September 20, 2024

Contact:
Lara Arsinian, DEO Communications
press@opportunity.lacounty.gov

LA County Seeks Proposals for the Design and Manufacture of Food Carts to Support the County’s Sidewalk Vending Program

Los Angeles, CA – The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is inviting manufacturers, engineers, and authorized resellers to become a vendor with the County and submit bids for the design, manufacture, and delivery of food vending carts. DEO will be purchasing a minimum of 180 food vending carts, including integrated grill carts, hot-holding carts, prepackaged food carts, and cut fruit carts, approved by the Department of Public Health and in compliance with the California Retail Food Code. The Request for Bid (RFB) is now open and can be accessed here.

DEO’s Office of Small Business and partners will distribute the new carts to sidewalk vendors in the Unincorporated Areas of LA County at no-cost, supporting economic opportunity and compliance for micro-entrepreneurs as part of its new Sidewalk Vending Program.

“As we work to create a vibrant and equitable economic landscape, we recognize the essential role that sidewalk vendors play in enriching our communities and providing diverse food options. To that end, we invite interested parties to participate in this opportunity and contribute to the vibrancy of our local economy,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “We understand that compliance can sometimes be challenging, which is why we are providing a select number of carts to vendors operating in our unincorporated areas at no cost. By fostering a supportive environment, we aim to empower vendors to operate with confidence and succeed in their business endeavors.”

“Today, we are releasing the Request for Bids for sidewalk vending cart manufacturers to submit their designs for potential purchase by LA County as we work to bring more vendors into compliance with our Street Vending Ordinance,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “We’re investing in 180 permitted carts to support our hardworking street vendors by providing access to safe, compliant equipment that meets health and safety standards. This is a key step in our commitment to uplifting micro-entrepreneurs and ensuring that every vendor has the tools they need to thrive in our local economy. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive county for all.”

“Food carts are beloved in neighborhoods across LA County and sidewalk vending offers these entrepreneurs a way to put food on the table. But for too long many have operated on the margins of our economy,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We want to bring them into the local economy and with new carts that will be fully compliant with state food vending codes, we’re helping accomplish that.”

“I am eager to see our County’s food vendor support program hit the ground,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We are building up our infrastructure to provide tailored support and this request for food cart bids is an example of that. I encourage any entity that can provide that service at a competitive price to apply as soon as possible.”

“Now that our Sidewalk Vending Program is live, DEO will continue to do everything we can to support vending as an entrepreneurial pathway to economic mobility, especially for historically disinvested business owners, while also promoting compliant vending that serves all of our communities – including our vendors, brick and mortars, and residents,” says Kelly LoBianco, Director of Department of Economic Opportunity. “No cost registration, subsidies for food vendors, and 180 carts for community are the first step in making sure we support a vibrant, new, and community-serving open-air economy.”

Potential bidders can get started by registering at doingbusiness.lacounty.gov and should make note of the following dates and regulations:

• Bid Closing Date: October 15^th, 2024 at 5 pm
• Submission of Questions:
  • Written Questions Due Friday, September 27^th, 2024 at 12 pm
  • Written Questions Released on Monday, September 30^th, 2024 at 5 pm
• Non-Mandatory, Virtual Bidder’s Conference: Thursday, September 26^th, 2024 at 10 am to 11 am
  • Register at: bit.ly/SVBiddersConference
  • Recording of the conference will be available on DEO’s Sidewalk Vending webpage: bit.ly/SidewalkVendors
• Submission Requirements:
  • Cart blueprints must be approved by Public Health by the time of award.
    • Watch a training video by DPH here.
    • For questions on how to get a Standard Plan with a blueprint approved, prospective bidders can visit bit.ly/DPHCartPlanCheck and/or contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Mobile Food Program by phone (626) 430-5560 or email PlanCheck_Food@ph.lacounty.gov.

Made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act, DEO is investing $2.5 million into cart production through this RFB and other pilot initiatives including an additional $1.6 million from the City of Los Angeles to expand future cart purchase efforts as well as subsidy programs and flexible cash assistance programs in the coming year.

DEO’s Sidewalk Vending Program, authorized by the LA County Board of Supervisors through the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance on February 6^th, 2024 and effective as of August 4th, requires all vendors operating in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County to acquire a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) – offered at no-cost in the first year of the program. The Ordinance codifies State law allowing local jurisdictions to create Sidewalk Vending Programs, decriminalizing and offering pathways for vendors into the formal economy for the first time.

The program also provides clear rules and regulations for operating a roaming or stationary vending business, one-on-one assistance for vendors in need of help registering, and a care first support for compliance with the new law. In addition, DEO and the Department of Public Health are also offering 75% subsidy on Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFO) permits for vendors who need a health permit prior to obtaining their SVRC, which became available for public registration at no cost as of September 5^th.

Vendors are encouraged to visit bit.ly/SidewalkVendors for guidance and access to application guidance toolkits and video tutorials as well as in-person and virtual registration events in English and Spanish. To access the RFB, visit here.

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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life changing opportunities, and is also home to the Office of Small Business, LA County’s one-stop shop dedicated to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.