Request for Proposals
Route 66 Visitors Center Taproom Operator
DATE: 4/20/2022
TO: Invited Parties
FROM: Luis Hernandez Jr. – Executive Director
Luis@wccdg.org | 505.688.4122
SUBJECT: Taproom Operator
The West Central Community Development Group is Extending a Request for proposals for a
Taproom operator proposals from qualified Breweries in the Albuquerque & Surrounding Metro Area.
We are looking for letters of interest and general concepts for the space. Final details and designs are not required for this phase of the process.
The Center
This project is a collaborative effort between Bernalillo County (the County), the City of Albuquerque and local stakeholders, SWAN (Southwest Alliance of Neighbors) and the West Central Community Development Group, to create a space that celebrates Route 66 while serving the local community. The design plans for a 21,000 square foot multipurpose center. It also includes a banquet/event hall, outdoor amphitheater, a Route 66 museum, taproom, gift shop, and administrative offices. The outdoor areas will be utilized for a makeshift drive-in theater, car shows, and other events.
Bernalillo County Commissioners (BCC) have selected West Central Community Development Group (WCCDG) to be the facility operator and manager through a competitive proposal process. While WCCDG is the operator and manager, the County ultimately controls the Route 66 Visitors Center. WCCDG is a nonprofit community development corporation active in the west Albuquerque area.
Taproom
Our Vision for the Taproom
Much more than selling locally brewed beer on Route 66, WCCDG wants a local brewery to create an environment where local customers & national visitors can network with each other in a relaxed environment while enjoying their brewed beer in our taproom and reminiscing the heyday of the Route 66.
Naming and branding is important to the Route 66 Visitors Center and WCCDG and would like the taproom to be named “(Your Brewery) at the Caravan West Taproom” or “The Caravan West by (Your Brewery)”. Before its closing, City Councilor Klarissa Pena, acquired several items from the Caravan East nightclub that will displayed within the taproom, to contribute to the Route 66 environment.
Taproom – A 987 square foot taproom with a 373 square foot outdoor patio, has the potential to be a major draw for both locals and visitors.
· Taproom layout and workflow:
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The bar will contain 6-8 taps on hand for local talent or typical draft beer on tap with a small walk-in cooler (insulated slab on grade & compressor on the roof) and storage area behind the bar.
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Wine. beer and soft drinks will be served.
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Along with food purchased at food trucks, the only food anticipated to be served is food not requiring complex preparation or refrigeration, along with food purchased at food trucks.
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Electrical outlets will be provided to accommodate a microwave, pizza bake oven, food warming case, hot topping station, and popcorn popper, which will be provided by taproom operator.
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The bar countertop will a house bottled beer cooler and bottle well with ice bin, a 4-compartment sink with glass brush washer and blender for wine made cocktails.
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A hand sink will be provided at each end of the bar.
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The storage room will house an ice machine with water filter and ice bin. All soda needs can be met with a soda fountain machine and ice bin (with integral CO2) at the server station, thereby eliminating the need for a CO2 tank and bag in box syrup tank system (soda machine) soda gun system at the bar is not needed for mocktails.
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The taproom will have an additional storage room at the east wall that will house a mop, sink, cleaning supplies, water heater and roof access ladder.
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There will be an ADA height counter at the west end of the bar.
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The design includes a server station to accommodate one roller cart, trash bin and plastic laminate cabinet with stainless steel counter. This area will serve as the employee check-in station with lockable storage for employee belongings.
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A dedicated water station at east end of the room will be plumbed for a cold-water tap.
WCCDG
WCCDG is a nonprofit community development corporation active on the westside of Albuquerque. The purpose of WCCDG is to actively promote and affect the redevelopment and revitalization of the West Central Metropolitan Redevelopment Area and surrounding neighborhoods.
The WCCDG Board of Directors consists of 15 volunteer members. The board of directors represent neighborhood associations, merchants and businesses.
The Rt 66 Visitors Center is a community driven project led by the Southwest Alliance of Neighbors and the West Central Community Development Group, who over the last 28 years advocated and secured public financing from state, county and city government to make the center a reality.
Albuquerque has the longest stretch of the historic mother road in the country, and when operational, the visitor center will have a national presence and locally will further advance economic development on the West Central corridor.
The center will be a catalyst for tourism-related business along West Central. It will help stimulate private and public investment, create jobs and bring greater prosperity to the West Side, and all of Albuquerque.
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The proposal must be received on flash drive in pdf format or via compressed email in pdf format and should not to exceed 40 pages. Information should include:
1. COVER LETTER: Describe interest in opening and operating a taproom and summarizing the major points contained in the proposal.
2. TEAM MEMBERS: Identify each team member and the point of contact. Include contact information for each team member (address, telephone, email).
3. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE OF TEAM MEMBERS: Identify applicable team experience in brewing/taproom operations and management.
4. BREWING: Provide resume and two references for each team member that will be involved with the brewing aspect of the business. Describe successes and/or failures of team members in the brewing industry. Describe the products that will be served and, where it will be brewed. Describe how quality, unique, tasteful beer to the average customer will be brewed. Describe the willingness to brew beer specific to the tap room to create exclusivity?
5. TAPROOM: Provide resume and two references for each team member that will be involved with the operation and management of the taproom. Describe any successes and/or failures of team members in the taproom/pub/night club industry.
6. BUSINESS PLAN: Provide project development costs, project proforma with estimated revenues and expenses, and financing strategy. Include capital required to develop and operate, and key assumptions in financial analysis. Discuss short and long term vision as related to industry trends.
7. FINANCIAL CAPACITY AND INSURANCE: Provide evidence that you have the capacity to secure financial commitments to construct interior building improvements that will bolster and highlight the historic character of Route 66. Provide evidence that you have the capacity to secure all applicable insurance (see Attachment A), including but not limited to your own property, equipment, and any/all other legal liability.
8. INDEMNIFICATION. User shall, to the fullest extent permitted by laws of the State of New Mexico, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless West Central Community Development Group, the County of Bernalillo, their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, and volunteers, from and against any and all actions, suits, claims, demands, losses, costs, penalties, errors, omissions, or liabilities, including legal costs, attorney’s fees, and expert witness fees, whether or not suit is actually filed, and/or any judgment rendered against West Central Community Development Group and/or County of Bernalillo, that may be asserted or claimed by any person, firm or entity arising out of User’s prior or current use, activities or from the conduct of its business or from any activity, work, or other things done, permitted or suffered by User in or about the Site. This indemnity and hold harmless provision shall exclude actions, liabilities, claims, losses, damages, or expenses arising out of the sole negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of West Central Community Development Group and/or County of Bernalillo. User’s obligations as set forth herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement for the maximum period permitted by law.
9. MARKETING: provide marketing plan with examples of marketing to locals and tourists. Describe planned participation in local, regional, and other events. How you will use social media to promote the taproom brand.
The final decision of the selection of the taproom will be made by the WCCDG Board of Directors and approved by the County. Final agreement will be in the form of a written contract following the standard agreement form used by WCCDG and approved by the County. Such agreement will be subject to certain terms and conditions set for the in the agreements between WCCDG and the County.
WCCDG will look forward to receiving your proposals on or before Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Direct all questions and correspondence to Luis Hernandez Jr, 505-688-4122, luis@wccdg.org, 5921 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. Contacting the County or City of Albuquerque personnel regarding this RFP during the preliminary discussion may be grounds for elimination from the selection process.