Mason begins work on new dining contract

Sodexo and Chartwells are competing for the new dining contract (Images courtesy of Sodexo and Chartwells).

Headway is being made in the process to finalize a new George Mason University dining contract.

Mason’s Dining Services Request for Proposals committee has reached a confidential decision regarding to whom they will grant the 5-year contract. Dining companies Sodexo and Chartwells are competing for the contract.

According to Mark Kraner, executive director of retail operations, the decision cannot be made public until after the contract has been written, reviewed and completed by Mason’s bond council and legal services.

“Announcing the decision before a contract is presented would violate contract liability,” Kraner said.

Although Kraner admitted contract completion will take as long as necessary, he estimated that the contract would be presented to the selected company by the beginning of March.

After the contract is presented, negotiations between the two begin, and the decision can be made public.

Every five years the dining contract can be up for bid. However, Mason does offer an extension of five years to a contract depending on agreements. A company can go up to 10 years without having to bid on a contract.

Sodexo has been working with Mason for 25 years. This year their contract ran out and they were required to present a new vision to the university in December. This time Sodexo competed for the contract against the company Chartwells.

Kraner said both companies presented very similar options to the university, and the major differences were the choices of retail chains, such as Chipotle and Denny’s, and a slight difference in sustainability figures.

The new contract with the selected company will begin July 1, 2013.