Farmers Market Operations

Agency:	Jackson County
State:	Michigan
Type of Government:	State & Local
Posted Date:	Apr 10, 2024
Due Date:	May 1, 2024
Solicitation No:	04102024
Bid Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Request for Proposals (RFP)

Jackson County is soliciting proposals for:

Project Name: Farmers Market Operations

RFP Issue Date: April 10, 2024

Proposals Due: May 1, 5:00PM

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Kyle Lewis, Director, Jackson County Parks

Klewis@mijackson.org; 517-788-4320.

Jackson County is issuing this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from qualified persons/firms for the

operation and management of a County Facility to be used as a Farmers Market for a minimum

two year period at 119 W. North St., Jackson, MI 49202. Extensions may be awarded by Jackson

County upon satisfactory performance of the operator and negotiation of terms with the

County. Such extensions will be at the discretion of the Jackson County Board of

Commissioners.

All inquiries should be directed, in writing, to Kyle Lewis, Parks Director, Phone 517-788-4320;

or by email at Klewis@mijackson.org.

Proposals will be received at the Jackson County Parks office inside the American 1 Event

Center, 128 W. Ganson St. Jackson, MI 49201, or by email to Klewis@mijackson.org

Introduction

In the early 2000’s, The Enterprise

Group developed the Armory Arts

Apartments just east of James J

Keeley Park. After deciding not to

develop the property further,

there was leftove4r land.

Give n the historic nature of the

property, Jackson County acquired

this leftover property with a vision

to preserve it. Jackson County

acquired three parcels of property

from The Enterprise Group in 2019

that is the site of Michigan’s first

state prison from 1838 to 1934.

The property, which is surrounded

by stone walls on three sides, also

served as an Armory during World

War II, the Vietnam War, and the

Gulf War.

The 10-acre property is currently

used primarily for parking for the

Jackson County Fair, but also

includes a non-motorized trail,

and a 6,500 square foot building.

Staff have studied the potential to

host a farmer’s market on this

property, utilizing the 6,500

square foot building.

The property has a captured audience as the building is located on the local trail system. The

trail is also a part of the state-wide trail network, connecting together Lake Michigan to Lake

Huron, which means that there will soon be more long-distance riders passing through Jackson.

A farmer’s market provides an amenity for trail users.

Description of Opportunity

To implement this initiative, the County intends to place the operations of the market under

private management with the goal of delivering a vibrant amenity that includes market vendors

and a community gathering space.

Jackson County is issuing this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from qualified persons/firms for the

operation and management of a County Facility to be used as a Farmers Market for a minimum

two year period at 119 w. North S., Jackson, MI 49202. Extensions may be awarded by the

Jackson County upon satisfactory performance of the operator and negotiation of terms with

the County. Such extensions will be at the discretion of the Jackson County Board of

Commissioners.

Through a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, The County is in the

process of making necessary improvements and renovations to the property and to the building

to support this initiative.

Improvements will include:

Exterior and Interior painting, roof replacement, building tuck-point, flooring improvements,

restroom renovation, HVAC, driveway improvements, parking improvements, and the addition

of a concrete plaza between the building and the non-motorized trail to serve as a trailhead and

community gathering place.

Process and Criteria for Selection of Market Operator

A selection committee will be established for this project. The selection committee will review

the proposals and develop a short list of finalist for interview. Based upon the proposal and

interview, the committee will rank the finalists and present a recommended candidate(s) to the

Jackson County Board of Commissioners for their review. The selected candidate(s) should

anticipate a public presentation to the Board of Commissioners.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

For the first two years, the County will provide the building free of lease payments, and the

private operator will retain all vendor booth revenue. The County desires the Farmers’ Market

to be self-sustaining and seeks proposals that do not include management fees paid by the

County to the private operator. Submitters are asked to provide a Business Plan/Operations

Model and Financial Model.

In preparing a response to this section, please review and take into consideration the following

potential operational costs:

 Pest Control, general maintenance, cleaning and janitorial tasks along with supplies

needed to operate

 Utilities

 Trash Removal/Dumpster

The County will be responsible for costs associated with renovating the building in preparation

of the private management occupying the space. The County also has limited funds to assist

with promoting the space through events and programming.

Preparation of the Proposal

Jackson County will consider any model that makes the Farmers’ Market concept viable and

provides retail sales of locally grown produce, specialty foods, specialty items, and groceries.

Creative proposals are strongly encouraged.

The proposal, at a minimum, must include the following:

1. Organization/Company Profile

a. Official name of Organization/Business

b. Contact Information

c. Type of entity (non-profit, corporation, individual, etc.)

d. Brief history of organization/company, including the year it was established

2. References (provide a minimum of three references that has had a relationship with

your business or organization within the last 5 years)

3. Business Plan/Operations Model (at a minimum, please include the following)

a. Clearly define your vision for utilizing the space

b. Short-term and long-term goals as an operator of the space

c. Financial Plan and Projections

d. Marketing Strategy

e. Please list any needs of the County to fulfill this vision

Bid Number:	04102024
Bid Title:	Farmers Market Operations
Category:	Jackson County Parks & Recreation
Status:	Open
Bid Recipient:	Klewis@mijackson.org

Farmers Market Operations

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