Request for Proposals Automated Concessions 2026

Sacramento County Department of Airports is requesting proposals from qualified automated concession operators to install, operate, and maintain vending machines at Sacramento International Airport and Sacramento Executive Airport, with proposals due October 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PST and an optional pre-proposal conference on September 21, 2026. The Department has established a 50% small business goal for participation and welcomes proposals from Small Business Association–certified small businesses.

The scope includes approximately 56 vending machines across multiple locations: Package 1 comprises 20 machines in employee-only areas at SMF across nine locations; public-facing locations include approximately 36 machines across ten locations at both airports, with two machines at SAC. Operators must install and complete all equipment within three months of the effective date, operate machines 24 hours daily throughout the agreement term, maintain all equipment in first-class condition in compliance with ADA standards, obtain all necessary licenses and permits, comply with FAA requirements and 49 CFR Part 23 regarding Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation, and accept major credit cards. Pricing must remain within five percent of similar Sacramento area facilities. Proposers must demonstrate at least one year of continuous automated concession ownership, management, or operational experience within the past two years and be registered with the California Secretary of State.

The contract term is up to five years. Selected operators will pay percentage rent ranging from approximately 10% to 32% of gross monthly revenue depending on location and concept. Operators bear all installation, stocking, maintenance, and management costs. A security deposit of $1,000 is required, and onsite SMF employees must obtain Airport ID badges at $42.00 annually. General liability insurance must carry a $2,000,000 general aggregate limit and $1,000,000 each-occurrence limit; automobile liability must be $1,000,000 for landside and $5,000,000 for airside vehicles.

The selection committee will evaluate proposals using weighted criteria: Minimum Qualifications (1 point), Proposer Evaluation including experience and financial capability (40 points), and Concept Evaluation covering concept quality, customer service, operations management, and financial offer (60 points). Questions are due October 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PST. Finalist interviews are anticipated the week of November 16, 2026, with Board recommendation expected February 1, 2027. Historical SMF automated concession sales totaled $1,325,222 in 2022 and $1,438,765 in 2025, with projected enplanement growth of 2.7 to 2.9 percent annually through 2030.