Politics & Government
SMART Calls for Proposals for Concession Services Onboard Trains
SMART encourages applicants to showcase Marin and Sonoma county products and brands.
In preparation for the start of rail service, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District has released a Request for Proposals, or RFP, for an experienced vendor to provide and serve quality food and beverages, including coffee, tea, pastries, beer, wine and other food items for passengers on board its new trains.
The request for onboard concession services encourages potential concessionaires to serve local food and beverages that showcase Marin and Sonoma County products and brands whenever possible. In addition to providing high-quality beverage and food products, emphasis will also be placed on providing exceptional customer service — contributing to an overall customer experience of excellence onboard the SMART train.
The location of the proposed concession service is a self-contained, service bar located in each two-car train set. The service bar contains all plumbing, electrical outlets, lighted shelf racks, a sink, storage compartments, a preparation table and service counter. There is also space for a coffee machine and an under-counter refrigerator.
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Because SMART is providing a new transportation service in the North Bay Area and does not have a history of sales, there will be no rent charged for the concession space during the first year. After a period of one year, the concessionaire will enter into a contract to compensate SMART for the use of the space going forward.
Download the RFP, which includes the draft train schedule, photos and a diagram of the service bar, by registering on SMART’s contractor web page.
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Interested vendors and concessionaires should attend the Pre-Proposal Conference at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8 at SMART’s Rail Operations Center, located at 3748 Regional Parkway in Santa Rosa. RSVP to lallan@SonomaMarinTrain.org.
The deadline for submitting proposals is Monday, Oct. 10. For information about SMART visit SonomaMarinTrain.org or call 707-794-3330.
— News release from Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District; Image via SMART Train, Flickr
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