Food Services

The Florida Department of Management Services is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit industry input from qualified food service management and concessionaire vendors on meeting the state's food services needs, with responses due August 28, 2026 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern. This is an RFI for planning and budgetary purposes only, not a solicitation for offers; responding vendors are not prohibited from bidding on any subsequent related solicitation.

The scope covers food services at two separate Tallahassee facilities: the Capitol Building (6,763 square feet lower-level full-service cafeteria plus 2,693 square feet tenth-floor cafe/snack bar) and the Department of Revenue Building 2 (1,520 square feet cafe/snack bar). All locations operate Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Vendors must provide high-quality, affordable breakfast and lunch options; nutritious snacks including fresh fruits and vegetables; outstanding customer service; and flexibility for improvements. The Department will supply major equipment including fryers, charbroilers, steamers, ice machines, slicers, ranges, refrigeration units, and merchandisers. Vendors must hold current Florida food service licensing and pass health inspections. Menu offerings must include vegetarian, heart-healthy, fresh-from-Florida, and gluten-free options with no alcoholic beverages.

The incumbent contractor is Simply Soul Food Inc. The current contract provides for annual price adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index for Food and Beverages (85 percent weighting) and the Employment Cost Index for Service Occupations (15 percent weighting). The existing contract term is five years with renewal options for up to five additional years contingent on satisfactory performance.

Responses must include company information, product and services summaries, sample menus, references from other public entities, available equipment lists, general pricing structures with cost methodology, recent health inspection reports, and staff training policies. Vendor questions are due by August 6, 2026, with answers posted by August 14. Presentations may be required at a date to be determined. All submitted materials are subject to the Florida Public Records Act; vendors may designate portions as confidential or proprietary.