UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA (UNECA)

Department of Operational Support | Office of Supply Chain Management

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Date: 9 July 2026

Reference: RFIUNECA24544 

INVITATION TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Subject: Provision of Food and Beverage Services across UNECA Headquarters, including Cafeteria, Conference Catering, Café/Bistro, and Delegate Hospitality Outlets

To: All Interested Catering and Hospitality Service Providers

Dear Sir/Madam,

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) hereby invites your company to submit expressions of interest and market feedback for the provision of comprehensive Food and Beverage Services at the UNECA Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

1. Purpose and Scope

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for information and planning purposes to conduct market research. UNECA is looking to evaluate market capabilities, determine commercial viability, and obtain industry feedback on the most appropriate operational and procurement structure for our diverse food and beverage ecosystem.

The selected operator(s) will be expected to manage a multi-location, multi-concept footprint serving VIPs, diplomats, international conference delegates, and over 22 UN agencies. The ecosystem includes:

• UNCC Cafeteria and Conference Catering (High-volume buffet lunches, synchronized coffee breaks, and cocktail receptions).

• Africa Hall & Visitor Centre (Mixed-service conference catering and a public-facing, high-quality café/light food operation).

• Express Café / Press Bar Services (High-speed, quick-service retail counters).

• Delegates Bar / Premium Bistro-Lounge (Premium restaurant and hospitality service).

The physical infrastructure features two (2) heavy-duty industrial kitchens and three (3) small-scale localized kitchens.

2. Submission Requirements

Interested vendors are requested to organize their responses explicitly under the following sections, as detailed in the attached document:

• Section A: Company Profile, Capabilities, and UNGM Registration Status.

• Section B: Technical & Operational Feedback (Peak-load management, supply chain, food safety baselines like HACCP/ISO 22000, and staffing).

• Section C: Commercial & Financial Models (Preferred lease/concession structures and pricing strategies).

• Section D: Procurement Structure and Lotting Strategy (Feedback on bundling vs. separating outlets into distinct lots).

3. Critical Information & Dates

• Closing Date for Receipt of RFI: 17 July 2026

• Electronic Submission Link: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/306770 

• Attention / Contact Persons: Ms. Etsegenet Teka and Ms. Rachael Chironga

• E-mail Addresses: etsegenet.argaw@un.org ; rachael.chironga@un.org 

4. Important Notices

• Registration: While United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) registration is not mandatory to respond to this RFI, vendors are strongly encouraged to register at least at Level 1 to be eligible for any potential future solicitations.

• Disclaimer: This RFI does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment to implement a procurement process, nor does it bind the UN or UNECA to issue a contract or cover any costs incurred during submission preparation.

We highly value your industry expertise and look forward to receiving your strategic feedback.

Sincerely,

Office of Supply Chain Management

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)