Temporary Food Operation at Iowa Memorial Union
| Location: | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Feb 19, 2026 |
| Due: | Mar 3, 2026 |
| Agency: | Iowa State University |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 18563 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Bid Information
| Type | Request for Qualifications - Sealed |
| Status | Issued |
| Number | 18563 (Temporary Food Operation at Iowa Memorial Union) |
| Issue Date & Time | 2/19/2026 11:00:00 AM (CT) |
| Close Date & Time | 3/3/2026 03:00:00 PM (CT) |
| Question Cut Off Date | 2/24/2026 03:00:00 PM (CT) |
| Notes |
The University of Iowa (hereafter, The University/University) located in Iowa City, Iowa, desires to obtain written proposals from qualified and licenses food service Suppliers to provide temporary food service retail operations at the Iowa Memorial Union.
Please be aware that this bid has a quick turnaround. All Suppliers are cautioned to allow ample time for the submittal of RFQL responses well before the due date time requirement. Bids must be submitted via the eBid system.
|
| Name | Andy Lane |
| Address |
202 PCO
Iowa City, IA 52242-2500 USA |
| Phone | (319) 335-1207 |
| Fax | |
| andy-lane@uiowa.edu |
Bid Documents
| Document name | Format | ||
|
|||
|
Bid Invitation
|
Acrobat / PDF | BINVAVL | 9126913 |
Bid Attachments
| File Name | Description | File Size | ||
|
||||
|
Professional Services Agreement with Travel Addendum 2025.09.11 FINAL.docx
|
Professional Services Agreement with Travel Addendum 2025 September 11 | 59 KB | 339779 | 6942247 |
|
Standard Terms and Conditions 2025.09.11 FINAL.pdf
|
University of Iowa Standard Terms and Conditions 2025 September 11 | 212 KB | 339779 | 6942253 |
Attachment Preview
18563
Temporary Food Operation at Iowa Memorial Union
Issue Date: 2/19/2026
Questions Deadline: 2/24/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
Response Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
Contact Information
Contact: Andy Lane
Address: Purchasing
PCO
202
202 PCO
Iowa City, IA 52242-2500
Phone: (319) 335-1207
Email: andy-lane@uiowa.edu
Page 1 of 14 pages
Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
18563
Event Information
Number:
18563
Title:
Temporary Food Operation at Iowa Memorial Union
Type:
Request for Qualifications - Sealed
Issue Date:
2/19/2026
Question Deadline: 2/24/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
Response Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
Notes:
The University of Iowa (hereafter, The University/University) located in Iowa City,
Iowa, desires to obtain written proposals from qualified and licenses food service
Suppliers to provide temporary food service retail operations at the Iowa Memorial
Union.
Please be aware that this bid has a quick turnaround. All Suppliers are
cautioned to allow ample time for the submittal of RFQL responses well
before the due date time requirement. Bids must be submitted via the eBid
system.
Billing Information
Contact: AP
Address: AP
PCO
202
202 PCO
Iowa City, IA 52242-2500
Phone: (319) 335-0115
Fax: (319) 335-2443
Bid Attachments
Professional Services Agreement with Travel Addendum 2025.09.11 FINAL.docx
Professional Services Agreement with Travel Addendum 2025 September 11
Standard Terms and Conditions 2025.09.11 FINAL.pdf
University of Iowa Standard Terms and Conditions 2025 September 11
Requested Attachments
Proposal
(Attachment required)
Supplier must provide a detailed proposal as described in Attribute #8.
Audited Financial Statements
(Attachment required)
Supplier must provide audited financial statements as requested in Attribute #17.
Download
Download
Page 2 of 14 pages
Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
18563
Bid Attributes
1 Request for Qualifications
RFQL responses MUST be submitted electronically through the eBid system. RFQL responses submitted by any
other means will not be accepted.
Read & Acknowledged
(Required: Check if applicable)
2 General
The University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa (hereafter, “University”) desires to obtain written proposals from
qualified suppliers to provide a temporary food service location at the Iowa Memorial Union in a timely, accurate and
professional manner. The objective of requesting proposals is to acquire services of a reputable and proven
supplier with a demonstrated ability to provide food services.
Although the University has listed general criteria that will be used in its final evaluation, the University does not
intend these criteria to limit the Supplier's creativity in preparing a proposal it believes will accomplish the
University's goals. The use of specific supplier will be based on the Supplier's performance.
The required documentation of expertise and qualifications outlined in this request is intended to serve primarily as
a general guide for each statement of qualifications, with the minimum requirements listed. Each Supplier is
expected to submit a fully detailed statement of qualifications, which adequately describes the advantages and
benefits the University would realize by selecting the Supplier.
The University may at its option, require oral presentations if deemed necessary, in considering the University's best
interest.
Interested Suppliers are invited to submit qualifications for the Supplier and the individual qualifications of the
Supplier’s representative(s) designated as key personnel to be assigned to the University if selected, as described
in the RFQL.
Read and Acknowledged
(Required: Check if applicable)
Page 3 of 14 pages
Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
18563
3 Background
The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a broad-based public university of international stature. As of fall 2025, its enrollment
totaled 31,563 students. It is recognized for its academic achievement; leadership in research; and its academic
health system, University of Iowa Health Care. As of Fiscal Year 2026, the University has an overall budget of $6.3
billion and employs approximately 20,150 full-time faculty and staff. More information can be found at the Office of
the Registrar.
The University of Iowa Health Care
University of Iowa Heath Care is Iowa’s comprehensive academic health system, which includes the Roy J. and
Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the UI Health Care clinical enterprise, and UI Physicians, the multispecialty
medical and surgical group practice. The clinical enterprise includes medical centers on the university campus,
downtown Iowa City campus, and North Liberty campus in the neighboring community of North Liberty, Iowa. UI
Health Care also has outpatient clinic locations in the Iowa City area and communities throughout the state. The
downtown campus, formerly Mercy Iowa City Hospital, joined UI Health Care in January 2024. The North Liberty
campus, the first construction of a new hospital away from the university campus, opened in April 2025. At its
medical centers and clinics, UI Health Care provides adult and pediatric primary and specialty care to patients and
families from across Iowa, throughout the nation, and around the world. Its clinical enterprise is comprised of more
than 1,200 staff physicians and dentists, nearly 875 resident and fellow physicians, and over 6,000 nursing team
members. Collectively, the three medical center campus locations include more than 1,000 inpatient beds. For fiscal
year 2024, UI Health Care reported more than 34,000 inpatient admissions and over 1.3 million clinic visits at its
medical centers and clinics. UI Health Care is ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report as the state’s top
medical center and one of the nation’s best hospitals, with several of its specialties ranked among the top 50 in the
country. UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital is Iowa’s only children’s hospital nationally ranked by U.S.
News. UI Health Care was the first in Iowa to be designated a Magnet Hospital (2004) by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center and the first in Iowa to be re-designated four times (2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023). Through
innovation, collaboration, and expertise, UI Health Care is committed to providing safe, high-quality care with
excellent service and exceptional outcomes. In addition to serving as a center for highly specialized care, UI Health
Care conducts research to better understand, prevent, and treat injuries and illnesses, and it also educates
students and trainees in medicine and allied health professions.
4 Objective and Intent
The Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) is currently undergoing renovation and is expected to remain under renovation
through calendar year 2027. To facilitate the required construction activities, existing food service locations within
the IMU must be closed, significantly limiting food service options for students, visitors, and staff. The objective of
this Request for Qualifications (RFQL) is to obtain the services of a reputable, properly licensed, nationally
branded, food service provider to produce food off-premise and bring their product to campus to sell food at a
temporary location within the IMU. The University's preference is for a provider of hot sandwiches to compliment the
existing food services available at the IMU.
These services are required to begin immediately following the University’s spring break (March 15–March 22,
2026). Business operations for this food service need must commence on Monday, March 23, 2026, and will
continue through June 1, 2027. In the event the renovation schedule is extended, any resultant agreement may
also be extended to ensure uninterrupted food service operations through renovation completion.
The University seeks a Supplier to operate five (5) days per week, Monday through Friday, between the hours of
11:00 a.m. CST and 2:00 p.m. CST. However, if these days or hours do not sufficiently align with the needs of
students, visitors, and staff, the University reserves the right to adjust the days and/or hours of operation. Such
adjustments may include reducing the number of service days or modifying operating hours. The successful
Supplier must be flexible and willing to collaborate with the University to ensure service objectives are met.
The successful Supplier will be required to prepare all food items off-site and to store food items on-site during
operating hours in a safe and sanitary manner, in full compliance with all applicable food safety regulations. The
Supplier must provide, operate, and maintain its own point-of-sale equipment and is solely responsible for staffing
and operating the food service location. The University will not be responsible for food preparation, storage, setup,
staffing, or the sale of food. The University’s role is limited to providing the physical space necessary for the
Supplier to deliver food services to IMU patrons.
Page 4 of 14 pages
Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
18563
5 Scope of Services
The successful Firm will work in partnership with the University and will be expected to fulfill the following scope of
food service operartions, but not limited to:
Operations
The Supplier will be responsible for supplying all food and other necessary supplies, plus all management and labor
necessary for the safe, sanitary and efficient operation of the food service operation.
Prepare food off-site at Supplier's facility and transport food to IMU for resale.
Ensure food is properly stored on-site to meet food safety requirements.
Begin operations Monday March 23rd and continue services through IMU renovation completion, currently
estimated to be in calendar year 2027.
Be prepared to operate five days a week (M-F) from 11:00 a.m. CST to 2:00 p.m. CST initially but adjust days
and hours of operations as needed by customer demand and University request.
Provide main entree, sides (such as chips) and drink menu at a cost competitive to industry.
Supplier shall be responsible for paying all fees associated with accepting credit or debit cards.
Supplier shall provide all employee uniforms, aprons, jackets and other related food service linens. The
Supplier will also be responsible for the laundering, cleaning, and maintaining adequate inventory of these
items. Style and design of all uniforms shall be subject for approval of the University.
Supplier is expected to obtain, at its own expense, any permits, or licenses required by any federal, state,
municipal, county or hospital ordinance of regulation related to the food services and shall pay, at its sole
expense, all taxes lawfully assessed in connection with the operation of a food service.
Supplier shall comply with all Johnson County codes.
Supplier is responsible for immediately resolving all customer complaints with respect to its food service
operations, without expense to or intervention of the University.
Signage must be posted which indicates to the customer, the University Representative to whom they may
refer to for unresolved issues.
The Supplier's management/owner shall meet, at a minimum, annually, or otherwise agreed upon frequency,
with the University designee. The purpose of the reviews will be to discuss/resolve any operational issues, to
review the business operations, ensure customer satisfaction is being achieved, and review how to achieve
continued success in the partnership between the Supplier and the University.
Cleaning
The Supplier will be responsible for always keeping the space clean and sanitary. This includes, at minimum:
The cleaning of areas in the food service preparation area
The cleaning of the servery and dining room during regular hours of operation. The cleaning of the servery
and dining room after hours shall be the responsibility of the University.
Waste containers kept in a clean and satisfactory condition at all times and emptied as often as necessary to
maintain sanitary conditions. The cleanliness of these areas must meet with the approval of the University
and the opinion or decision by the University regarding cleanliness shall be final.
6 Scope of Services - Changes
The University reserves the right to change the scope of work as required. Notices of such changes will be made in
writing by the University to the Supplier.
Read and Acknowledged
(Required: Check if applicable)
7 Supplier Requirements
Suppliers must clearly demonstrate and provide documentation substantiating that they are compliant in each of the
following areas. The University reserves, solely, the right to reject any submittals if the evidence or references
submitted by such Supplier fails to satisfy the University that said Supplier is properly qualified in any of these
areas. It shall not be the responsibility of the University to request additional information to satisfy these
requirements, if such information is not provided with the submitted response. Failure to respond to any question or
follow the instructions herein may result in disqualification
Page 5 of 14 pages
Deadline: 3/3/2026 03:00 PM (CT)
18563
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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