Food Services

Florida Atlantic University, located in Palm Beach County, is soliciting proposals through a management services agreement to operate comprehensive campus dining, catering, and athletics concession operations across its Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses, with potential expansion to additional locations. The scope of services includes residential board meal plans, retail food operations, catering services, and athletics concessions designed to enhance student quality of life while supporting the educational mission and community engagement. The successful contractor must demonstrate an established record of providing high-quality, innovative dining services in the higher education market, possess substantial financial resources to invest in the program, and maintain sufficient staffing capacity to manage daily operations plus increased demands for game days and large university events. Key evaluation criteria include the contractor's experience in higher education food service management, financial stability, staffing capabilities, and capacity for program innovation. The proposal submission deadline is April 17, 2026, with the posting date of March 16, 2026. Interested parties should review the complete Invitation to Negotiate documentation available on the FAU Bonifire Hub portal at https://fau.bonfirehub.com for detailed specifications, submission requirements, and evaluation metrics.

The procurement does not appear to contain specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises based on the information provided, though potential bidders should verify this requirement through the complete solicitation documents. No incumbent vendor information or existing contractor details are disclosed in the available materials. The University is prepared to award a contract with an initial seven-year term plus two renewal options (seven years and six years respectively), representing a potential total commitment of up to twenty years, though specific contract values or budget ranges are not disclosed in this summary. Bidders should note that while the selected vendor will serve a key role in catering at the Eleanor R. Baldwin House (the president's residence and event center), this operation is explicitly excluded from the exclusivity requirements, allowing the University to maintain alternative catering arrangements for this specific location. Prospective vendors are encouraged to contact the University through the Bonifire Hub platform for additional details regarding budget parameters and financial expectations for the program.