JOFOC_Signed.pdf

This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition document submitted by the U.S. Department of State's Global Acquisitions office for catering services at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

The procurement involves a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract valued at Euros 226,190.00 with Deipnosofistirion S.A. to provide catering services for the 2026 Independence Day Celebration marking the United States' 250th anniversary of independence. The event will be held on July 2, 2026, from 19:00 to 24:00 at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), specifically at the Lighthouse, Lighthouse Terraces, and Panoramic Steps, and will host 3,000 guests including Greece's distinguished leaders and an A-level musical artist. The contractor must provide passed hors d'oeuvres and themed standing food stations featuring quintessential American foods including barbecue and fast food options, with vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. The contractor is responsible for staffing to serve all 3,000 guests with minimal wait time and providing adequate coverage across multiple event spaces. Beverages will include a wide range of high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Additionally, American companies will provide in-kind donations of American food and beverages to be displayed alongside the contractor's offerings.

The justification cites 41 USC 3304 and FAR 6.103-1 (only one responsible source) as the statutory authority for the sole-source award. Deipnosofistirion is the only caterer contractually permitted to operate at the SNFCC Lighthouse and Lighthouse Terraces per venue policies, and is an internationally recognized catering company with over 25 years of experience that manages the Delta restaurant (the only two-Michelin-Star restaurant in Greece) on-site, ensuring coordination efficiency and on-site food preparation. The contracting officer determined the cost fair and reasonable based on contractor quality, comparisons with previous Embassy events, and event complexity. Market research was conducted by visiting more than a dozen event spaces between January and March 2026, determining SNFCC as the only suitable venue for this historic event.