Amendment No. 5 to RFP #250268-0000 by the Smithsonian Institution details revisions and answers questions for food service operations at the National Zoo. Key updates include extending the proposal due date to October 14, 2025, and clarifying corporate oversight requirements. The document addresses numerous vendor questions regarding pricing, current operations (multiple vendors exist), contract timelines (awards Jan-Feb 2026), and desired concepts (open to all ideas). It outlines equipment ownership, POS systems, and internet access responsibilities, largely placing costs on vendors. Catering services are optional, with the Zoo’s Office of Special Events handling event rentals and clients selecting vendors. The Zoo can accommodate 3 events simultaneously and requires all event materials and trash to be removed post-event. Specifics on mobile units, menu flexibility, and financial aspects like utility charge-backs ($24,000/year per location) and attendance data (1.6M in 2024) are provided. All coffee must be Bird Friendly. Vendors are responsible for staffing, background checks, and uniforms. Insurance requirements are strict, including $2M general liability and $2M for alcohol service. This amendment clarifies operational, financial, and logistical expectations for prospective food service contractors.

Amendment No. 6 to RFP No. 250268-0000, issued by the Smithsonian Institution on November 21, 2025, pertains to Food Service Operations at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. This amendment is exclusively for offerors who submitted a proposal by the original deadline of October 14, 2025, and were notified of its receipt. Offerors wishing to revise their proposals must submit them via email to Laura Eichorn (eichornl@si.edu) by 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on December 2, 2025. If no revisions are needed, offerors are courteously requested to confirm this to Ms. Eichorn by the same deadline; otherwise, their original proposal will be evaluated. New proposals are not being accepted.

Amendment No. 1 to Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 250268-0000, issued by the Smithsonian Institution for Food Service Operations at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, has been released. This amendment specifically modifies Appendix B, the Sample Concession Agreement, along with its Appendices D and E, which pertain to Additional Zoo Policies and the Weather Policy. The original Appendix B has been entirely replaced with a revised version dated 2025-08-19. All other terms and conditions of the initial RFP remain unchanged. This amendment ensures that prospective bidders receive the updated terms and conditions for the food service operations contract.

Amendment No. 2 revises the Smithsonian Institution's Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 250268-0000 for Food Service Operations at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Key changes include a scheduled walk-through of facilities on September 3, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm EST. The deadline for questions from offerors is now September 8, 2025, by 12:00 pm EST, and proposals are due by October 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm EST. Food truck concessions have been added to the RFP, with specific provisions; the requirement for a single vendor to operate a minimum of two mobile carts does not apply to food trucks, and a sample Food Truck Concession Agreement (Appendix D) has been included. All other terms and conditions of the original RFP remain unchanged.

Amendment No. 3 to Request for Proposals No. 250268-0000 details an optional site visit for the Food Service Operations at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The visit is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm EST. Attendees should notify Treffaney Lowe at LoweTr@si.edu if they plan to attend, especially if driving, to arrange free parking in Lot A. Participants will meet at the Zoo's visitor center near the main entrance by Connecticut Avenue and will be joined by Treffaney Lowe and Ashlie Baker. The two-hour tour will commence at 11:00 am and will include viewing 'back of house' facilities, with any photography restrictions shared at the start.

The Smithsonian Institution has issued Amendment No. 4 for its Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 250268-0000 concerning Food Service Operations at the National Zoo. This amendment alerts potential proposers to a scam where a third party, specifically "INNOVATIVE IT SOLUTIONS LLC," is falsely soliciting quotations for this RFP. The Smithsonian explicitly states that this third party is not affiliated with them and warns against sending any company information, proprietary data, or proposals to them or any other unauthorized third party. All official correspondence and proposals must be directed solely to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu. Additionally, the Smithsonian is currently reviewing questions received and will soon publish an amendment containing answers and an extension to the proposal due date.

This Concession Agreement outlines the terms for a Contractor to operate food and beverage services at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Key aspects include adherence to high food service standards, comprehensive sustainability practices, and compliance with all health and safety regulations. The agreement details operational responsibilities, facility upgrades, hours, deliveries, and subcontracting. It also specifies personnel requirements, food procurement, pricing, and the non-exclusive nature of the contract. Financial arrangements, including definitions of gross receipts, concession fees, and reporting requirements, are thoroughly described. The document emphasizes rigorous accounting, auditing, and adherence to Smithsonian policies, ensuring a high-quality visitor experience and efficient operation for the three-year term with potential extensions.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park (the Zoo) is seeking a concessionaire to provide food truck services for a three-year term, with potential extensions. The agreement outlines strict vendor duties, including compliance with all laws, obtaining necessary licenses, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring personnel are ServSafe® certified. Vendors must carry extensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability, property damage, business interruption, workers' compensation, criminal liability, and auto insurance, with the Smithsonian listed as an additional insured. The agreement also details indemnification clauses, prohibitions on certain products (e.g., raw sprouts, unpasteurized milk, single-use plastic bottles), and requirements for food safety, quality assurance, and credit card payment security. Vendors must also adhere to confidentiality, privacy, data security, background check, and ethical conduct requirements. Compensation to the Smithsonian is 30% of net sales, paid weekly. The Smithsonian reserves the right to terminate the agreement for various reasons, including default, convenience, danger to health/safety, underreporting sales, unauthorized products, fraud, or criminal conduct. Vendors must comply with Zoo-specific policies, including operating hours, event participation, delivery schedules, parking restrictions, and a dress code. The agreement also includes provisions for dispute resolution, civility, and restrictions against vendors owned or controlled by U.S. Government Countries of Concern.

This Concession Agreement outlines the terms between the Smithsonian Institution (National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute) and a selected contractor for food and beverage services at the Zoo. The agreement details the contractor's responsibilities for operating restaurants, cafes, and mobile carts, emphasizing high standards of performance, sanitation, and customer service. Key provisions include adherence to health and safety regulations, implementation of a comprehensive sustainability plan (e.g., waste diversion, compostable serving ware, Bird Friendly® coffee), and compliance with specific operational requirements such as hours, deliveries, and signage. The contractor is responsible for maintenance, equipment, and personnel management, including staff training and adherence to professional conduct. Financial arrangements cover concession and catering fees, reporting requirements, and accounting practices. The agreement is non-exclusive, allowing the Smithsonian to contract with other food service providers. It also details terms for potential catering services, facility upgrades, and compliance with various policies and regulations.

This document outlines a vending agreement between the Smithsonian Institution (on behalf of the National Zoological Park) and a selected company for food vending concession services. The agreement details the scope of services, including installation, maintenance, and operation of vending machines, excluding non-public, non-food, and retail shop vending. Key provisions cover access to Zoo facilities, term of agreement (two years with potential extensions), equipment requirements (company-owned and maintained), operational standards (including product variety, pricing, and hours), staffing, marketing, and capital investment. Financial terms include a monthly percentage fee of gross sales. The document also addresses accounting, cleaning, safety, security, privacy, authorized representatives, permits, licenses, taxes, warranties, indemnification, and insurance requirements. Termination clauses cover breaches, harm to Smithsonian, mutual consent, and bankruptcy, with specific sections surviving expiration or termination. The Smithsonian retains significant approval rights over various aspects of the vending operation, emphasizing compliance with its standards and policies.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is soliciting proposals for managing and operating food and beverage services. This Request for Proposals (RFP) covers three restaurants, two cafés, a minimum of seven mobile food carts, food vending machines, and catering services across its Washington D.C. campus. The Zoo seeks innovative concepts that enhance visitor experience, prioritize fresh, local, and diverse food options (including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free), and commit to sustainability, including eliminating single-use plastic bottles and supporting composting. Proposals must demonstrate experience in high-volume food delivery, profitable operations, strong management, and a commitment to superior customer service and facility maintenance. The contract term is an initial three years with two two-year extension options. Important deadlines include August 29, 2025, for questions and September 26, 2025, for proposal submissions. The Smithsonian reserves the right to award contracts to one or more offerors.