Application for operation of the potato booth at the New York State Fair, Space #1, located in the Horticulture Building

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of the State Fair (“the Department”) is seeking applications for the operation of the Potato Booth for the 2026 Great New York State Fair (“the Fair”). The Potato Booth, famous for its one dollar ($1.00) baked potato, is located in the Horticulture Building, and has been a popular and long-standing tradition at the Fair since 1841. Over the 13 days of the 2025 Fair, over 70,000 people were served at the Potato Booth. The 2026 Fair will be held August 26, 2026 through September 7, 2026. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND SCORING/SELECTION CRITERIA Applications will be reviewed, and selection will be made using a scoring process based on the following criteria: i. Rendering and Description of Booth Concept (Maximum 5 points) · As noted above, the Potato Booth will be co-branded as New York State Grown & Certified (“NYS G&C”) in conjunction with the selected applicant’s branding displayed in conspicuous areas around the booth. NYS G&C will design and install a mural on the entry side of the interior of the Potato Booth and will provide promotional materials for the Potato Booth (including the exterior facing windows). Taste NY will permit the selected applicant to use the logo on menu boards where appropriate and as approved by the Department. Please see Exhibit 4 for the NYS Grown & Certified Style Guide (PDF) for reference on styles and colors used in NYS G&C activations available. Provide a detailed description of how the applicant will utilize display areas in conjunction with NYS G&C to advertise product offerings and pricing. This should include a sample of wall decor, hanging menus, and glass clings. · Attach a professional sketch of the applicant’s proposed exhibit space including layout design, dimensions, seating arrangements, kitchen area, and service areas. Please attach photographs to the application where indicated. · Provide a detailed description of how the applicant’s proposed design layout will allow for flow, be visually appealing, provide unique or signature offerings, and create a unique experience or atmosphere for fairgoers. Include sample menu as well as a description of how the applicant intends to serve clients efficiently and effectively during heavy traffic times. ii. References (Maximum 2 points) · Provide two references who can attest to the applicant’s ability to run an operation of this scale, including those of other fairs, events, and shows. References should be for services provided at other fairs, events, or shows that lasted at least seven (7) days and operated at least ten (10) hours each day. · References should include contact information including name, phone number, email, job title, and a description of the services provided. · New York State Fair staff cannot be used as a valid reference. · To receive a point per reference, each listed reference must be reachable by phone or email using the information provided by the applicant. If references cannot be immediately reached with the information provided, they will have five (5) business days to respond to the evaluation committee’s request for information. If they cannot be reached, or five (5) business days pass without a response from the reference, no points will be awarded. The Department will contact the references to verify the information and quality of service provided. iii. New York Based Business (Maximum 2 points) · Businesses that are owned and operated in New York will receive 2 points. iv. Years of Experience Presenting Product or Show (Maximum 3 points) · Vendor applicants who have continually participated in the NYS Fair for 1-4 years will receive 1 point. · Vendor applicants who have continually participated in the NYS Fair for 5-9 years will receive 2 points. · Vendor applicants who have continually participated in the NYS Fair for 10+ years will receive 3 points. v. Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) and/or Service – Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (“SDVOB”) (Maximum 2 points) Indicate whether the applicant is a registered M/WBE or SDVOB. One point will be allotted for each designation. vi. Staffing and Service Plan (Maximum 5 points) · Provide a proposed staffing plan. The plan should include the number of employees scheduled for each shift, rotations, and staff and supervisor titles and responsibilities. The staffing plan should also indicate how the applicant will handle day-to-day operations and peak traffic times. Additionally, the staffing plan should describe how the applicant previously managed an operation of comparable size. · Provide a service plan including how customers will be processed for maximum efficiency, and how the applicant intends to ensure that areas will be kept clean and orderly to comply with NYS Department of Health standards. In the event of a tie score during the evaluation process, the application that is submitted first will be awarded the contract. The submission time will be determined based on the timestamp recorded upon receipt of the applications. NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be removed from the selection process. Please ensure that all relevant and correct documents requested in the application are attached. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS The selected vendor will be required to execute a contract with the Department. Please see Exhibit 5 for the Department’s sample contract including Appendix A - Standard Clauses for New York State Contracts; Appendix D - General Conditions; and Appendix G - Beer/Wine/Cider/Distilled Spirits Addendum. Interested parties must complete the application available here: Potato Booth Application - The Great New York State Fair Communication with respect to this procurement initiated by or on behalf of an interested vendor through other than the “Designated Contact Person(s)” identified below may constitute an “impermissible contact” under state law with respect to Procurement Lobbying, and could result in disqualification of that vendor. Any updates or changes will be posted to the New York State Contract Reporter. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 0.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) MBE Goal: 0.00% WBE Goal: 0.00% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contracting goals (DBE) DBE Goal: 0.00%