RFP Alcoholic Beverage Concessionaire for Festivals and Special Events

The City of Richardson is soliciting proposals for operation and management of alcoholic beverage concession services at designated municipal festivals and special events under a revenue-sharing agreement (RFP 701-27), with proposals due November 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time and a pre-proposal conference on October 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom.

The Concessionaire assumes full responsibility for staffing, permitting, licensing, inventory management, equipment procurement, point-of-sale operations, and regulatory compliance across four primary events: Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival (30,000 annual attendees, third weekend in May), Cottonwood Art Festival (30,000 attendees each in May and October), July 4th Family Festival (5,000 attendees), and Huffhines Harvest Fest (5,000 attendees, third weekend in October). Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience operating alcoholic beverage concessions at festivals or large-scale public events, provide three to five municipal references, maintain $4 million in liquor liability insurance, and submit current Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) certification documentation for all staff.

The financial proposal requires the Concessionaire to offer a commission percentage based on total sales at each festival, detail additional fees for staffing and service of donated alcoholic products, specify any guaranteed minimums, and outline other financial considerations. This is a revenue-generating agreement where compensation flows from the Concessionaire to the City; no City funding amount is specified.

Evaluation criteria total 100 points: Proposed Commission Payable to City (25 points), Qualifications and Experience (40 points), and Equipment and Operational Support Requirements (35 points). The initial contract term is one year from the award date, with City options to extend for four additional one-year periods. Either party may terminate with sixty days' written notice; the City may terminate without liability within the first six months for unsatisfactory performance. Proposals are submitted electronically through Bonfire Hub or by hand delivery to the City of Richardson Purchasing Division.