Joint Tourism Committee soliciting proposals for exclusive retail rights located at the Front Royal Visitor’s Center

The Front Royal & Warren County Joint Tourism Committee is soliciting proposals for exclusive retail rights located at the Front Royal Visitor’s Center. The proposal must include and respond to the following scope of services.

1. The retailer will provide a merchandise for sale local to Front Royal and Warren County within a 35-mile radius. Merchandise should include local artists’ and photographer’s works, food items, branded material and other unique items to the Front Royal and Warren County area.
2. The retail selection will include curated items exclusive to Front Royal and Warren County. The vendor must be willing to work with the Tourism Committee, and its contractor operating the Visitor’s Center, on merchandise selection. The Tourism representatives will have the right to approve or disapprove of merchandise to be incorporated for sale in the retail location to ensure quality product.
3. The vendor will provide a cashless payment method at the vendor’s expense.
4. The vendor will provide training to the Front Royal Visitor Center employees on the system and provide seven day a week support when necessary.
5. The Front Royal Tourism Committee nor the employees of the Front Royal Visitor Center will be responsible for merchandise set up, inventory, or monitoring stock.
6. The vendor will maintain the merchandise in an aesthetically pleasing manner neat and updated on a weekly basis.
7. The vendor will provide a monthly report to the Tourism Committee representative on the sale of merchandise and provide suggestions for each season.
8. The merchandise will reflect seasonal changes.
9. The vendor will carry all necessary insurance and provide a current Warren County business license.

All potential vendors must address all the requirements as outlined including the time frame to begin the retail operation at the Visitors’ Center. A business plan for the merchandising must also be included. Bidders will be required to present their business plan and proposal to representatives of the Joint Tourism Committee.

Proposal Format

Respondents are expected to organize their proposal to include:

• Operating model and requirements in response to scope above
• Proposed financial model i.e., lease for square footage or percentage of sales
• Relevant experience
• A minimum of three references

Contract Terms

• 1 year with an option of a 2-year renewal.
• Awarded contractor must be operational at the beginning of the contract start date of 10/18/21.

RFP Timeline

• RFP released: 10/1/21
• Proposals due: 11/12/21
• Interview date: 11/22/21
• Contract begins: 12/1/21
• Contract Initial Term Complete: 12/31/22
• Potential Contract Term Extension through: 12/31/24

Submit Proposals

Bethanie DeRose
Managing Director
Discover Front Royal
To: Bethanie@discoverfrontroyal.com CC: Bethanie.derose@am.jll.com