RFP - Traditional Feast Caterer

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

Request for Professional Services: Traditional Feast Caterer

September 20, 2025

Qualifications desired will be individual(s) or a staffed catering service with the following: current Grand Traverse Band health permit to serve food, W-9, and demonstrated ability to service groups of at least 300-500 people. Please note the deadline to respond to this Request for Proposal (RFP) is August 21, 2025.

The selected Vendor will provide food service for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians (GTB) Natural Resources Department (NRD) Fall Gathering on Saturday, September 20, 2025 located at the Arthur Duhamel Marina in Peshawbestown, MI. The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM with a 12:00 PM feast time. The selected Vendor shall provide table service for no less than 500 individuals and be responsible for developing a traditional menu for the same amount of people using traditional Odawa/Ojibwe foods. The Vendor shall submit one proposal outlining their experience in food service and traditional meals along with an example menu for this event. The cost proposal shall be in a separate sealed envelope included with the overall proposal. The Vendor shall provide all required equipment to cook, process, and warm all food. GTB will supply on-site electricity. Vendor must furnish certificate of liability insurance and worker's comp (if applicable) upon request.

1. Description of the meal

Selected Vendor shall work with the NRD staff to develop a traditional feast menu by Thursday, September 4, 2025. Example of the menu shall be as follows: wild rice casserole dish, potato dish, warm vegetable such as corn and/or squash, fry bread, fruit (melon is ok), dessert dish (cake or pie), garden salad & dressing, tea and coffee (and cups), all condiments. These "core" dishes shall be required, and anything further added to the menu by the Vendor is acceptable. GTB will supply all table ware including food containers or plates, disposable silverware, napkins and cups.

1. Items provided by the GTB NRD

GTB NRD shall provide the venison and/or buffalo in bulk (roasts, steak cuts, etc.) form to the selected Vendor by Thursday, September 11, 2025. This meat may or may not be in frozen form. GTB NRD will also be requesting Pepsi or Coke products from the Local Distributor and may be able to provide these refreshments. In any case the Vendor must provide coffee and hot or cold tea. On-site trash facilities (dumpster) will be provided for waste disposal.

1. Additional Requirements

• Food allergies should be considered when planning the menu. The vendor should be able to provide information about specific ingredients such as nuts, soy, dairy, etc.

Evaluation of RFP Respondents:

• Qualifications: Years of experience in food service (40 points)
• References: Success and Relevancy of Previous Experience (25 points)
• Experience catering Native American foods (15 points)
• Native American-owned Business (20 points)

Mailing address, deadline and submittal details for responding:

• Proposals must be received by GTB by 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Proposals received after this time will not be evaluated.
• Three copies of the proposal shall be submitted.
• The cost proposal shall be submitted in a sealed envelope separate from the narrative summary of food service experience and example menu. The bottom left-hand corner of the envelope should read Traditional Feast Caterer.
• Electronic or facsimile of the proposal will not be accepted.

Proposals should be mailed to or hand-delivered to:

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

NRD Food Services RFP

Attn: Government Accounting

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

2605 N. West Bayshore Drive

Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Dan Mays at 231-534-7291. Conforming submissions will be unsealed at 9 am on Monday, August 25, 2025 in the GTB Accounting Department. Vendor selection will be made no later than September 1, 2025 and the vendor will be notified by telephone by the same date.

Current Openings for RFP Traditional Feast Caterer Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians