Dining Service Operations for SDBOR Institutions

The South Dakota Board of Regents is seeking a qualified food service management company to serve as the exclusive provider of dining services for six public universities: Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and the University of South Dakota. The scope of work includes operating all-you-care-to-eat facilities, branded or franchise concepts, quick-service venues, and catering services, with optional consideration for university centers in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. The contract term is five years, beginning July 1, 2027, with an option to renew for four additional one-year periods. Proposals are due by October 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time and must be submitted as signed PDFs via email or electronic media to the designated point of contact, Jessica Preister. Selection is based on a weighted scoring system prioritizing the quality of the dining experience, operational expertise, student affordability, and revenue-sharing commissions. The top two ranked offerors for each institution will be required to deliver formal face-to-face presentations. Key requirements for the contractor include maintaining at least $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance, ensuring ADA and PCI-DSS compliance, and adhering to APPA cleaning standards. Additionally, the contractor must provide clear nutrition and allergen labeling and ensure that all proposed investments and buyouts are fully amortized within the initial five-year term. All communications must be routed exclusively through the designated RFP contact to maintain the integrity of the process.