TITLE
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH UNISON CONSULTING, INC. FOR CONCESSION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
SPECIFICATION NO. P-25006
BODY
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3.a. of the Code of the Chicago Park District (the “Code”), the Director of Purchasing and the Chief Administrative Officer recommend, notwithstanding the lack of complete Economic Disclosure Statements, that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District (the “Board”) authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to enter into a contract (the “Agreement”) with UNISON CONSULTING, INC. (the “Awardee”) for the management of the Park District’s concession program. The Awardee was selected pursuant to a publicly advertised Request for Proposals (“RFP”). No work may commence and no payment shall be made prior to the execution of the written Agreement.
II. Award Information
Awardee: UNISON CONSULTING, INC.
150 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 29, Apt./Suite 2930
Chicago, IL 60601
Company Type: Illinois corporation
Majority Interest: Incomplete Economic Disclosure Statements, see Section V
Contract Period: Five (5) year initial term with one (1) additional four (4) year extension option.
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $5,533,668.00 for the initial five (5) year term. Breakdown of the Annual Management Fee Schedule below for reference:
|
Year 1 |
$1,052,763.00 |
Year 6 (extension) |
$1,191,105.00 |
|
Year 2 |
$1,079,082.00 |
Year 7 (extension) |
$1,220,882.00 |
|
Year 3 |
$1,106,059.00 |
Year 8 (extension) |
TBD |
|
Year 4 |
$1,133,711.00 |
Year 9 (extension) |
TBD |
|
Year 5 |
$1,162,053.00 |
|
|
Compliance
Goals: The Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise participation is in compliance for this proposed contract at 25% MBE and 5% WBE.
Scope of Services: Concession Program Management Districtwide.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to execute the Agreement and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2026
Source of Funds: 001.9310.9310.626035.1.1.1.1
IV. Procurement Information
Specification Number: P-25006
Date Issued: February 3, 2026
Date of Presubmittal Meeting: February 11, 2026
Date Proposals Due: March 17, 2026
Number of Proposals Received: Two (2)
This contract was publicly advertised as a Request for Proposals (“RFP”). A total of two (2) proposals were submitted and were received on the due date and time. The Department of Purchasing (“Purchasing”) reviewed all proposals received and found two (2) proposals to be responsive. The Evaluation Committee (“EC”) was comprised of nine (9) total members: six (6) Park District staff, one (1) non-Park District staff voting members and two (2) Park District staff non-voting members. The EC began its evaluation of the proposal at its first meeting on March 23, 2026, where the non-financial proposal was distributed. The EC met again on March 26, 2026, where the non-financial portion of the proposal was discussed and the financial proposal was distributed. It was decided at the conclusion of this meeting to invite two (2) respondents to provide oral presentations. The oral presentations were held on April 1, 2026 and April 2, 2026 and each session lasted approximately one (1) hour. The EC met once following the oral presentations, and at the end of its meeting the members decided to send a request for a Best and Final Offer to the respondents. Purchasing received the Best and Final Offers on April 7, 2026 and the EC concluded its evaluation by submitting scores to Purchasing in favor of selecting Awardee.
V. Explanation
A concessions manager is needed to manage over 170 facilities and/or grounds that are offered to concessionaires at the Park District for the purpose of selling food and beverage, retail merchandise, and other consumer-related services.
The area of responsibility for the manager of the concession program is districtwide with the exception of the following areas: (i) Soldier Field, (ii) Huntington Bank Pavilion, (iii) Museums in the Parks, (iv) Golf Courses & Driving Ranges, (v) Harbors. The management responsibilities include concession program enhancement, licensing and enforcement, capital improvement oversight, and marketing; as outlined in Chapter IX - Concessions and Food Services of the Code.
The concession program generates approximately $5 million dollars in annual revenue to the Park District.
Awardee has managed the Park District’s concession program since 2021 and brings more than 30 years of experience in concession management and consulting. Most notably, since 2006, Awardee has provided concessions program management and consulting to the Chicago Department of Aviation at both Chicago O’Hare and Midway International airports.
Awardee has a proven record of managing concessions portfolios in a manner that has enhanced customer experience, facilitated concessionaire success, and has resulted in increased Park District revenue. Their approach emphasizes community impact, including opportunities for MBE/WBE business development, workforce training, and broader civic engagement.
Awardee has the experience, capability and personnel necessary to operate the Park District’s concession program. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to award Awardee the contract for the Concession Program Management Districtwide.
The Awardee has submitted an incomplete Economic Disclosure Statement (EDS) which discloses that it is 100% owned by UCG Associates, Inc. An incomplete EDS was received by UCG Associates, Inc. disclosing that it is owned by Paslay Group Acquisition 1, LLC. An incomplete EDS from Paslay Group Acquisition 1, LLC discloses that it is owned by Paslay Group Intermediate, LLC. An incomplete EDS for Paslay Group Intermediate, LLC discloses that it is owned by Keystone Capital Fund III, LP, Keystone Capital Fund III-A, LP and Clay Paslay, an individual. Keystone Capital Fund III, LP and Keystone Capital Fund III-A, LP have provided no Economic Disclosure Statements despite the EDS form’s instructions.
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: No agreement shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105/0.01 et seq.
2) Ethics: The Agreement shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Chapter III of the Code (“Governmental Ethics”).
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i).
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Awardee has not submitted full and completed EDSs prior to submission to the Board.