, and grab-and-go snack options. Operational requirements include specific hours of service: Monday-Thursday 7am-7pm, Friday 7am-6pm, and Saturday 9am-4pm, with additional Saturday availability for large rental groups. The contract term is three years with potential renewal for two additional one-year terms, totaling a maximum of five years. The evaluation process will allocate 100 points across six criteria: menu quality and variety (40 points), vendor experience and qualifications (20 points), operational strategy (10 points), health and safety compliance (10 points), financial viability and pricing (10 points), and references/past performance (10 points). Only Coca-Cola products are permitted for branded beverages. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for July 3, 2025, with final proposals due by July 29, 2025.

The solicitation includes a specific Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan with a 26% HUB vendor participation goal. Vendors must demonstrate commitment to utilizing Texas certified HUB vendors, which includes notifying at least three certified HUB vendors of subcontracting opportunities and providing detailed documentation of their selection process. The contract requires the selected vendor to manage all aspects of food service operations, including staffing, inventory management, daily cleaning, food safety training, and compliance with local, state, and federal health regulations. Vendors must complete comprehensive certifications regarding tax status, antitrust law compliance, business classifications, and various ethical and legal declarations. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the vendor will enter a lease or license agreement with the university, with rental terms to be negotiated based on services and value offered. Additional requirements include compliance with state purchasing regulations, potential technology restrictions, and adherence to equal employment opportunity standards.