Texas DIR/ESBD #RFP2026-046

Cameron Park Zoo foodservice, catering, retail, and admissions operations

The City of Waco is seeking a qualified operator to manage food, catering, retail, and admissions services at Cameron Park Zoo. - Government buyer: City of Waco, doing business as Cameron Park Zoo; Purchasing Services. - Services requested: - Foodservice at Plaza Café and Treetops Café, including food and beverage, staffing, facility upkeep, customer service, menus, pricing, purchasing, and marketing. - Catering for Zoo events, including operating plans, menus, sales, and marketing. - Retail at Zootique and the Penguin Shores satellite shop, including merchandise selection, purchasing, customer service, marketing, and e-commerce. - Admissions and ticketing, including online and group sales, entry operations, member attendance processing, and proposed ticketing hardware, software, CRM, reporting, and support. - Important requirements: Proposals should address staffing, investment, commission structure by business category, revenue growth, service improvements, and sustainable practices. Minimum qualifications include relevant accredited-zoo experience and specified revenue-management thresholds. - Membership revenue remains with the Zoological Society. - No specific products, part numbers, or product quantities are requested. No OEMs or prospective operators are named. EUNA/Bonfire is identified as the electronic bidding platform, not as a service provider. - Period of performance: Up to 10 years, with an option for five additional one-year terms.

Description

The City of Waco, doing business as Cameron Park Zoo, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to operate the Zoo’s foodservice, catering, retail, and ticketing amenities. The partnership is intended to add value to the guest experience and provide consistency. The Zoo is also seeking a partner with mission alignment and respect for sustainable business practices. Proposals are due November 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

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