THE STATE’S GOAL IS TO CONTRACT WITH A QUALIFIED PROPOSER THAT : HAS THE ABILITY TO HAVE THE CONCESSION OPERATIONAL WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS FROM CONTRACT AWARD. HAVE THREE (3) OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OPERATING SEASONAL CONCESSIONS AT NATIONAL, STATE, OR LOCAL PARKS. THIS EXPERIENCE IS PREFERRED, HOWEVER, PROPOSERS WITH THREE (3) OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SEASONAL OR OTHER SHORT-TERM CONCESSIONS AT PRIVATE VENUES (SUCH AS SPORT ARENAS, CONCERT HALLS) WILL BE CONSIDERED. PROPOSERS WITH FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS THE PROPRIETOR OR MANAGER OF A YEAR-ROUND RESTAURANT WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED, BUT SUCH EXPERIENCE WILL NOT BE RANKED AS HIGHLY AS EXPERIENCE WITH OPERATING SEASONAL CONCESSIONS IN PUBLIC PARKS. PROPOSERS THAT ONLY HAVE EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE WITH YEAR-ROUND RESTAURANTS (I.E., SERVERS, BARTENDERS, COOKS, ETC.) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS FOOD SERVICE EXPERIENCE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS RFP. IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO ALL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO OPERATE THE CONCESSION UPON CONTRACT AWARD. POSSESS A VALID FOOD SERVICE LICENSE, PREFERABLY FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR EACH LOCATION, BUT A VALID LICENSE FROM ANY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR DISTRICT IN CONNECTICUT WILL SUFFICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL. BEFORE OPENING THE CONCESSION, THE SUCCESSFUL PROPOSER(S) MUST OBTAIN A FOOD SERVICE LICENSE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS FOR EACH LOCATION. PROVIDE A VARIETY OF FRESHLY PREPARED FOODS, GRILLED ITEMS, AND SNACKS FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC. ‘JUNK FOOD’ IS NOT PROHIBITED, BUT A MENU THAT OFFERS SOME HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES IS ENCOURAGED. PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE 2 FOOD CONCESSION BUILDINGS, HOWEVER, THE STATE WILL CONSIDER PROPOSALS THAT INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF ONE OF THE FOOD CONCESSION BUILDINGS.
