Udall_Coffee_Shop_RFI__11_06_2026_1.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / INDUSTRY DAY

STEWART L. UDALL BUILDING COFFEE SHOP OPERATIONS

Purpose

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors interested in establishing and operating a coffee shop on the basement level of the Stewart L. Udall Building, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

DOI anticipates providing designated space and access to available utilities. The selected operator would be responsible for furnishing equipment, inventory, staffing, supplies, and all other resources necessary to support daily operations. Parking will not be available.

Information collected through this RFI will help DOI assess industry interest, viable business models, facility requirements, and acquisition strategies for a potential future solicitation.

Anticipated operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to refinement based on industry feedback and operational considerations.

This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a solicitation, contract, or commitment by the Government.

Background

DOI is exploring options to provide convenient onsite coffee and light refreshment services for approximately 1,000 building occupants.

The Government seeks industry input on the feasibility of operating a retail coffee shop within a federal facility under a concession-style model in which DOI provides space and utilities and the vendor operates the business at its own expense and risk.

Facility details, available square footage, occupancy levels, visitor access, existing food-service arrangements, and building restrictions will be finalized prior to any future solicitation.

Respondents are encouraged to identify additional information needed to evaluate commercial viability.

Service Model

DOI is considering a vendor-operated coffee shop offering direct-to-customer sales, including:

• Freshly brewed coffee, espresso beverages, tea, and other nonalcoholic drinks;

• Pastries, breakfast items, packaged snacks, and light food options;

• Point-of-sale systems and cashless payment capabilities; and

• Daily opening, closing, stocking, cleaning, and customer service functions.

The operator would be responsible for staffing, inventory management, pricing, customer transactions, and overall business operations, subject to the terms of any future agreement.

DOI seeks feedback regarding the practicality of the proposed operating hours and whether alternative or phased schedules should be considered.

Required Capabilities

Interested respondents should demonstrate their ability to:

• Operate a customer-facing coffee shop or similar food-and-beverage retail business;

• Provide and maintain commercial equipment, inventory, supplies, and point-of-sale systems;

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise staff for weekday operations;

• Maintain compliance with applicable food safety, sanitation, licensing, and permitting requirements;

• Manage deliveries, storage, security-related access requirements, and payment processing;

• Ensure service continuity through contingency planning for staffing or equipment disruptions; and

• Provide relevant experience operating in office buildings, government facilities, campuses, or similar environments.

Facility Information and Government-Furnished Support

Services would be provided on the basement level of the Stewart L. Udall Building, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Subject to confirmation and applicable approvals, DOI anticipates providing:

1. Designated basement-level space, including an existing service counter;

2. Access to existing utilities, including electricity and water; and

3. Coordination regarding building access, facility management, and security requirements.

The vendor would be responsible for all equipment, furnishings, appliances, point-of-sale systems, products, consumables, staffing, maintenance, and other operational needs. Any alterations, installations, signage, storage, or use of Government space would require prior approval.

Response Requirements

Interested firms should address the following:

1. Company Information: Business name, address, point of contact, email, telephone number, business size, and relevant experience.

2. Products and Services: Proposed beverage and food offerings, operating approach, food-service qualifications, and examples of similar operations.

3. Staffing and Scheduling: Ability to support weekday operations, estimated staffing levels, treatment of federal holidays and facility closures, and any recommended alternative schedules.

4. Business and Financial Model: Recommended concession or operating structure, primary revenue sources, ability to operate without direct Government subsidy, minimum customer-volume assumptions, and approaches to pricing and fees.

5. Facility and Utility Requirements: Space, utility, storage, food preparation, ventilation, delivery access, waste management, and startup improvement requirements.

6. Startup and Mobilization: Estimated implementation timeline and any licensing, permitting, inspection, insurance, security, or staffing dependencies.

7. Value-Added Services: Cashless payment options, mobile ordering, grab-and-go offerings, sustainability initiatives, or other enhanced services.

8. Risks and Considerations: Commercial viability factors, assumptions, constraints, information requirements, and recommendations for a future solicitation.

Industry Feedback Requested

DOI welcomes feedback regarding:

• The feasibility of a vendor-funded operation in a federal facility where DOI provides space and utilities;

• Typical transaction volumes, sales levels, or occupancy needed to support operations;

• The practicality of the proposed operating hours;

• Startup costs, equipment ownership considerations, installation requirements, and mobilization timelines;

• Appropriate concession, lease, or revenue-sharing arrangements;

• The impact of holidays, telework patterns, facility closures, and access restrictions; and

• Information DOI should provide in a future solicitation.

Industry Day and Submission Information

DOI plans to host an Industry Day on November 19, 2026 at 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Interested businesses should submit an RSVP and Capability Statement by November 13, 2026 to clements_proposal_submissions@ibc.doi.gov.

DOI is not obligated to issue a solicitation or award a contract as a result of this RFI. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing submissions or participating in Industry Day activities.

mailto:clements_proposal_submissions@ibc.doi.gov