Food Services for DOT Headquarters

On-line research indicates that M1FD (Operation of Dining Facilities) is this project's applicable "Classification Code". But only "M"----the first character in that code-----was in fact available as a choice in the "Classification Code" drop-down-menu in FedBizOpps. Therefore, each prospective responder to this notice is asked to please read / interpret that selected "Classification Code" ("M") as in fact reading "M1FD". As a futher clarification, it is hereby noted that the Federal Government does not, in fact, own the DOT's headquarters building, so that the term "Government Owned Facilities", in "Classification Code" M, is not applicable here. November 8, 2018 Attention: All Interested Vendors SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR FOOD SERVICES FOR DOT HEADQUARTERS (DOT HQ) AND OTHER DOT FACILITIES IN THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN REGION This notice is issued for solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB, or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to contract for any supply or service. Potential vendors are requested to submit a capability statement or information demonstrating the ability to complete this or similar projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is hereby requesting information for creative and innovative methods for providing food services operations at the DOT HQ located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S. E., Washington, D.C. 20590 and other DOT facilities in the Washington DC metropolitan region. DOT is seeking responses from all sources, including both Large Businesses and Small Businesses in all socioeconomic categories. Results from the RFI will be used to determine potential levels of competition available in the industry and establish an acquisition strategy. Background: DOT's Headquarters consists of a West Building and an East Building, which are separated only by a narrow street. DOT's cafeteria is in the atrium on the street-level floor of the East Building. Also, there is a small supplemental dining facility (capacity 44 people) located on the 9th floor of the West Building. Neither the West Building nor the East Building is open to the public. The DOT Headquarters population is an aggregate grand total of approximately 5,500 persons-which includes Federal employees and on-site contractors. In addition, DOT can expect numerous visitors to the cafeteria each day who attend short seminars, on-site meetings and other functions. These visitors have access to the cafeteria but may not necessary "overlap" the breakfast or lunch period. The building is open to Government employees that have a valid ID. The DOT HQ estimates 26.8% of the 5,500 federal employees identified above telework a minimum of one or two days each week, and many of those 5,500 federal employees work an alternate work schedule (AWS). Other food-competition in the area should be taken into consideration by responders to this RFI. During the past 10 years, the environment surrounding the DOT HQ facilities has expanded significantly with the addition of 77 retailers of which 44 are Food/Beverage retailers. It is expected that the rate of growth will continue at a rapid pace over the next decade with hundreds of thousands of additional square footage of retail space expected within the immediate area around DOT. Therefore, each responder should envision a creative food-service program that would mitigate outside competition and maximize operational success for food services at DOT HQ and other DOT facilities in the Washington DC metropolitan region. DOT is hereby seeking information from industry regarding available food service models and/or options that could satisfy DOT's requirements as specified in detail below. Interested parties are asked to please e-mail-to contact@example.gov , and to contact@example.gov ,and to contact@example.gov, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time November 21, 2018-the following information: - 1. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS, CAGE code, and a statement regarding small business status (if applicable), delivery schedules (if applicable) and the corresponding NAICS code. - 2. Identify the following in your capabilities statement: - a. Food service model(s) and description of food services provided; - b. Staffing model (inclusive of levels and personnel; - c. Possibilities for leveraging DOT major food servicing establishments in the Washington, DC metropolitan region (Specifically DOT HQ facilities at Navy Yard, and various FAA food servicing establishments at L'Enfant Plaza and other locations within the region); and - d. Recommended hours of service - 3. Information regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc. that will facilitate making a capability determination. - 4. Identify how DOT can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition and /or improve responsiveness from industry participants. - 5. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition. - 6. Recommendations to improve the approach. Site-Visit: For the benefit of all prospective responders to this RFI, DOT will conduct a Site-Visit at DOT Headquarters from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM on November 15, 2018. Each prospective responder will be allowed to have not more than two representatives attend the Site-Visit. Each prospective responder should obtain Site-Visit-Registration by sending a requesting e-mail to contact@example.gov , and to contact@example.gov ,and to contact@example.gov, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time November 14, 2018. At 2:00 PM Eastern Time on November 15, 2018, DOT-representatives will meet all site-visitors in DOT's West Building lobby, which is located diagonally across a street-intersection from the Navy Yard Metro Station. The site-visit will include a tour of all food service operations at DOT HQ and other select locations.