Food Service Bridge Contract - Notice of Intent

DESCRIPTION: This contract action is pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Under the contemplated short-term follow-on contract, the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services as prime contractor, through their licensee Allen Tharp LLC., will provide the full food services in sustainment of the Lackland AFB full food service program. The period of performance for this contract is a 6-month base period (1 Apr 12 - 30 Sep 12) and one 6-month option period (1 Oct 12 - 31 Mar 13). The period of performance must start on 1 Apr 12. This short-term contract is needed to provide uninterrupted services while a new 4-year contract is being re-procured competitively. FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements, is the appropriate authority for this action . No other authorities in FAR 6.302 are appropriate. If we fail to award this contract under this authority, it may have broader implications for Air Force missions and we may have second and third order effects. The agency intends this action as a temporary measure not anticipated to exceed one year to meet the Air Force mission of feeding military trainees. SCOPE OF WORK: Non-personal services to provide full food service at 14 dining facilities and one flight kitchen at Lackland AFB, the Lackland Training Annex, Camp Bullis (approximately 30 miles northwest from Lackland AFB) and maintain one Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) warehouse. Facilities consist of five full food service dining facilities, eight Basic Military Training dining facilities, one limited service dining facility, and one flight kitchen. Contractor tasks include, but are not limited to, dining facility management; cooking; food requisition and preparation; serving and replenishing food; cleaning facilities; maintaining food service and computer property (hardware maintenance); preparing vegetables and fruits for the salad bar; bussing tables; performing cashier services; handling foods, supplies, and property; maintaining quality control; ensuring operator maintenance and repair of food service property; and in the event of contingency, performing all required tasks to include continued service. Lackland AFB has the largest food service operation in the Air Force and the second in the Department of Defense. Approximately 710,000 meals are served monthly. It is essential to the public interest that feeding of personnel continue at Lackland AFB without any gaps in service. Adequate sources do not exist in-house to provide these services. All firms or individuals responding to this notice must be registered on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) website. HOWEVER, NOTE THAT 34 CFR 395.33(D) AUTHORIZES THE AGENCY TO ENTER INTO DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH THE DESIGNATED BLIND VENDOR IN LIEU OF COMPETITION.