Release Date: March 9, 2026
Proposal Deadline: April 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Introduction
The City of Ellsworth is seeking proposals to provide food concession services at the Ellsworth Harbor Park. This City-owned area supports a variety of recreational activities, and the City intends for vendors to offer the public a diverse selection of food products. The City makes no guarantee regarding the number of patrons who may utilize these services. The City may award up to two (2) vendors.
Terms & Conditions
The awarded Proposer(s) shall have the right to sell food products, ice cream, candy, and non-alcoholic beverages from a “mobile type” cart or vehicle. No permanent structures may be erected. Equipment must be moved from City property at the end of the season. Vendors may operate for 5 months from May 15, 2026 until October 15, 2026 on days they elect.
The sale of items shall be made only at designated sites within the park. Signs and where and how they are displayed must receive prior City approval. The City reserves the right to assign vendors to specific locations and to ensure that approved menus do not directly duplicate those of another awarded vendor.
The City reserves the right to allow additional temporary vendors during special events, festivals, or City-sponsored activities at Ellsworth Harbor Park.
The awarded Proposer(s) agrees to obtain all licenses, provide all equipment, observe and comply with all applicable Federal, State, and/or City rules and regulations, including those adopted by the City with respect to selling foods.
The awarded Proposer(s) shall pay all charges for utilities furnished to the Premises, including but not limited to gas, steam, water, electricity, sewer, and telephone service. The awardee(s) shall be required to establish and maintain a connection between its mobile food service trailer and meters placed for monitoring electric and water use and consumption. The City shall in no event be liable for any interruption or failure of utilities or other services on the Premise.
The awarded Proposer(s) will be required: to display menu boards on concession units and to provide prompt, efficient and courteous service. The public’s right of use and enjoyment of the park shall not be infringed upon by any activity of the awarded Proposer(s). Their activities shall be conducted so as to render the best possible service to the public in a dignified manner and no pressure, coercion, persuasion or other forms of intimidation shall be used in an attempt to influence the public to use their services or buy their products. Operation must be conducted so as not to interfere, through excessive noise or odor, with the public’s enjoyment of the park. Hours of operation shall not exceed 9 pm, unless prior permission is granted by the City for special events.
Any contract awarded may be cancelled, without cause, by the City giving thirty (30) days prior notice in writing to the awarded Proposer. The City may also cancel any contract immediately for cause due to non-payment of proposed fees or due to failure by a vendor’s non-performance. Non-performance will include, but not limited to, the failure of the awarded Proposer(s) to regularly provide the services identified herein without specific reason as to its cause and/or without the approval of the City Council, or designee.
Payment due to the City under any contract awarded shall be paid either in full for the entire season on contract signing or in equal monthly payments to the CITY OF ELLSWORTH, MAINE. Timely payment is required.
The successful proposer shall agree to save the City harmless from all losses, costs, or damages caused by his/her acts or those of his/her agents. Before signing the contract, the proposer shall provide evidence of General Liability insurance in an amount no less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, naming the City of Ellsworth as additional insured.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Proposals will be received by the City of Ellsworth until 6:00 PM on Monday, April 6, 2026. Proposals may be submitted electronically in PDF format or delivered in person or by mail to the City of Ellsworth, One City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Electronic submissions should be emailed to the Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities, Roddy Ehrlenbach (rehrlenbach@ellsworthmaine.gov) with the subject line ‘Harbor Park Food Concession Proposal – 2026’. Late submissions may not be considered.
The City may hold the proposals for a period not to exceed forty five (45) days from the date of the proposal opening to review the proposals and investigate the proposer’s qualifications prior to awarding the contract.
Request for additional proposal information, proposal documents, and questions may be directed to Roddy Ehrlenbach, at 667-2563 ext. 175.
Proposals should clearly identify the proposer and include all materials required in this RFP. All proposals shall be signed with the firm’s name, its corporate seal (if applicable) and bear the handwritten signature of an officer or an authorized employee having the authority to bind the company to a contract by his/her signature.
Proposers shall include the following information and submittals:
a) Letter of Transmittal- This letter will summarize in a brief and concise manner, the proposer’s understanding of the Scope of Work and make a positive commitment to timely performance of work. The letter must name all of the persons authorized to make representations for the proposer, including the titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of such persons.
b) Identify the type of business entity involved (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.)
c) Qualifications and experience of the firm/individual(s) who will provide the services. Provide a summary of the proposer’s experience in concession operations, including a firm’s history, references (attaching letters if available), etc.
d) Provide a proposed plan that explains and/or illustrates the type of concession services you intend to provide, the methods and equipment to be used, innovative ideas/approaches. The plan may be accompanied by pictures, layouts and other appropriate information that will convey to the City exactly what you are proposing. Include proposed menu with pricing and intended hours of operation.
e) Provide a summary of any litigation filed by or against the proposer in the past five (5) years which is related to the services that the proposer provides in the regular course of business.
f) State your price proposal. The City allows each proposer to submit their own proposal regarding the amount he/she is willing to pay for concession rights. Each proposer is given the opportunity to specify a fixed yearly amount for this location.
Selection Process / Evaluation Categories
It is the intent of the city to select those proposers who demonstrate the ability to provide the highest quality service to the public and who will provide the highest revenue to the City. In evaluating the proposals, the City will consider the following factors, none of which, standing alone, will become conclusive:
| ITEM | CRITERIA | WEIGHT |
| I. | PRICE PROPOSAL- amount and type | 50% |
| II. | QUALIFICATIONS- variety, volume and quality of equipment owned; past experience of individuals and/or firms previous contracting experience with the City and/or other government entities; responsiveness of proposal regarding format. | 25% |
| III. | PLAN OF OPERATION- operational plan, understanding of City’s needs, technical soundness of proposal, reasonableness of proposed menu list. | 25% |
Interviews may be conducted with any proposer to clarify submitted material. The City further reserves the right to negotiate with the selected vendor(s) as to the terms of the contract, including but not limited to price, plan of operation, etc. All negotiations are intended to lead to a binding contract(s) with all contracts requiring City Council approval.
The City of Ellsworth reserves the right to waive any informalities in Proposals, to accept any Proposal or portions thereof and to reject any and all Proposals should it be deemed for the best interest of the City to do so. The City reserves the right to substantiate proposer’s qualifications, capability to perform, availability, past performance record and to verify that proposers are current in their obligations to the City.
This form below must be signed and returned with your proposal:
AUTHORIZATION form_ Harbor Park Food Concessions 2026
