SUMMARY
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Budget approved
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DESCRIPTION
A university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, is seeking a vendor to provide dining services, including catering operations. Proposals must include detailed catering policies and procedures, menu items, pricing, and any applicable packing, setup, or delivery charges.
The selected vendor will also be expected to provide catering brochures and describe strategies for promoting the catering department and increasing business through targeted marketing. Catering is a key element of the university’s dining services program, which requires varying service levels and pricing options.
The contract period will be five years. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2026, and all questions must be submitted by October 6, 2026. Proposals are due November 9, 2026.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a regional or national contractor
- Must attend the mandatory site visit on September 30th, 2026
- Must submit proposal electronically via the Bonfire Portal
- Must certify financial stability
- Must comply with E-Verify requirements for employees
- Must provide transition assistance if required
- Must maintain required insurance coverage
- Must designate a project manager
- Must comply with all federal and state non-discrimination laws
- Must be domesticated in the Office of the North Carolina Secretary of State if a non-resident corporation
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TIMELINE
Issue RFP: September 16th, 2026
Hold Pre-Proposal Meeting: September 23rd, 2026
Site Visit: September 30th, 2026
Submit Written Questions: October 6th, 2026
Provide Response to Questions: October 11th, 2026
Submit Proposals: November 9th, 2026
Finalist Presentations: January, 2027
Contract Award: March, 2026
Contract Effective Date: July 1st, 2026
Issuing Agency
Western Carolina University
CONTACTS
Primary procurement contact — name, title, email, and phone
Additional decision-makers and their departments
Similar RFPs
Frequently asked questions
- When is the submission deadline?
- Submissions are due November 9, 2026. Questions must be submitted by October 6, 2026.
- Who issued this RFP?
- It was issued by Western Carolina University. The work is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States.
- Who is a good fit for this opportunity?
- Established institutional dining and catering provider
- Experience serving universities or comparable public-sector organizations
- Demonstrated ability to offer varied catering menus, service levels, and pricing
- Strong food-service marketing and business-development capabilities
- Proven capacity to manage packing, setup, delivery, and catering operations
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