Zoo Foodservice, Retail Merchandise & Admissions / Ticketing Operations
Open State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- RFP2026-046
- State
- Texas
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- NIGP codes
- UNSPSC codes
- 80000000 Management and Business Professionals and Administrative Services
- 80101500 Business and corporate management consultation services
- 80101604 Project administration or planning
- 80101705 Co operative or consortium services
- 80160000 Business administration services
- 80141626 Promotional program management service
- 80141620 In dealership strategic initiatives support
- 80141628 Commissioned distributor service
- 90101604 Construction or work site catering services
- 90101603 Catering services
Show all 19
- 80141624 Recognition program management service
- 80141625 Incentive program management service
- 80141629 Rebate management service
- 93151501 Public enterprises management or financial services
- 93151515 National planning services
- 90101600 Banquet and catering services
- 90101605 Food service for transportation operators
- 91111802 Check room concessions
- 90101602 Party tent services
- Point of contact
-
- Christopher Hanchard christopherh@wacotx.gov (254) 750-6640
Opportunity details come from txsmartbuy.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The City of Waco, Texas is requesting proposals for foodservice, retail merchandise, and admissions/ticketing operations at Cameron Park Zoo under RFP 2026-046, with proposals due November 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CT. Bidders must demonstrate current experience managing foodservice, retail, and admissions in accredited zoos; minimum annual foodservice revenue of $1 million; minimum annual retail merchandise revenue of $1 million; and minimum annual ticketing/admissions management of $5 million in similar attractions.
The scope includes permanent foodservice locations (Treetops Cafe and entrance cafe), catering services, retail merchandise operations (Zootique gift shop and satellite location), and ticketing/admissions systems. The Zoo operates Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with 2025 attendance of 370,000 and projected growth to 425,000 by fiscal year 2030.
The contract term is ten years with an option to renew for five one-year terms. Recent fiscal year revenues: foodservice $448,066 (2025), retail merchandise $774,367 (2025), and general admission $3,000,867 (2025). Proposers must quote commission as a percentage of gross sales by functional category (foodservice, catering, retail merchandise, and ticketing). The awardee must obtain all applicable permits and licenses and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including $1 million general liability per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Evaluation criteria totaling 100 points cover operational concepts and innovation (11 points), proposed commission percentage (11 points), guest and member services understanding (11 points), experience with similar attractions (11 points), financial and personnel resources (11 points), proposed investment (11 points), willingness to retain existing City employees (11 points), contract compliance (11 points), and proposal quality (12 points). A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled on-site October 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with a virtual option October 15, 2026. Questions are due October 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Proposal opening occurs November 6, 2026 at 2:01 p.m. CT, with final selection anticipated by December 15, 2026.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| ESBD_566675_1791558133380_RFP 2026-046 Proposal Package.pdf |
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