New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) is requesting proposals for a Refreshments operator to operate the Refreshments areas (“Ferryboat Refreshments Areas”) on the Staten Island Ferryboats (“Ferryboats”). Each year, the Staten Island Ferry provides ferry services between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan to over 15 million people. Nearly 45,000 passengers ride the Staten Island Ferry on weekdays (amounting to 117 weekday daily trips). Operated and maintained by the New York City Department of Transportation (“NYCDOT”), the Staten Island Ferry is the nonvehicular form of transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan that is free to the public. NYCDOT operates a total of nine (9) ferryboats between lower Manhattan and Staten Island, and at any point in time, up to four of the boats are operating.

The objective of this RFP is to select a respondent (the “Respondent”) that will provide food and beverage services to ferryboat passengers while optimizing revenue for the City of New York (“City”). Ferryboat Refreshments Areas are being offered for up to a maximum initial term of ten (10) years, with possible extensions bringing the total term up to a maximum of twenty (20) years. In addition to the Ferryboat Refreshments Areas, the Respondent may choose to lease a retail space (“Optional Retail Space”) located in St. George Ferry Terminal, Suite SG1, for storage of the Refreshments inventory. Proposals should indicate if the Optional Retail Space will be required. The scope of refreshment services shall include, but not limited to, providing food and/or beverage services onboard the Ferryboats.

NYCEDC plans to select a Respondent on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: the quality of the proposal, readiness to enter into an agreement, experience of key staff identified in the proposal, type of food and beverage offerings, demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFP and the proposed fee.

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives. Please refer to the Equal Employment and Affirmative Compliance for Non-Construction Contracts Addendum in the RFP.

This project has Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) participation goals, and all respondents will be required to submit an M/WBE Participation Proposal with their response. To learn more about NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, visit http://edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe. For the list of companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as M/WBE, please go to the https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/.

NYCEDC established the Contract Financing Loan Fund programs for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) interested in working on public construction projects. Contract Financing Loan Fund facilitates financing for short-term mobilization needs such as insurance, labor, supplies and equipment. Bidders/subcontractors are strongly encouraged to visit the NYCEDC website at http://edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe to learn more about the program.

An optional site visit session will be held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at St. George Ferry Terminal, 1 Bay Street, Staten Island, New York, 10301. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to SIFerryboatRefreshments@edc.nyc on or before Friday, February 9, 2024.

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to SIFerryboatRefreshments@edc.nyc. Answers to all questions will be posted by Thursday, February 29, 2024, to https://edc.nyc/rfps. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5pm on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to RFPREQUEST@edc.nyc on or before Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP. Please click the link in the “Deadlines” section of this project’s web page to electronically upload a proposal for this solicitation.