BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2003
AGENDA NO. 13

Issue RFP for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Cafeteria

SYNOPSIS:

The contract with Food Systems, Inc. for the management and operation of AQMD’s Diamond Bar cafeteria expires December 31, 2003. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit bids from interested parties in order to secure a new three-year contract for this service.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, March 14, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the release of RFP #P2003-25 for cafeteria management services.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

AQMD contracts with a cafeteria management firm to provide quality food service at a reasonable price to meet agency needs. Cafeteria services are used by employees, those doing business or attending meetings at AQMD, staff of tenant agencies, those who work in the Gateway Business Park, and members of the public. Additionally, the firm operating the cafeteria provides catering services for AQMD meetings and other events.

The current three-year contract with Food Systems, Inc. expires December 31, 2003.

Proposal

This action is to authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from food service management firms interested in contracting with AQMD to operate the cafeteria for a three-year period beginning January 1, 2004.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD's consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be placed in the following publications:
 

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	Korea Central Daily	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Opinion	20.	Press Enterprise
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	La Prensa Hispana	21.	Rafu Shimpo
4.	Desert Sun	13.	La Voz Publications	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	Eastern Group Publications	14.	Los Angeles Daily News	23.	State of California Contracts
6.	El Chicano	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel		Register
7.	El Informador	16.	Los Angeles Times	24.	The Excelsior
8.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	17.	Orange County Register	25.	The Signal
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	18.	Philippine News	26.	Wave Community Newspapers

Additionally, potential bidders will be notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Website [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel in accordance with the criteria described in the attached RFP.

Resources

AQMD currently provides about $93,000 annually in support of cafeteria operations, including providing the building and equipment and paying such costs as utilities, maintenance, telephone, and security and janitorial services. No additional costs relating to this contract beyond those mentioned above are anticipated to be included in each fiscal year budget.

Attachment

RFP #P2003-25

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