Army dining excellence initiative (dinex)

1. Introduction and Project Context

The Army’s Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), Installation Readiness Center (IRC), in coordination with the Army Sustainment Command (ASC), is launching the Dining Excellence Initiative (DINEX), a focused effort to overhaul and modernize food service operations specifically within its Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) garrisons.

The goal of the DINEX initiative is to seek innovative, flexible solutions that deliver superior outcomes compared to the existing food service model, ensuring optimal nutrition and sustainment for the next generation of Soldiers.

2. Acquisition Authority and Method

This announcement serves as a Pre-Solicitation Notice regarding the Army's intent to issue a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for the DINEX initiative.

Authority: This CSO will be issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022.  The Award resulting from this CSO will be executed as an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for prototype projects.

Acquisition Streamlining: As an OTA under 10 U.S.C. 4022, this effort is not subject to the Competition in Contracting Act, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), or the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). This flexible process is critical for quickly identifying and fielding cutting-edge commercial solutions and maximizing collaboration with both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors.

3. Area of Interest (AoI)

The Army seeks innovative solutions and new capabilities for a single Area of Interest (AoI): Enhanced Food Service Operations for T2COM Garrisons (Draft scope provided as Attachment 1 to this posting).

Solutions may involve the introduction of new technologies or procedures not currently used by the Army, modifications to existing practices, or entirely new operational models that deliver significant financial or operational benefits in a high-throughput, structured training environment.

4. Anticipated Award and Prototype

The IRC anticipates awarding a fixed-price agreement for a single prototype project, based on the four-phase evaluation process described in the draft CSO. The Agreements Officer will negotiate terms and conditions, including milestone payments, directly with the selected participant.

Prototype Test Locations: Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Rucker, Alabama.

5. Review and Comment on Draft CSO

A draft CSO is issued with this notice to maximize collaboration and allow industry partners to understand the scope and acquisition process before the final release.

Interested companies are strongly encouraged to review the attached draft CSO and provide feedback, comments, and/or questions for consideration by the Government.  Please submit questions and feedback NLT January 12th, 2026, 5:00 PM CST.

All feedback must be submitted via email to the points of contact listed below with the subject line: "DINEX Draft CSO Feedback - [Company Name]". Responses to this draft are for planning purposes only and will not be considered proposals or offers.

If a potential source is interested in having a one-on-one collaboration meeting to share ideas and concerns, in addition to accepting written feedback, MICC and ASC personnel may consider virtual discussions, not to exceed one-hour. 

6. Point of Contact

For all inquiries regarding this pre-announcement and the draft CSO, please contact:

Name: Michael Schneider

Title: Contracting Specialist

Email: michael.d.schneider55.civ@army.mil

Name: Jeffery Harris

Title: Contracting Officer

Email: jeffery.d.harris.civ@army.mil