PILLAR: Core
AGENDA DATE: January 14, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 3
DEPARTMENT: Office of Procurement Services
PRIORITY: Targeted Economic Growth
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a conditional grant agreement, in accordance with the Economic Development Incentive Policy, for a term of one year for food truck incubator program services with: (1) Impact Ventures Accelerator dba Impact Ventures in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 subject to annual appropriations to primarily operate in Council District 3; and (2) Oak Cliff Empowered, Inc in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 subject to annual appropriations to primarily operate in Council District 1, respectively, to be administered by the Office of Economic Development - most advantageous proposers of three - Total amount not to exceed $250,000.00 - Financing: ARPA Redevelopment Fund
*In alignment with Economic Development Incentive Policy.
Body
BACKGROUND
On January 14, 2026, the City Council will consider authorization of a District Food Truck Incubator Program ("Program") to promote local economic development and stimulate business and commercial activity in the city, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 380, and adoption of the Program as a targeted small business program in accordance with the Incentive Policy.
To facilitate the Program implementation, the City of Dallas issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on June 5, 2025, to identify qualified Program operators. After review and scoring, two separate entities have been qualified operators with one selected for Council District 1 and one selected for Council District 3.
If the Program is adopted, authorization for these agreements will provide for Program development and operator services, primarily in Council Districts 3 and 1, but to benefit the entire city. The agreements will be administered by the Office of Economic Development. The Program will increase food entrepreneurship opportunities in southern Dallas. This Program is designed to assist early-stage and home-based food business operators by providing business education, mobile food unit regulatory compliance training, certifications, and access to licensed food trucks and commissary kitchens. The Program aligns with the City’s small business assistance goals and includes key deliverables such as participant certification, capital readiness, and business formation.
A six-member committee from the following departments reviewed and evaluated the qualifications:
• Department of Code Compliance (1)
• Department of Convention and Event Services (1)
• Office of Economic Development (2)
• Office of Housing and Community Empowerment (1)
• Office of Procurement Services (1)*
*The Office of Procurement Services evaluated cost and local preference, if applicable.
The committee selected the successful respondents on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications under the following criteria:
• Organization capacity 40 points
• Programming and work plan 40 points
• Evaluation plan 10 points
• Cost and budget 10 points
As part of the solicitation process and in an effort to increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services used its procurement system to send out email notifications to vendors registered under relevant commodity codes. To further increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services uses historical solicitation information, the Internet, and vendor contact information obtained from user departments to contact additional vendors.
On November 10, 2015, the City Council authorized a living wage policy that requires contractors to pay their employees a “living wage” rate as established annually by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator for Dallas County by Resolution No. 15-2141. The calculated living wage during the solicitation process of this contract is $22.05; the selected vendor meets this requirement.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 28, 2024, the City Council authorized the transfer and reallocation of ARPA funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the ARPA Redevelopment multi-year fund to provide assistance with completing projects by Resolution No. 24-0315.
The Economic Development Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this item on January 6, 2026.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
ARPA Redevelopment Fund |
$250,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Council District Amount
1 $ 50,000.00
3 $200,000.00
Total $250,000.00
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
Impact Ventures dba Impact Ventures |
Local |
50.00% |
|
Oak Cliff Empowered, Inc. |
Local |
100.00% |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Method of Evaluation for Award Type:
|
Request for |
• Utilized for professional, personal, revenue, and planning services |
|
Proposal |
• Recommended offeror is the responsible offeror whose proposal most closely meets established criteria for the services advertised, based on demonstrated competence and qualifications at a fair and reasonable price |
|
|
• Always involves the evaluation by committee |
|
|
• Allows for negotiation on contract terms, including price |
The Office of Procurement Services received the following proposals from solicitation number BAZ25-00027745. We opened them on July 25, 2025. We recommend the City Council award this service contract to the most advantageous proposers.
*Denotes successful proposers
Proposers Address Score
*Impact Ventures 4621 Ross Ave. 88.00
Accelerator dba Suite #210
Impact Ventures Dallas, TX 75204
*Oak Cliff Empowered, Inc. 7220 South Westmoreland Rd. 81.20
Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75237
Proof Programs 422 East MLK Blvd. 66.00
Chattanooga, TN 37403
OWNERS/EXECUTIVES
Impact Ventures Accelerator dba Impact Ventures
Benjamin J. Vann, Chief Executive Officer
Oak Cliff Empowered, Inc.
Matt Craig, Chairman