Central Ohio Transit Authority - 2026 Holiday Luncheon Catering Services - 2026-RFP-065
Central Ohio Transit AuthorityPublic Authority · Columbus, OH- Due
- Nov 9, 2026
- 12 days left
- Posted
- Oct 15, 2026
- Primary contact
- Terra Logan
- (614) 275-5851
The 30-second brief
This RFP seeks a qualified catering partner to plan, coordinate, and execute the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Holiday Luncheon, a complex three-day event consisting of four serving periods across three locations in Columbus, OH. The selected contractor will be responsible for event execution, including staffing, food preparation, transportation, setup, hot meal and beverage service, replenishment, breakdown, and cleanup across seven location-specific service assignments for approximately 1,300 estimated meals. Vendors must propose a standardized menu including two meat entrées, one vegetarian entrée, three side dishes, one salad, two desserts, and two beverages, along with gluten-free and allergen identification and a pre-selection tasting session for up to ten attendees. Submission deadline is November 9, 2026, with a notice of interest deadline on October 26, 2026. Proposals are evaluated based on qualifications, event execution and logistics, menu and dietary accommodations, food safety, and cost.
Company qualifications, References, A detailed event execution and staffing plan, Pricing proposal, Final invoicing
Qualifications and relevant catering experience (20%), Event execution, logistics, and staffing (25%), Proposed menu and dietary accommodations (15%), Food safety, quality control, and contingencies (15%), Cost (25%)
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Summary
This RFP seeks a qualified catering partner to plan, coordinate, and execute the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Holiday Luncheon, a complex three-day event consisting of four serving periods across three locations in Columbus, OH. The selected contractor will be responsible for event execution, including staffing, food preparation, transportation, setup, hot meal and beverage service, replenishment, breakdown, and cleanup across seven location-specific service assignments for approximately 1,300 estimated meals.
Vendors must propose a standardized menu including two meat entrées, one vegetarian entrée, three side dishes, one salad, two desserts, and two beverages, along with gluten-free and allergen identification and a pre-selection tasting session for up to ten attendees. Submission deadline is November 9, 2026, with a notice of interest deadline on October 26, 2026. Proposals are evaluated based on qualifications, event execution and logistics, menu and dietary accommodations, food safety, and cost.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
5- Company qualifications
- References
- A detailed event execution and staffing plan
- Pricing proposal
- Final invoicing
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
6- Form W-9
- Affidavit Regarding Delinquent Taxes
- Affidavit Regarding Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension
- Affidavit Regarding Non-Collusion
- Affidavit Regarding Restrictions on Lobbying
- COTA Vendor Cybersecurity Questionnaire
- Submit to
- https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cota/projects/314369/document?projectId=2026-RFP-065
- Scope location
- Columbus, OH
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Central Ohio Transit Authority?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 9, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cota/projects/314369/document?projectId=2026-RFP-065. For questions, contact Terra Logan.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Central Ohio Transit Authority in OH, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Terra Logan at (614) 275-5851. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Company qualifications, References, A detailed event execution and staffing plan, Pricing proposal, Final invoicing. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Qualifications and relevant catering experience (20%), Event execution, logistics, and staffing (25%), Proposed menu and dietary accommodations (15%), Food safety, quality control, and contingencies (..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Central Ohio Transit Authority?
All active and historical solicitations from Central Ohio Transit Authority are tracked and searchable. As a public authority agency, Central Ohio Transit Authority regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 9, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Form W-9, Affidavit Regarding Delinquent Taxes, Affidavit Regarding Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, Affidavit Regarding Non-Collusion, Affidavit Regarding Restrictions on Lobbying, COTA Vend. Review the full document from Central Ohio Transit Authority for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Columbus, OH. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.