About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Duluth Transit Authority seeks qualified firms to install, service, and maintain food and beverage vending machines at DTA facilities in Duluth, Minnesota. Contractors must maintain high standards of quality, sanitation, and cleanliness, keep machines adequately stocked with food products and non-alcoholic beverages, and comply with all applicable food service regulations under a three-year contract. Eligibility is restricted to onshore USA organizations, and the work must be performed onsite. Interested vendors must attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting on November 16, 2026, and submit all proposal documentation electronically in PDF format no later than 12:00 p.m. on November 25, 2026.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Duluth Transit Authority
- Solicitation No.
- 2026.11.04
Scope of work
- Install, service, and maintain food and beverage vending machines at two DTA facilities
- Supply brand name food products, non-alcoholic beverages, and other articles
- Keep full-service machines adequately stocked and operational with minimal down time
- Provide a preventative maintenance program and prompt repair response
- Promptly remove and properly dispose of all expired or dated perishable food
- Supply plastic feet guards or mechanisms to protect floors
- Manage all monies, product volume accounting, and pay monthly or quarterly commissions to DTA
- Establish a refund handling procedure and post contact details for inquiries and maintenance
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Reasonableness of the Financial Proposal, including commission schedule or compensation methodology | Not specified |
| Experience and proven ability of the Proposer, its staff, and identified subcontractors to provide verifiable customer service | Not specified |
| Types and condition of vending equipment proposed and stocking and maintenance schedule | Not specified |
| Clarity and completeness of the proposal | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Licensed, bonded, and insured
- Demonstrate at least three (3) years of successful experience in Vending Services in the past five (5) years
- Must not be debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, voluntarily excluded, or disqualified from federally assisted awards
Documents to include with your response
- Completed and signed Section 4, Formal Proposal Sheet and Statements
- Completed and signed Section 5, Certifications
- List of products to be offered and retail price list
- Description of commission schedule or proposed compensation methodology
- Description of equipment to be installed, age, and condition
- Preventative maintenance program and product stocking schedule
- Example report from product volume accounting system
- DBE Certification(s) (if applicable)
- Small or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise / Veteran-Owned Business documentation (if applicable)
- Disclosure of all Subcontractors and their involvement
Key dates
- Date of Release
- November 4, 2026
- Preproposal Tour/Meeting
- November 16, 2026 1:00 p.m.
- Request for Clarifications
- November 18, 2026 12:00 p.m.
- Response to Clarifications
- By November 20, 2026
- Bids Due
- November 25, 2026 12:00 p.m.
- Award
- As early as December 9, 2026
- Contract start
- January 1, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit all required documents in PDF format to [email protected] using subject line 'Vending Services Contract RFP – RFB#2026.11.04'.
Contract details
- Term
- Three (3) years commencing on January 1, 2027
- Place of performance
- DTA Operations Center (2402 West Michigan Street) and Duluth Transportation Center (228 West Michigan Street), Duluth, MN
- Insurance and bonding
- Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability Insurance with limits not less than $1,500,000 per occurrence and aggregate under an umbrella policy approved by DTA. DTA and ATE Management of Duluth SBC must be named as additional insured.
- Funding
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) / U.S. DOT