Operations & food and beverage services

The City of Bismarck, North Dakota, located in Burleigh County, is seeking a qualified management company to operate the Bismarck Event Center (BEC) through a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) for Operations and Food and Beverage Services. The procurement aims to transition the multi-venue facility to a third-party management model, with the city maintaining ownership while seeking an operator to manage day-to-day operations of the arena, exhibit hall, and Belle Mehus Auditorium. The current facility hosts approximately 333 events annually with over 371,000 attendees and requires a management company capable of comprehensive facility management, event booking, marketing, food and beverage services, customer relations, maintenance, financial management, and staff development. The RFP was released on September 11, 2025, with proposals due on November 4, 2025, and a mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference scheduled for September 18, 2025. The contract term is expected to be three to five years, with the first full year of operations beginning April 1, 2026, and a transition period starting February 3, 2026. Key evaluation criteria will include the ability to implement operational changes, meet established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and submit detailed financial projections and operational plans aligned with the city's strategic objectives.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations, allowing for both individual contractors and joint venture teams. Respondents can include a combination of contractors focused on operations and food and beverage, with one contractor designated as the prime contractor and others potentially sub-contracting. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the procurement stems from a comprehensive review by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) recommending optimization of space usage and revenue generation. The selected operator will be overseen by a newly formed BEC Authority Board and will be expected to develop a five-year pro forma operating budget, propose a management fee structure, and recommend capital improvements. Although specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documentation, the city expects the financial proposal to demonstrate potential for increased revenue generation and enhanced regional positioning of the facility. The ultimate goal is to select a management company that can transform the Bismarck Event Center into a premier regional destination through strategic operational and financial management.