Request For Information (RFI) - USDA South Building Foodservice Operator - Washington D. C.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) South Building Foodservice Operator – Washington D.C.

An abbreviated summary of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) is as follows:

The anticipated period of performance of this contract will be a two (2) year base period with one (1) option year.

The USDA Office of Operations, Safety & Sustainability Emergency Operations Division (OO/SSEOD) seeks a qualified Foodservice Contractor to operate a dining service program offering innovative and unique approaches to dining and sustainability. USDA will engage a Foodservice Contractor to operate the existing cafeteria in its Headquarters complex located in Washington D.C. The South Building dining room contains seats for approximately 350 people and contains a large serving area and kitchen. The USDA houses approximately 3000 persons at its Headquarters complex.  The cafeteria is open to the public and on average of 500 to 2000 visitors patronize the dining facilities each month.  USDA reserves the right to limit the public and visitor access to the South cafeteria at any time.

USDA plans an extensive kitchen renovation to take place during the performance period of this contract. Those renovations will include the replacement of flooring, ceilings, the relocation of the walk-in coolers and freezers and existing kitchen office space. The renovations will use a phased approach to limit the impact on kitchen operations. The Foodservice operator must continue to provide services throughout the duration of the renovation period. The Foodservice operator will work directly with USDA to establish an innovative approach to their service plan during the duration of the construction project. This service plan shall be approved by USDA.

The anticipated contract shall be a No Cost Contract. The No Cost Contract shall be based on the Foodservice operator maintaining a menu price structure in such a manner to result in the Foodservice operator realizing a reasonable profit, or if incurring a loss, adjustments may be negotiated to permit a reasonable profit.  For this provision, a net profit not to exceed 10% can be considered a reasonable profit.  The Foodservice operator shall be able to demonstrate administrative expenses, profit and losses when requested by the Contracting Officer.

The USDA will select a Foodservice operator who will deliver a variety of high quality, freshly prepared, sustainably produced and procured foods on a daily basis, and that creates strong customer satisfaction.  USDA envisions dining services that offer a diversityof freshly prepared food, the incorporation of national brands, the utilization of American products, and overall services that have a positive societal impact.  USDA expects these to include:

• Food and beverage items that are fresh and locally grown when feasible but otherwise produced in the United States.
• A fully-sustainable dining service program that economically supports sustainable food systems as a way of contributing to the vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in America.
• Back-of-House Operations that include a verifiable waste reduction program; verifiable recycling program, uses (to the maximum extent possible) environmentally preferable products including products that are BioPreferred, made from recycled materials that are recyclable and/or biodegradable; and uses environmentally preferable practices.

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