The Journal

Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: News

Patrons enjoy the recently-renovated Marletto's dining hall in the fall of 2004. Sodexho, Webster University's food service contractor, is competing with Chartwells to continue its contract.

Webster's food service contract with Sodexho expires this summer, and the process to determine who will be granted the new contract is underway. The Campus Dining Services Request for Proposal Committee is in charge of interviewing and assessing the various proposals from the food service companies and making recommendations to the administration on which to pick.

The RFP committee has narrowed it down to two companies: Webster's current food service provider, Sodexho, and Chartwells, which has food service contracts with the University of Missouri - St. Louis and St. Louis University.

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Ted Hoef is chair of the committee.

"In April, we will combine the review of their proposals with the feedback from the presentations … and make our recommendation," Hoef said. "The Administrative Council will make its decision sometime in April."

The new contract will last five years, starting June 1.

Gabe Bullard, sergeant-at-arms for the Student Government Association and an RFP committee member, said the group has also participated in on-site visits, where people from the committee have gone to UMSL and SLU to observe the food service providers at their other locations.

"People from the committee are going to check out the other providers to see them in action," Bullard said.

Bullard also said it's important to see the companies in an environment where they're not involved in a competitive process.

"It's good to see them after they've been (at a school) for a while," Bullard said. "Because who knows, they could just be giving you a great proposal (to impress us.)"

In addition to visiting other schools, committee members might visit other restaurants the companies have franchised out.

"We're going to standalone places that have a particular brand that (the companies) say they might bring in," said John Ginsburg, director of the University Center and student activities. "For example, like Blimpie's. That's a branded concept that Sodexho has franchised out."

Ginsburg said Chartwells or Sodexho might consider bringing in a new restaurant.

"If the company proposed, 'Hey, instead of Blimpie's you should have another resaurant,' we'd just go to that restaurant and try it out," Ginsburg said.

Students interested in influencing the process have an opportunity March 8 when both providers will be on campus presenting their ideas for Webster. Booths will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UC Commons.

"We've asked them to set up a booth to provide highlights of their proposals," Hoef said. "We'll also ask them to provide some small, free, food samples."

Hoef said the presentations are open to students, faculty and staff and they encourage everyone to attend.

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