January 13, 2022
EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking responses from third-party providers for the provision of ancillary retail food services (cafeterias and retail food service outlets) that are currently provided in-house.
Currently, 40 per cent of AHS’ ancillary retail food services is contracted to third parties. The sites that will transition to a third party as a part of this RFP are: Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital and Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Calgary, as well as the University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.
“The revenue generated at retail food service outlets does not cover their operating costs, so AHS is subsidizing these services using finite healthcare dollars,” says AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu. “Contracting out retail food services could provide $3 million per year in revenue that will be used to support core clinical services.”
AHS anticipates this RFP process will take approximately four months, including a full review of all proposals received. The timeline for implementation will depend on the successful third-party vendor(s) selected.
“Through this RFP process, AHS is providing all potential vendors with a fair and transparent process to share proposals for the provision of ancillary retail food services at the sites where services are currently being provided in-house,” says Mauro Chies, Vice President, Cancer Care Alberta and Clinical Support Services. “Throughout the process, AHS will ensure that decisions are made with quality in mind.”
This transition will impact approximately 240 full-time, part time and casual employees, and AHS is committed to working with them and their union throughout this process. AHS anticipates there will be opportunities for employment with the new vendor(s).
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
