ATTACHMENT 2 - Sole Source Justification.pdf

This is a Determination & Findings (D&F) document justifying a sole source procurement for the Air Force.

Procurement Overview and Rationale

The Air Force (AFLCMC/PZIBB) is awarding a contract to ESS-ARE-BEE CORPORATION, doing business as Bernstein's Fine Catering, to provide full catering services for the 2026 AFMC International Ball at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF). The contractor must provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and related items necessary to execute the evening catering event. Services include food requisition and preparation, supplies and equipment setup, cooking, serving, food replenishment, and quality control maintenance. The event is expected to host 300-400 attendees, with a subset of 50-100 Official Representation Funds (ORF)-funded guests, with remaining costs covered through personal funds.

Sole Source Justification

The procurement is justified under RFO 12.102(a) (Commercial Products and Services), as only one source is available. The D&F cites cost duplication and operational inefficiencies as primary rationale—awarding to a different contractor would result in substantial cost duplication not recoverable through competition, and utilizing two separate caterers at the space-limited NMUSAF would create unnecessary complications and confusion among staff and high-profile guests. The Contracting Officer is designated as the approval authority for this determination, dated 13 July 2026.