Active SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · VTA PURCHASING
AI Summary
VTA seeks qualified firms to operate a full-service caf at its San Jose headquarters. The contract includes food service operations, staffing, compliance, and revenue sharing. Proposals are due by August 28, 2026, with evaluation based on firm qualifications, staffing, business plan, revenue proposal, and local firm preference.
VTA seeks proposals (each a "Proposal") from responsible qualified firms (each a "Proposer”) interested in providing food service. Proposers are required to submit proposals to operate a full-service café within the VTA New Administrative Headquarters building located at 488 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA. The goal is to provide high-quality food and beverage options for building tenants and the public. The selected proposer, referred to as “Contractor”, will assess VTA’s current and future food-related needs and implement strategies to meet those needs.
The Café at 488 S. Almaden Blvd. will serve VTA staff, future tenants and members of the public. The Café was renovated in 2022 and has a fully equipped kitchen and modern seating area. Contract will provide Café in “As-Is” condition and it will be the sole responsibility of Proposer to investigate and determine the condition of the Café, including but not limited to, existing and planned utility connections. VTA reserves right to utilize Café seating area as extension of public meeting room outside of Café operating hours.
Qualification of Firm - up to 35 Points for Qualifications
The Proposer shall demonstrate that it has successfully operated and/or managed a food service business for a minimum of two (2) years within the last five (5) years. As part of its proposal, the Proposer shall provide: A description of its relevant experience operating comparable food service establishments; Examples of similar food service projects completed within the last five (5) years, including the client name, location, dates of service, description of services provided, and a client reference; and a description of the firm's experience in business operations, customer service, staffing, and employee training or mentorship, as applicable.
Qualifications will be evaluated based on the relevance and extent of the Proposer's experience, demonstrated success operating similar food service establishments, quality of past performance, and the completeness of the information provided.
The Proposer shall provide information demonstrating its financial capacity to successfully perform the Contract, including any information requested in the Proposal Forms. VTA may review the Proposer's financial performance on similar projects and reserves the right to request additional financial information, including financial statements or a credit report, to verify the Proposer's financial capability.
Staffing and Project Organization - Up to 10 points for Staffing and Project Organization
The Proposer will be scored based on the qualifications and experience of the proposed project manager and personnel assigned to the Café operations. Evaluation factors may include, but are not limited to: Relevant experience managing or operating cafés, restaurants, or similar food service establishments; Experience overseeing comparable food service projects, including operations within public facilities, transportation centers, airports, universities, or other high-traffic environments; Demonstrated experience in food service management, customer service, staffing, and operational oversight; Professional licenses, certifications, or food safety credentials applicable to the proposed operation (e.g., Food Manager Certification), where appropriate; The qualifications, roles, and level of involvement of key personnel assigned to the project; and The Proposer's demonstrated record of successfully operating similar food service establishments, including references and past performance.
Business Plan / Project Understanding - Up to 10 points for Business Plan and Project Understanding
VTA will evaluate how Proposer’s business plan addresses the following requirements:
Revenue Proposal - Up to 35 points for Revenue Proposal
Proposer shall submit a completed (Form 1B), Revenue Proposal Form, proposing the percentage of annual gross sales above the annual gross sales threshold of thirteen thousand two hundred dollars ($13,200) that will be paid to VTA. The Required Minimum Annual Rent is twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) per contract year, payable in equal monthly installments. In addition to the Required Minimum Annual Rent, the successful Proposer shall pay VTA the proposed percentage of all annual gross sales generated from operations at the Premises that exceed $13,200. Proposals will be evaluated based on the proposed revenue share percentage.
Local Firm Preference - Up to 10 points for Local Firm Preference
In accordance with VTA Administrative Code, Section 9-11, Preference for Local Firms, 10 points will be awarded to a Proposal if at least fifty percent (50%) of the dollar value of services to be rendered under that Proposal will be performed by a local firm. An additional point will be awarded for each additional ten percent (10%) of the dollar value of services to be performed by a local firm, to a maximum point award of ten percent of total evaluation points.
Local firms are those that currently have their main office or a branch office with meaningful production capability located within Santa Clara County, or those firms who, upon award of the contract by VTA, will establish such a local office. This preference shall not apply when prohibited by law or regulation, or whenever its application will disqualify VTA from receiving federal funds.
At the time of its Proposal submission and at VTA's request following Proposal submission, including upon or prior to Notice of Recommended Award, the Proposer must provide to VTA evidence reasonably acceptable to VTA that the local firm meets the requirements.
Refer to Section 4.2 Proposal Submittals and Forms of the RFP for details on response requirements that are to be submitted in this response section, and upload your COMPLETE Proposal here. Upload cost proposal separately in the next step.
Submit the following forms as part of your Proposal:
PROPOSAL FORM 1A. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND PROPOSER GENERAL INFORMATION
PROPOSAL FORM 3: DESIGNATION OF SUBCONTRACTORS
PROPOSAL FORM 4: LISTING OF SBE PROPOSER OR SUBCONTRACTORS
PROPOSAL FORM 5: LITIGATION DISCLOSURE
PROPOSAL FORM 6: GENERAL CERTIFICATIONS
PROPOSAL FORM 7: NON-COLLUSION DECLARATION
PROPOSAL FORM 8: REFERENCES
PROPOSAL FORM 9: KEY PERSONNEL STATEMENT OF AVAILABILITY
PROPOSAL FORM 10: DESIGNATION OF PROPOSER'S REPRESENTATIVE
PROPOSAL FORM 11: LOCAL FIRM CERTIFICATION
PROPOSAL FORM 18: LEVINE ACT STATEMENT
Proposers shall submit a Revenue Proposal for the services requested in this RFP. Please download Proposal Form.
Submit the following forms:
PROPOSAL FORM 1B. REVENUE PROPOSAL
Confirm that your fee proposal is not attached in your Proposal (on the previous step) and is submitted separately here.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified cashier’s check, or bid bond, in the amount of 10% of the total bid price, payable toSanta Clara Valley Transportation Authority, as a guarantee that the bidder, if its bid is accepted, will promptly execute the Agreement. The bidder shall guarantee the total bid price for a period of 60 days from the date of the bid opening.
Please scan and upload a copy of your bid bond/cashier's check. Bidder must also MAIL bid guarantee with a postmarked date no later thanFriday, August 28, 2026 addressed to:
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Gina Cole
3331 North First Street
San Jose,CA95134
Please have the Bidder Name, Contract Title ("488 Full Service Cafe VTA Headquarters"), and Contract Number ("S25305") listed clearly on the outside of the envelope.
The contract shall be executed by the successful bidder and shall be returned, together with the Payment Bond, Performance Bond and Certificate(s) of Insurance to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority so that it is received within 14 working daysafter the bidder has received the contract for execution. Failure to do so shall be just cause for forfeiture of the proposal guaranty.
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SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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