Q and A MSG Cook 2026.pdf
PDF 270 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 19L01026Q00005
- Issued by
-
Department of State
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) addendum to Request for Quotations (RFQ) Solicitation No. 19L01026Q0005 for MSG Cook services at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia, issued September 9, 2026.
The solicitation seeks a cook to provide meal services for a seven-member detachment (21 meals daily). Key personnel requirements include a minimum of three years' food-service management experience and relevant food-safety certifications, which must be documented at time of quotation submission. Third Country Nationals are permitted; however, contractors are solely responsible for obtaining necessary work permits, visas, and residency authorization. A single cook is acceptable for full coverage without a required backup. The contractor must operate an established business in Slovakia with a permanent address and telephone listing, though a U.S.-registered company may satisfy this through a locally registered subcontractor. Required insurance minimums are €5,000,000 general liability and €5,000,000 workers' compensation/occupational disease coverage; Defense Base Act coverage is waived for Slovakia, and self-employed contractors may provide locally mandatory insurance. Food and grocery costs are funded separately by the Government through the detachment mess bill and must not be included in the fixed monthly price. VAT should be stated as a separate line item at 23% with no exemption certificate provided. Offerors may request a pre-quotation site visit of the MSG kitchen if requested by September 14, 2026. Pricing adjustments for material changes in the number of diners may be processed through contract modification. Required submission documents are listed in Section 3 of the solicitation (pages 32-33) and include SF-1449 and Section I Pricing. The deadline for submitting questions is September 16, 2026, at 13:00 local time (Slovakia).
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U.S. Embassy Hviezdoslavovo nam 4
81102 Bratislava Slovakia
September 9, 2026
Subject: Request for Quotations (RFQ) Sol. No. 19L01026Q0005 BRATI 2026 MSG Cook Solicitation
Questions and Answers
To prospective offerors:
The U.S. Government has received the following questions / clarifications to RFQ Solicitation NO: 19L01026Q0005
Q: Is a Third Country National (TCN) chef permitted to serve as the MSG Detachment Cook, or must the cook be a Slovak national, an EU national, or a local hire? Are there any nationality restrictions tied to the security vetting and badging process?
A: Yes, the TCN is permitted.
Q: Are there any nationality restrictions tied to the security vetting and badging process?
A: Every applicant undergoes the same evaluation, and all personnel requiring a badge or unescorted access must first receive a favorable security certification from the security office. This office carefully evaluates all information developed during vetting, including citizenship and residency history, foreign affiliations and influences, and the ability to complete and resolve records checks in each country where the individual has lived or worked.
Q: If a non-Slovak cook is proposed, is the contractor solely responsible for obtaining the necessary work permit, visa, and residency authorization, or does the Embassy provide any accreditation or supporting documentation?
A: Yes, the contractor is solely responsible for obtaining the necessary work permit, visa, and residency authorization, etc.
Q: Is a single cook acceptable for full coverage, or must the contractor also provide a pre-vetted relief/backup cook to cover the cook's absences, holidays, and sick days without interruption to service?
A: Yes, the single person is acceptable for full contract requirements coverage.
Q: Must the proposed cook's minimum qualifications (three years' food-service management experience) and any food-safety certifications (e.g., SERVSafe) be documented at the time of quotation, or may certification be obtained after award?
A: Yes, the minimum qualifications must be documented at the time of quotation.
Q: Section 3 requires evidence that the offeror operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing in Slovakia. Would a U.S.-registered company performing through a locally established subcontractor or partner satisfy this requirement, or must the prime offeror itself be registered in Slovakia?
A: The subcontractor located and registered in Slovakia is acceptable.
Q: Is there a current incumbent providing these services, and if so, can the current contract value or price be shared to assist offerors in preparing a competitive quotation?
A: Yes, the service is provided but the contract value will not be published.
Q: Please confirm that all food/grocery costs are funded separately by the Government through the detachment mess bill and are not to be included in the fixed monthly price.
A: The food and grocery cost is not to be included in fixed monthly price.
Q; Should the offeror include VAT as a separate line item at 23%, and will the Embassy provide a VAT exemption certificate or is VAT to be invoiced?
A: If applicable, the offeror should state VAT as a separate line item. The Embassy does not provide VAT exemption certificate.
Q: Please confirm that the required insurance minimums (€5,000,000 general liability and €5,000,000 workers' compensation/occupational disease) are firm. If the cook is a self-employed sole trader (živnosť), how should workers' compensation coverage be addressed, and is Defense Base Act coverage required for this contract?
A: DBA is waived for Slovakia. If contactor is self-employed the locally mandatory insurance is acceptable.
Q: Will there be an opportunity for a pre-quotation site visit or inspection of the MSGR kitchen and Government-furnished equipment before the submission deadline?
A: Site visit could be scheduled based on request to BratislavaGSOquotes@state,gov received not later than September 14, 2026.
Q: The fixed price is based on a detachment of seven members (21 meals/day). How will pricing adjustments be handled if the number of diners changes materially during performance?
A: Increase within the scope of the contract could be processed by contract modification.
Q: The invitation letter lists required submission items as (1) SF-1449, (2) Section I Pricing, and (4) additional information per Section 3. Could you confirm the complete list of required documents, including any item numbered (3)?
A: The list of required documents is listed on Solicitation document under Section 3 – Solicitation Provisions (page 32-33).
Q: Is there a deadline for submitting questions, and will responses be issued as a formal amendment to all prospective offerors?
A: Deadline for submitting questions is September 16, 2026, 13:00 local time (Slovakia).
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