RFP FOR FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOO

Amendment No. 7: Notifies offerors that Smithsonian does not anticipate making an award until summer or fall 2026.

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Amendment No. 6: Smithsonian is offering an opportunity to offerors who submitted a proposal by the original deadline of 12:00 pm EST October 14, 2025, to ensure that they submitted their final, comple proposal, including any attachments.  Any revised proposals are due by 12:00 pm Eastern time, December 2, 2025.

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Amendment No. 5: Revises proposal due date; Revisions to RFP; Questions and Answers 

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Amendment No. 4: ALERT: Do not respond to third parties regarding this RFP.  Direct responses to the Smithsonian Institution ONLY. Update on Q&A and proposal due date.

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Amendment No. 3 provides details on the site visit taking place on September 3 from 11 am - 1 pm EST.

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Amendment No. 2 adds a walk through of existing facilities on September 3, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST. 

Due date for questions changed to 12:00 pm EST on September 8, 2025. 

Due date for proposals changed to 12:00 pm EST on October 6, 2025.

Adds food truck concessions to RFP and Appendix D (Sample Food Truck Concession Agreement).

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Amendment No. 1: amends Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, and its Appendices D and E, Additional Zoo Policies and Weather Policy.

Appendix B to the RFP, Sample Concession Agreement, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Appendix B to the RFP attached hereto.
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Sent on behalf of the Smithsonian Contracting Official:

The Smithsonian National Zoo seeks proposals for the management and operation of food and beverage services across multiple locations within the Rock Creek campus in Washington, D.C. This includes three restaurant spaces, two cafés, mobile food carts, food vending machines and catering. 

If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on this project, please review the attached RFP documents and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions.  This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.

DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

To be considered, you must submit your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu by no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 26, 2025.  Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.  

If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Laura Eichorn at eichornl@si.edu.  Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 29, 2025 to ensure a response.  Thank you for your interest.

Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute