Army dining excellence initiative (dinex)
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- W5168W26RA017
- Agency
-
Department of the Army
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 722310 Food Service Contractors
- PSC
- M1FD Operation Of Dining Facilities
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Army's Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC) and Army Sustainment Command (ASC) are soliciting innovative solutions for enhanced food service operations through a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) under the Dining Excellence Initiative (DINEX). The Army seeks modernized food service capabilities for its Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) garrisons, including new technologies, procedures, or entirely new operational models that improve nutrition, sustainment, and operational efficiency compared to existing practices. Key requirements include solutions addressing station-style feeding synchronized with training schedules, high-volume concentrated dining flows, and cleanliness standards while removing constraints from legacy systems such as mandatory Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) sourcing, rigid menu standards, and outdated facility maintenance restrictions. The evaluation will occur in three phases: Phase 1 requires solution briefs of maximum 10 pages or 20 slides due February 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM CST; Phase 2 consists of mandatory site visits and pitches for advancing participants; and Phase 3 involves written proposals and prototype selection approximately 30 days after Phase 2 advancement. This CSO is not subject to standard federal acquisition regulations, allowing flexible terms negotiated case-by-case as an Other Transaction Agreement under 10 U.S.C. 4022.
No set-aside designations apply to this opportunity. Potential participants include established foodservice management companies such as Sodexo, Aramark, and Computrition, along with specialized vendors like Installation Food LLC, Metz Culinary Management, and Blackstone Consulting, Inc. The Army anticipates awarding a single fixed-price Other Transaction Agreement for prototype testing, though specific award values are not disclosed and funding is not currently available. The prototype operation will serve multiple T2COM installations that collectively process over 55 million meals annually, with the initiative focused on delivering measurable outcomes including cost savings, meal throughput improvements, waste reduction, and soldier satisfaction. Performance locations for the initial prototype phase include Fort Lee, Virginia and Fort Rucker, Alabama, with potential follow-on production contracts across the remaining T2COM locations contingent upon prototype success and available appropriated funds.
Notice text
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 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 (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 three-phase evaluation process described in the 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.
4. Submission Instructions
Solution Briefs must be submitted via email to the points of contact listed below with the subject line: "DINEX CSO Solution Brief - [Company Name]".
5. Point of Contact
For all inquiries regarding this announcement and the 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
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Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Solicitation | |
| Army dining excellence initiative (dinex) | Pre-Solicitation |
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