REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Ortega Dining Commons Temporary Kitchens

NOTE: Firms are invited to schedule and attend the one-on-one project meeting as described below. Please be advised that BIDS ARE NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  The University of California, Santa Barbara (“University”) hereby requests Expressions of Interest from experienced and qualified companies specializing in the design, supply, and installation of temporary commercial kitchen facilities that comply with all relevant health, safety, and building regulations, and provide efficient, dependable and uninterrupted meal services to meet the University's operational requirements.

In Spring 2026, the University will be initiating construction on a $500M East Campus Student Housing project that will temporarily displace a portion of the University’s dining services. Accordingly, the University will be releasing a bid solicitation in the coming months to qualified firms that provide temporary dining services for the campus community during the forty-one (41) month construction period.  The move from Ortega Dining Commons to the temporary kitchen facility is tentatively scheduled to begin in the Winter 2025 timeframe.  In order to clarify its approach to securing temporary kitchen services, the University would like to set up a series of one-on-one interviews with representatives from qualified firms that provide comparable services to either public or private entities.

ONE-ON-ONE PROJECT DISCUSSION(S): The University is seeking contractor and/or subcontractor participation in a series of scheduled, 90-minute one-on-one project discussion that will be conducted by the University Representative to elicit general feedback regarding current industry standards, concepts and ideas that will be incorporated into the forthcoming bid solicitation for the Ortega Dining commons Temporary Modular Kitchens project.          

The University will use the feedback and comments from industry participants to inform the University’s bid solicitation and contractual instruments associated with the project, thereby clarifying its requirements and facilitating the submission of cost effective and competitive bids from the contracting community.  Note, all firms participating in the one-on-one plan review meetings ARE permitted to bid on the project once it is advertised by the University. 

Interested contractors with relevant qualifications are invited to participate in a scheduled, 90-minute, one-on-one project discussions.  The meetings will be set up by the University Representative, Ashley Cohen-Gray, who will conduct the plan review with individual contractors to obtain maximum input and maintain confidentiality.

DESCRIPTION OF UNIVERSITY DINING PROGRAMS: Temporary kitchen facilities needed for Ortega Dining Takeout Program and Campus Catering during construction of the East Campus Housing project. Ortega is being demolished and all services need to be relocated to a temporary kitchen site(s) to service our students and the campus community. Rented/leased modular kitchens will need to be installed for the duration of the relocation period. The move of operations from the existing building to the temporary facilities will be phased to ensure continuity of services for both Dining Programs are preserved at all times.

UNIVERSITY CONTACT:  If your firm is interested in scheduling a one-on-one project discussion meeting time, please contact the University Representative, Ashley Cohen-Gray, at ashleycohen@ucsb.edu or (805) 448-3485, to set up a Zoom or in-person meeting by Friday, January 31, 2025.