M3L6E1 Food Hall

The City and County of Denver's Department of Aviation is seeking qualified individuals or entities to develop, construct, and manage a Food Hall concession located in the Great Hall on Mod 3 Level 6 East at Denver International Airport (DEN). The procurement opportunity is for a pre-security food service space spanning approximately 5,812 square feet, which will comprise three quick service restaurant (QSR) concepts with at least two of three cuisine types (American, Asian, or Mexican) represented. The RFP requires a minimum capital investment of $1,561 per square foot and mandates that at least one concept operate 24/7, with a diverse menu including vegetarian options, local agricultural products, and child-friendly items. The contract term is 12 years, with a required opening date in December 2027, and a financial structure that includes a Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG) with the first year waived if the concession opens by the specified date. Key proposal dates include an optional pre-proposal conference on September 5, 2025, optional guided tours on September 11, 2025, and a proposal submission deadline of November 17, 2025. Evaluation will likely focus on the proposer's financial stability, operational plan, menu diversity, and ability to meet the airport's Vision 100 strategy and sustainability goals.

The procurement has specific set-aside designations and enterprise participation requirements, including an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation goal of 31.3% and a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) design goal of 15%. Proposers must provide detailed financial documentation, including three years of financial statements, pro forma income projections, and comprehensive business plans explaining their financial assumptions. The airport anticipates reaching 100 million annual passengers by 2028 and is seeking innovative concepts that can adapt to growing passenger volumes. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the financial template suggests potential annual gross revenues that would generate percentage-based fees for the airport, with a 1% Joint Marketing Fund assessment on annual gross revenues. The concession opportunity is part of DEN's Great Hall Completion Phase, which involves significant infrastructure development and is designed to enhance the passenger experience through strategically located and diverse food service options.