The administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida approve the City Manager’s recommendation pertaining to the bids received, pursuant to ITB 2018-085-ZD, Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) Food Service Equipment.

The Miami Beach Convention Center’s (MBCC) renovation will incorporate a robust portable food cart program to accommodate the food and beverage (F&B) needs of its customers.  The portable food carts are designed in a manner that allows the Convention Center to tailor its food program for the demographics of each show. To do this, a number of types of equipment are necessary for food carts to be fully functional, including microwave ovens, grills, toasters, fryers, woks, hot dog machines, and warming trays. All of the equipment to be procured within this bid will be utilized in conjunction with the portable food carts. The equipment can be mixed and matched to allow the Convention Center to accommodate any type of food service that its needs to offer.  In turn, this allows MBCC to change each of the cart offerings to be in line with the demographics and sales for any show.  The carts were designed to handle all types of the referenced equipment expanding the ability to create new and exciting cuisine types – turning typical convention center dining into a true culinary experience.

ITB PROCESS

ITB No. 2018-085-ZD was issued on January 2, 2018, with a bid opening date of February 1, 2018. One (1) addendum was issued. The Procurement Department issued bid notices to 159 companies utilizing www.publicpurchase.com website.  Sixty-four (64) prospective bidders accessed the advertised solicitation. The notices resulted in the receipt of five (5) bids from: Chef’s Depot, Inc., Douglas Food Stores, Inc., K2 Evolution, LLC., Sam Tell and Son, Inc., and W.H. Reynolds Distributor, LLC. See tabulation sheet (Attachment A).

The bid submittals from all bidders complied with the bid submittal requirements as stated in the ITB and, accordingly, all bidders have been deemed responsive and responsible. Where alternate products were offered, the requesting department has verified compliance with specifications. As part of its due diligence, the Procurement Department reviewed and verified the references provided by all of the bidders recommended for award. The client references provided positive feedback with regards to the bidders’ ability to supply the specified high quality products and services, provide excellent customer service, prompt deliveries, and expedited problem resolutions. Where alternate products were offered, the requesting department has verified compliance with specifications.

The ITB stated that the lowest responsive, responsible bidder meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB would be recommended for award as deemed in the best interest of the City.  The lowest bidder for each item is as follows:

Below is a brief summary of the companies and breakdown for award of each of the items.

Chef’s Depot, Inc.

According to the information provided by Chef’s Depot, its goal is to provide its customers with excellent service and dedication to perfection, while expanding and innovating within the food service industry.  Its overriding principle, as an upstart in 1999 and today, is to work with each customer every step of the way to help them meet their individual foodservice goals in the most practical, time efficient, and cost effective manner. Some of the client segments it works along with are: healthcare, educational facilities, supermarkets, and hospitality restaurants. Its main capabilities include: distribution, custom fabrication, design execution, and logistics and installation.

Douglas Food Stores, Inc.

According to the information provided by Douglas Food Stores, it was established in 1986 and today is amongst one of the top 100 food service equipment distributors in America, supplying customers with a wide range of products. Douglas Equipment was founded on the principles of honesty and integrity and continues to operate on these values. It works with its customers to provide the highest quality products available. Some of the client segments it works along with are: restaurants, convenience stores, government institutions, public and private schools, and any facility in need of commercial food service equipment. Its main capabilities include: consultation, sales, delivery and installation. Amongst its most recent achievements is the receipt of Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine’s Top 100 Distribution Giant from 2013-2016.

Sam Tell & Son, Inc.

According to the information provided by Sam Tell and Son, it was founded in 1956 by a father and son team. The Sam Tell Companies have grown to be preeminent among the nation’s largest restaurant and food service equipment and supplies dealerships.  It has grown from a modest two-man operation to their current stature of over seventy-five (75) employees with two locations: their corporate office and 75,000 square foot warehouse located in Farmingdale, N.Y. and their design showroom in New York City. The knowledge and experience of an empowered staff allows them to provide superior customer service in the industry.  This reputation and the pursuit of outstanding service, enable Sam Tell to continue to be a leader in the food service industry. It was recently ranked 30 on the Food Service Equipment & Supplies Top 100 Suppliers. The company motto “Design, Build, Supply” exemplifies all of the services that Sam Tell offers their customers.

W.H. Reynolds Distributors, LLC.

According to the information provided by W.H. Reynolds Distributors, since its inception in 2000, it has offered foodservice operators an unparalleled level of service by combining the hands-on support and local market knowledge of a strong regional supplier with the purchasing strength, industry expertise, and delivery and installation capabilities of a national company. It works closely with its customers who include national restaurant chains, independent restaurant operators, healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, to provide the products and services that will help them operate more efficiently and realize better bottom line results. Their vision is to be their customer’s single source for the most advanced capabilities in the following areas: small wares & equipment distribution, multi-unit & national chain fulfillment, kitchen design, interior design & engineering, and custom fabrication, project management, & installation.

After considering the bids received and staff's evaluation, pursuant to ITB 2018-085-ZD, I recommend that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, approve the award of items 1 and 6 to Sam Tell & Son, Inc., items 2 and 5 to Douglas Food Stores, Inc., items 3 and 4 to V.H. Reynolds Distributor, LLC, and item 7 to Chef's Depot; and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contracts.