Pre-Deployment Yellow Ribbon - 20 March 2026

The Rhode Island Army National Guard is seeking hotel venue and ancillary support services for a Pre-Deployment Yellow Ribbon Event scheduled for March 20, 2026. This sources sought notice is soliciting direct contractor engagement from hotel service providers to supply event space, catering, lodging, and logistical support for approximately 288 attendees (271 adults and 17 children). The facility must be located within Rhode Island or within a 20-minute driving distance from Providence, Rhode Island, as measured by Google Maps under normal traffic conditions, and must accommodate 175 vehicles with complimentary parking. Key requirements include a main assembly room with audio/visual capabilities, two breakout rooms with presentation equipment, two childcare facilities, a vendor area with 40 tables, and full catering services including a buffet-style lunch meeting nutritional guidelines from Choosemyplate.gov. The pre-solicitation notice was posted on February 12, 2026, with an initial due date of February 19, 2026, and a revised version was posted on February 18, 2026. No formal evaluation criteria or specific deadline for proposal submission has been disclosed in this sources sought phase, as the government is gathering market information prior to formal solicitation.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and represents a direct government-to-contractor engagement opportunity with no third-party intermediaries permitted. The event will operate from 0800 to 1400 hours on March 20, 2026, with contractor setup access beginning at 0600 hours on the same day. The contract scope includes lodging for two guest rooms on March 19, 2026, at rates not exceeding the published General Services Administration per diem lodging rate for the locality. While no specific contract award value is disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice, the government's detailed meal specifications—including a 6-ounce protein entree with two vegetables, one starch, and one fruit or dessert per adult, plus special dietary accommodations and children's meals—indicate a moderately complex catering operation. The revised Statement of Work, issued February 18, 2026, reflects adjustments to attendee numbers and guest room requirements from the original draft, suggesting the government may continue refining specifications prior to formal solicitation issuance.