Project Information

Bid Title

RFP for Forest Park Beach - Concession Services

Issuing Agency

City of Lake Forest

Location

Illinois

Published Date

Jan 30, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 13, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

description	Opening Date	Closing Date
RFP for Forest Park Beach - Concession Services	January 30, 2026 9:00 AM	February 13, 2026 10:00 AM

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Forest Park Beach

Concessions Services

The City of Lake Forest

Issue Date:

January 30, 2026

Submittal Due Date:

February 13, 2026

The City of Lake Forest

Recreation Department

400 Hastings Road

Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

Request for Proposals

Forest Park Beach Concessions Services

January 2026

THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Forest Park Beach - Concessions Services

The City of Lake Forest

January 30, 2026

Submittals due Friday, February 13, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. CST

I. INTRODUCTION

The City of Lake Forest (“City”) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide the City

concession services for Forest Park Beach 801 N Lake Road, based on the criteria/requirements

outlined in this Request for Proposal (“RFP”). The intent of this RFP is to obtain the best

qualified, responsible firm to provide Forest Park Beach with Concession Services to provide

convenience and enhance the enjoyment of Beach patrons.

All submittals must be received by Jason Busdeker, via email at busdekej@cityoflakeforest.com

by 10:00 A.M. CST on Friday, February 13, 2026.

II. OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVES

It is the intent of the City to accept proposals from interested companies or individuals to enter

into the lease agreement and to conduct the sales at the Forest Park Beach facility and events

as described herein. The purpose of this request for proposal is to identify a service provider

who can offer a variety of high quality food and beverage options to residents and visitors

offering the best value to Forest Park Beach guests while providing an innovative and creative

solution for our concession's needs for the 2026 season.

The following are objectives for the City:

A. To provide independent concession services at Forest Park Beach during mutually

agreed upon hours between the vendor and city with the goal of providing consistent

service while operating in a fiscally responsible model.

B. To utilize facilities at the north end of Forest Park Beach.

C. To provide a high-level of service to community members and to work cooperatively

with the City staff at all times.

D. To offer a variety of food (including healthy choices) and beverage options at reasonable

(market rate) prices.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE RFP PROCESS

The RFP shall consist of a three-step process.

Step 1 – Review of Submitted Proposal

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Request for Proposals

Forest Park Beach Concessions Services

January 2026

The City will establish an RFP Committee to review and evaluate the written responses

to the RFP in accordance with the evaluation criteria identified herein.

Step 2 – Candidate Firm Interviews

The RFP Committee intends to interview selected candidate firms. As outlined in the

below RFP schedule, interviews will be scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Step 3 – City Selection and Recommendation Stage

The RFP Committee will recommend a qualified team to provide the best qualified,

responsible firm for Forest Park Beach Concessions Services. The City intends to develop

a contractual agreement and seek City Council approval at the Monday, March 2, 2026,

City Council meeting.

IV. BACKGROUND

The City of Lake Forest is located 28 miles north of the Chicago central business district and is

one of eight Chicago north suburban communities fronting on Lake Michigan collectively

referred to as the "North Shore". Contiguous municipal neighbors to the north include Lake

Bluff; to the west are Mettawa and Bannockburn; and to the south are Highland Park and

Highwood. The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and

eight council members are elected by ward for two-year, staggered terms. The City Manager

serves as the Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City.

Forest Park Beach is the City of Lake Forest’s most visited park. Located along the shore of Lake

Michigan, Forest Park Beach is a 29 acre park where visitors can enjoy the large beach and grass

areas. Open year round, park amenities include sheltered pavilions, a fishing pier, boat

launching ramp and storage area, walking paths and a concession stand open during the

summer months. Forest Park Beach welcomes thousands of visitors every day during the

summer months.

Attached with this RFP are pictures, plans, and a map of the existing north building concession

area space. Interested Firms are encouraged to visit the space prior to submitting a proposal.

Requests to visit the space can be made to Jason Busdeker at busdekej@cityoflakeforest.com.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of services sought by the City shall include the provision of all required labor,

materials, equipment, expertise, and consultation services related to the successful execution

of providing high quality concession services. The City is providing the following scope of work

as a basis for what the City envisions and believes will be minimally necessary to fulfill this

service contract.

A. From Saturday, May 23rd through Monday, September 7th , seven days per week for

open beach operations. Hours of operation shall be mutually agreed upon between the

vendor and city with the goal of providing consistent service while operating in a fiscally

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Request for Proposals

Forest Park Beach Concessions Services

January 2026

responsible model. Previous summer hours of operation have been 10a-6p aligning with

the hours the lifeguard chairs are staffed. It is the City’s goal to maintain a consistent

presence that the community can depend on for their concession needs.

B. Concessionaire shall be responsible for purchasing and providing, at Concessionaire's

sole cost, the necessary and sufficient food and beverage and other products to be sold

and served by Concessionaire as part of the Concession Services at the Forest Park

Beach.

C. Concessionaire will be responsible for all the Concessionaire's direct expenses; including

but not limited to, labor, point-of-sale equipment (Beyond what is already there?) and

associated fees, additional concessions equipment (beyond existing equipment),

vehicles, food, beverages, supplies, permits, licenses, legal fees, and professional

accounting fees.

D. The Firm shall be required to certify compliance with applicable codes, laws, ordinances,

and regulations of the city of Lake Forest, Lake County, State of Illinois, and Federal

Government, including but not limiting to sanitation (food and sanitation certificate

holder), age, minimum wage, sales tax, and equal employment opportunity, must be

adhered to. It will be the responsibility of the Concessionaire to obtain an appropriate

permit from the County Health Departments to operate the facilities.

E. Concessionaire shall always keep for sale and supply the public with hot drinks, cold

drinks, and other commodities for which there is or shall be a reasonable demand.

F. The prices and products to be served as part of the Concession Services shall be

approved by the City.

G. All food and beverage menu options must remain in accordance with all applicable

state, local and other applicable governmental regulations relating to public health.

Concessionaire shall be responsible for obtaining all applicable licenses and permits

required for the Concession operation from any governmental authority having

jurisdiction thereof to serve, sell and prepare food at the park.

H. It is the expectation that the concessionaire shall serve and sell alcoholic beverages, at

minimum beer and wine.

I. Concessionaire must offer digital payment option for concession services.

Concessionaire is responsible for collecting and safekeeping its money and the City will

assume no responsibility for lost or stolen money.

J. Concessionaire is solely responsible for paying all applicable State sales and use taxes.

K. Concessionaire's operations at Forest Park Beach shall always be conducted in a clean,

orderly, and legitimate manner in accordance with all existing City policies, ordinances

and any laws requiring operation of the nature of Concessionaire. Trash and debris shall

be removed from the concession areas and properly disposed of every evening at

closing and during the day as needed.

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Request for Proposals

Forest Park Beach Concessions Services

January 2026

L. Concessionaire shall be responsible for cleaning all Concession areas immediately after

each event. The Concessionaire shall not use the Concession Areas for any purpose

other than the services described herein. Concessionaire's employees shall perform in a

first class and reputable manner during all operation hours.

M. All signage shall be in compliance with all applicable City Ordinances. All signage located

within the facility shall be approved in writing in advance by the City.

N. Concessionaire shall not make any alterations to the Concession Areas (including

painting) without prior written approval from the City.

O. The City reserves the right to operate, or contract with other parties, additional

concessions.

P. Foods can be prepared offsite and served onsite in accordance with all applicable health

regulations. Inventory of Equipment

a. Frigidaire Refrigerator – 19.5 cu ft

b. Upright Freezers (2)

i. True Refrigeration (s/n 4391425) 19 cu ft

ii. Beverage-Air (model SF1HC-1S) 23 cu ft

c. Refrigerated sandwich unit (Victory) model VUR-5

d. Refrigerated worktop unit (Victory) model VUR-60

e. Refrigerated sandwich unit (Victory) model VUR3-BT

f. Pizza Oven (Bakers Pride) model P44S

g. Automated ventless deep fryer (AutoFry) model MTI-10X

h. Microwave (Amana) model HDC12A2

i. Metal shelving storage racks (2)

j. Ice Machine

k. Panini Press

l. 3 Basin sink

m. Hand washing sink

n. Stainless steel prep tables (3)

i. 1 – 2ft x 4ft

ii. 1 – 3ft x 2ft

iii. 1- 2.5ft x 8ft

o.

Quality of Service and the Quality of food and beverage options is of utmost concern to the

City. The operator and staff are expected to be helpful, friendly, courteous, and clean. This

responsibility reflects upon the City and how we treat park patrons and guests. All foods, drinks,

beverages, confections, refreshments and the like, sold or kept for sale, shall be of first quality,

wholesome and pure, and shall conform in all respects to the Federal, State, Lake County, and

Municipal Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 115310Support Activities for Forestry
• NAICS 237990Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
• NAICS 561720Janitorial Services
• NAICS 721211RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds

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