Request for Proposals 2026 Shoreline Park Concession

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
City of Sandusky
Operation of the Shoreline Park Concession
Issued by:
The City of Sandusky, Ohio
Issued:
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Contact Person:
Colleen Gilson
c/o Department of Community Development
240 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 627-5807
Fax: (419) 627-5945
Email: mvassallo@cityofsandusky.com
Proposals Due:
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 1:30pm
The City of Sandusky reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, to waive
informalities, or to accept any Proposal which it deems most favorable to the City
of Sandusky

City of Sandusky
Operation of the Shoreline Park Concession
Table of Contents
Sections Pages
I.Notice to Proposers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
II.Procurement Process, Timeline and Deadlines ---------------------------------- 2 - 3
III.Overview ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
IV.Scope of Services --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 - 6
V.Proposal Submittal and Format ---------------------------------------------------------- 7
VI.Evaluation of Proposals ----------------------------------------------------------- 10 - 13
VII.Qualifications of Proposer ------------------------------------------------------------- 14
VIII.Submittal Forms ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
(a) Proposal Form
(b) Organization and Experience History, Service References
(c) Waiver & Release Form
(d) Proof of Liability Insurance
(e) Disclosure of Personal Property Taxes
(f) Bidder's Affidavit #1
(g) Bidder's Affidavit #2
(h) Non-Collusion Affidavit

SECTION I. Notice to Proposers
LEGAL NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals for the City of Sandusky "Operation of the Shoreline Park Concession" must be
received in the office of the Department of Community Development, 240 Columbus Ave,
Sandusky, OH 44870, to the attention of Colleen Gilson, no later than 1:30pm on
Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Proposal packages shall be submitted with one original in sealed envelope labeled
"Operation of the Shoreline Park Concession". These Proposals are to be sent or
delivered to:
Colleen Gilson
c/o Department of Community Development
240 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-627-5891
Correspondence shall include contact name, address, telephone, fax, and email
information.
Copies for the Request for Proposals (RFP) can be downloaded from the City of Sandusky's
website at www.cityofsandusky.com, or if you prefer a hard copy, please contact Melissa
Vassallo at mvassallo@cityofsandusky.com or 419-627-5932.
All questions must be submitted to Jason Werling in writing via email at
jwerling@cityofsandusky.com no later than 8:00am on Friday, September 25, 2026. Any
questions submitted and answers thereto, clarifications or Request for Proposals
amendments shall be distributed to those parties that requested or have been sent an
original RFP.
All proposals must be received on time and in full compliance with the instructions
contained in the RFP. The City of Sandusky reserves the right to reject any and all
Proposals, and to withdraw this solicitation at any time.
The City of Sandusky reserves the right to waive any informalities or irregularities in any
of the Proposals received and award to the offeror whose proposal best meets the needs
of the City of Sandusky.
Please publish on: September 10 & 17, 2026
Approved by: John Orzech, City Manager
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SECTION II. Procurement Process, Timeline and Deadlines
This Request for Proposals is being issued by the City of Sandusky. The primary contact
for all communications regarding this Proposal shall be done through email with Jason
Werling at jwerling@cityofsandusky.com, with a last day for questions being no later than
1:30pm on Friday, September 25, 2026.
All private, for-profit, non-profit and public entities shall be eligible to submit Proposals
for this work.
The Request for Proposals shall be available upon Thursday, September 10, 2026, and
publicized as follows:
* On the City of Sandusky Website at http://www.cityofsandusky.com
* Published as Legal Notice in the Sandusky Register on September 10 & 17, 2026
The Request for Proposals shall be available upon request in the following formats: hard
copy (paper) and electronic email (Adobe Acrobat *.PDF format). The Request for
Proposals shall be distributed as requested by the aforementioned eligible
Proposer/Contractors. Requests for the Request for Proposals shall be made to the
Department of Community Development. All requests shall include the Request for
Proposals format preference (hard copy or electronic email), complete contact
information of person making the request, including email address and fax number.
The Proposals shall be due no later than 1:30pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Proposals
received after that date and time will not be accepted. Cost Proposal packages shall be
submitted as outlined in Section VI. Proposal Submittal and Format. The Proposals shall
be sent to:
Colleen Gilson
c/o Department of Community Development
240 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 627-5829
Proposer/Contractor bears total responsibility for ensuring their proposal is complete and
arrives on time.
Proposer/Contractor shall comply with each and every requirement of this RFP to be
considered responsive.
The Proposals shall be reviewed by a committee following the Request for Proposals due
date and time. The selected finalists shall be established based on the Rating Scale as
defined in Section VII. Evaluation of Proposals.
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Specific Project Timeline
September 10 & 17, 2026 Advertise in the Sandusky Register that the City of Sandusky is
accepting Proposals and the Request for Proposals/Specifications packets are available.
Document will be posted on the City's Website.
Friday, September 25, 2026 at 8:00am Last day to submit questions and clarifications
regarding the Request for Proposals for SCADA Improvements at Cedar Point Lift Station.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 1:30pm Deadline for submittal of Proposals to the City of
Sandusky.
October 2 - October 9, 2026 Review and evaluate proposals to formulate the top three
Proposer/Contractor. Demonstrations may be requested during this time.
October 26, 2026 Agreement will go to City Commission for approval.
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SECTION III. Overview
Shoreline Park is one of the City of Sandusky's waterfront parks including walking, biking,
vehicle and fishing access, of which the City prides themselves on and holds high
standards of its tenants to keep the grounds clean of all litter and debris.
The facility is a public facility and should be treated as such throughout the length of the
agreement, allowing the public to have full and complete access to all portions of the
premises except for inside the concession operation area.
The City envisions an operator being a qualified individual or business that possesses
experience in operating a business, restaurant experience, and interest in operating an
establishment that will enhance the historic park.
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SECTION IV. Scope of Services
A.Term of Operation and Agreement
The operation period for the concession facility shall be from March 15, 2027, and
concluding on November 1, 2027. The City desires to sign an agreement with an operator
for a three-year period, there shall be three (3) one-year options to extend the agreement
for services full or in part written into the agreement, which may include the negotiation
of new pricing, upon the City's discretion.
B.City of Sandusky Obligations
* Fire Alarm Monitoring
* Building Security
* Utilities, trash services and restroom cleaning/supplies with costs offset in rent
from tenant.
* Waterline/Building Winterization
* General maintenance repairs to the entire facility are not attributed to the
operator's negligence.
C.Obligation of Operator
* Market, manage, and operate the concession area.
* Provide necessary staffing, bookkeeping, and marketing.
* Keep grounds free of litter.
* Maintain and keep the concession and seating area located at the concession
facility in a good, safe, and clean manner.
* Provide and purchase all food, beverages and confections to customers and
the public throughout the term of the agreement.
* All food and beverages shall be of good quality and shall conform in all respects to
federal, state and local ordinances and regulations with respect to food safety. (all
costs are the responsibility of the operator)
* Working with the city and annual event organizers for events within the park.
(No vendor restrictions for annual event holders, i.e. Shoreline Pride,
Overdose Awareness Day, Walk for ALZ).
* If alcoholic beverages are sold, the proper permits shall be required and in full
compliance with all federal, state and local ordinances and regulations. (all costs
are the responsibility of the operator)
D.Liability and Insurance
Successful respondent shall be required to supply and keep in force during the contract
period:
* Comprehensive public liability insurance against any liability for injury or death to
persons and/or damage to property occurring in, on or about the premises in the
amount of $1,000,000.00 (combined single limit bodily injury and property
damage). Policy shall list the City of Sandusky as an insured.
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* Successful respondent shall hold the City of Sandusky harmless against damage
done to the equipment, premises, or any municipal facilities due to the operation
of the facility or acts of operator's agents or employees.
E. Background Check
Successful respondent may be required to execute the proper authorization allowing the
City to perform a complete criminal background check and credit history. This
requirement shall be at the sole discretion of the City. At a minimum, the Respondent
shall submit a list of five (5) references that can be checked.
F. Payment Terms
The operator shall pay the City a monthly facility fee on the first business day of each
month during the term of operation described above. The monthly facility fee shall
include, at a minimum, $726.00 per month for utilities, trash/recycling service, and
restroom cleaning services. The total monthly fee should range between $500.00 and
$1,500.00 per month. Payment shall be sent directly to the City of Sandusky, 240
Columbus Ave, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, Attn: Finance Director. Failure to pay on time may
result in late fees and eventual termination of the agreement.
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SECTION V. Proposal Submittal and Format
The Proposals shall be submitted in hard copy. Electronic copies via e-mail or on disk,
and in Adobe Acrobat (*.PDF) format) may also accompany, but may not substitute for,
the hard copy.
Proposer/Contractor bears total responsibility for ensuring their proposal is complete and
arrives on time.
Proposals received by Fax will not be considered.
Proposer/Contractor shall comply with each and every requirement of this RFP to be
considered responsive.
All original signatures shall be in BLUE OR BLACK ink. If space provided is insufficient for
response, attach additional sheets to the forms, clearly referencing such sheets back to
specific points addressed in the forms.
The contents of the Proposals shall not be altered or embellished by any
Proposer/Contractor as the same bears on the submission of a full, complete, and
responsive Proposal. The City may amend and correct the RFP before Proposals are due.
All Proposals are to be full and complete and reflect the specifications set forth in this
RFP, as amended and corrected by the City, and shall include all required plans, programs
and policies.
The City reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, to waive informalities, or to
accept any Proposal that is deemed most favorable to the City. The City reserves the right
to extend the due date of the RFP should it become in the best interest of the City to do
so.
The City reserves the right to reject any Proposal that exceeds the City's ability to fund
the project. Unit costs are expected to be as low as possible and practical, and to
reasonably reflect operating conditions in this part of Ohio.
Sealed proposals may be withdrawn prior to the opening of the proposals in person by a
Proposer/Contractor or his/her authorized representative, by signing a receipt for the
proposal.
After the opening of proposals, a Proposer/Contractor may withdraw his/her proposal
from consideration in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 9.31 if the price bid
was substantially lower than other proposals, providing the proposal was submitted in
good faith, and was due to a clerical mistake as opposed to a judgment mistake. Notice
of a claim of right to withdraw proposal shall be made in writing and filed with the
Department of Community Development within two (2) business days after the date of
the opening of the proposals.
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The contract shall be awarded on the basis of the fairest and best proposal that conforms
to the specifications of this Request for Proposals as determined in the discretion of the
City.
The RFP and all proposals, documents and other information, unless confidential,
proprietary or a trade secret, concerning the RFP process shall be open to public
inspection upon award of a contract. Any requests by Proposer/Contractor for
nondisclosure of confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets or assertions by
Proposer/Contractor that information in its proposal, or the entire proposal, is
confidential, proprietary or a trade secret shall be examined by the City to determine the
validity of the request or assertion. Proposer/Contractor requests or assertions shall be
in writing. If the parties do not agree, the Proposer/Contractor shall be informed in
writing by the City regarding what portions of the proposal shall be disclosed.
Proposer/Contractor may withdraw its proposal at any time prior to award of a contract.
Questions, Changes, and Clarifications
To facilitate the clarification of requirements, Proposer/Contractors are requested to
submit questions in writing to Jason Werling at jwerling@cityofsandusky.com no later
than 8:00am on Friday, September 25, 2026.
If it becomes evident that the Request for Proposals must be amended, the City of
Sandusky will issue a formal written amendment to all known prospective
Proposer/Contractors.
The Request for Proposals, as amended and corrected, and the Proposals with incident
and accompanying Proposals, as amended and corrected, shall constitute the entire
agreement between the City and the successful Proposer. There shall be no verbal
agreements.
Entire agreement: By submitting a Proposal, the Proposer/Contractor acknowledges that
it has read the RFP, understands it, and agrees to be bound by its requirements, terms
and conditions.
The City will work with the Proposer/Contractor to develop a simple, mutually
agreeable contract compatible with this RFP. The Proposer/Contractor further agrees
that the final contract entered into between the parties shall be, as outlined in this RFP,
the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties and that it
shall supersede all Proposals, oral or written, and all other communication between the
parties in relation to the subject matter of the contract. The contract may be modified
only in writing, signed by the Proposer/Contractor and City. The City reserves the right to
disqualify any Proposals that take exception to or limit the rights of the City under the
requirements, terms, and conditions of this RFP. Furthermore, by providing the City with
a Proposal based on this RFP, the Proposer/Contractor expressly warrants that the
Proposer shall fulfill the requirements of this RFP.
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