NASA Johnson Space Center Starport Exchange Food Service Program

1.0 Description 1.1 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) Starport Exchange Council (Starport) is seeking information about potential sources for a single or multiple award food service concession agreement(s) at JSC. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit Starport to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, Starport is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that Starport will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. The responses to this RFI may be used to assist Starport in developing a statement of work and evaluation criteria in support of a future procurement. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential Offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Background 2.1 Starport is a non-appropriated federal instrumentality (NAFI) operating for the benefit of JSC's civil servant, contractor personnel, and commercial partners. Starport administers and manages operations and activities that create revenue to contribute to the efficiency, welfare, and morale of approximately 8,000 JSC personnel. Starport also supports employees located at Ellington Field and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory/Sonny Carter Training Facility. 2.2 The Food Service Program (FSP) is an essential service among the JSC Starport responsibilities and activities and a contributing force in the continuing well-being and effectiveness of the JSC workforce. Food service contributes to the social environment of the Center and plays a role in the recruitment, retention and overall satisfaction of its workforce. In addition to the food services under the Starport Operations, the Texas Workforce Commission's Division of Blind Services manages one snack bar in Building 4S and a Micro Market in Building 1 that will remain in operation. There is currently one full service cafeteria facility at JSC in Building 3; another venue, Building 11, hosts food caterers and food trucks. Starport is seeking to design and maintain a food service program that meets the needs and enhances the quality of life for the JSC workforce. It is expected that the FSP meet the following objectives. (This list is not in order of importance) - Provide maximum satisfaction to customers through an efficient and effective operation - Offer the latest innovative food concepts, in addition to exceptional service and convenient operating hours which are responsive to the needs of the JSC workforce - Enhance the quality of the food services program and increase sales while maintaining costs at a reasonable level - Employ state-of-the-art technology to support the food service operation - Promote nutritional awareness and enlarge employees' dining experiences by offering a variety of foods and styles of cuisine - Maintain attractive facilities conducive to social interaction and adhere to excellent sanitation and safety standards - Maintain or create a consumer feedback process that is constantly refined so as to maintain its vitality and interest - Effectively implement vibrant marketing strategies - Establish and maintain a creative, hospitable and quality-oriented catering program that meets the needs and exceeds the expectations of a variety of Center constituencies. Starport may have several food services requirements within the next year. The potential requirements are one of each of the following: - Traditional cafeteria: Provide creative, appetizing, appealing and nutritionally sound breakfast and lunch food alternatives. - Food court: Offer a minimum of four (4) (combination of independently branded and nationally branded) concepts with a variety of choices for breakfast and lunch. - Food trucks: Offer a variety of reasonably-priced novelty food truck options - Catering: A non-exclusive catering program for special events including, but not limited to, launches, celebrations, professional luncheons, holiday activities, meetings, and training events. 2.3 Starport may issue a single Request for Proposal (RFP) that would result in the award of a single or multiple concession agreement(s) for each of the categories identified above. The concession agreement(s) will each be for a minimum of five (5) years, including options, but may be awarded for a longer period of performance dependent on the proposed capital investment of the potential concessionaire(s). The resulting concession agreement(s) will be utilized to support Starport in providing a vibrant and quality FSP at JSC. 3.0 Responses 3.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a capability package. The capability package(s) is due no later than 4:00 PM CST on May 2, 2017. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail only to dana.altmon-cary-1@nasa.gov. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid Starport, please submit proprietary information under a cover page. Please be advised that all submissions become Starport property and will not be returned. 3.2 The capability package shall be limited to three (3) pages (8.5 x 11) per category and shall include the following as a minimum: 3.2.1 Name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 3.2.2 Identify the interest and ability to effectively and efficiently perform one or more parts of the above requirements. 3.2.3 List of projects relevant to the appropriate requirements and a brief description of each project completed within the last three (3) years. Examples of relevant projects shall demonstrate the ability to either perform or coordinate these activities as well as the capability to perform multiple projects simultaneously. 3.2.4 Recommended strategy. Interested parties are encouraged to be innovative and propose enhancements and alternative approaches for addressing JSC's needs effectively. 4.0 Site Description and JSC Food Service Locations JSC occupies 1,620 acres southeast of downtown Houston in the Clear Lake area. Surrounding JSC are several eateries, including national brands and local restaurants. 4.1 Current Operational Hours of Existing JSC Dining Options B.3 Cafeteria Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. B.11 Food Caterers (closed every other Friday) and Food Trucks Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. B.3 Specialty Coffee Kiosk Morning: 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Afternoon: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 5.0 Questions All questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Dana Altmon-Cary at dana.altmon-cary-1@nasa.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. Starport does not guarantee that questions received after 4:00 PM CST on May 2, 2017 will be answered.