Preferred Dining Program

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for market research information to identify potential sources that are interested in, and capable of, performing the work described in this RFI. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Funding is not available at this time. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Department of Human Resources Activity (DHRA) is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. DESCRIPTION: DHRA, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), is reviewing the market place for information on Commercial Corporate Dining Programs to assist the DTMO in maintaining the established elements of its DoD Preferred Dining Program. Interested parties are encouraged to submit a white paper that provides insight, best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations in response to the areas listed below. 1. Management of Preferred Dining Programs. Provide information regarding all phases of your approach to planning, developing, implementing and managing preferred dining programs. Helpful information would include past successes, best practices and lessons learned. 1.1 Provide your methodology for determining what incentives mobilize the highest levels of participation including: - What are the key elements to gaining and maintaining participation? - How do you incentivize travelers to participate? If a rewards program is included as an incentive, please provide information about management and rewards. - Explain your experience in managing a rewards and/or rebates program. - What data is needed regarding traveler dining patterns in order to gain maximum participation from restaurant chains and individual dining establishments? - What quality standards are restaurant chains and individual establishments required to meet? - What is your approach and methodology for ensuring travelers only utilize the program - and earn any related benefits - when on official (versus personal) travel? 1.2. Provide answers to the following questions regarding communications: - What marketing and strategic communications do you utilize with restaurants? - What marketing and strategic communications are used with travelers of companies using current corporate dining programs? - If you have experience with Government programs, what marketing and strategic communications are used for travelers using a Government dining program? - How does your site interface/link with your corporate customers? 1.3. Provide information on which locations and or geographic areas are most conducive to the performance of a preferred dining program: - Are your current corporate dining programs local, regional, national or international and are there demonstrated benefits to having one over another? - What are the deterrents of an international corporate dining program? - How do you expand dining programs to include additional restaurants at the local, regional and national level with chains and individual establishments? - Does limiting participation from chain restaurants and individual establishments have a beneficial or negative impact on your program and potential savings? 1.4. Provide information on the management of financial transactions, reconciliation of account information, safeguarding of personal information, data collection and analysis, and methods for measuring savings: - Describe your organization's corporate financial incentive and/or rebate programs as well as what you consider the most beneficial incentives for all stakeholders (corporate customer, dining company, restaurants)? - Describe your approach to managing data and payments for corporate dining programs with both restaurants and corporate accounts. - What are your requirements including data requirements and process for tracking program usage and calculating corporate and traveler rewards? - How do you electronically interface with restaurants to reconcile transactions? How often are reconciliations and are they with individual restaurants or at the chain level? - How do you manage corporate locations and franchisees who pay a concession based on their locations and are utilized by diners in corporate programs (i.e. Do corporate rebates still apply)? 1.5. Provide any additional comments you feel are relevant and should be addressed related to this inquiry. BACKGROUND: In response to OMB Memo 12-12, which directed a 30% reduction in travel spend, the DTMO implemented a DoD Preferred Dining Program in 2018.Based on a corporate dining program structure and supported by section 606 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, allowing the collection of rebates, its purpose is to generate potential savings for the DoD from the over $1B in travel related meal expenses. A traveler rewards program was launched in 2020, as an extension of the Dining Program, providing travelers the ability to earn personal rewards while on official travel. Program considerations include use of the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), rebates tied directly to the use of the GTCC for dining at preferred establishments, and management of the traveler rewards program. The goal of the managed dining program is to provide a seamless solution to generate savings while offering convenience, choice, and benefits for travelers who currently frequent approximately 1,300 chains and individual establishments for meals during the course of their travel. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All sources are invited to submit a White Paper in response to this RFI. Responses shall be limited to 30 single sided pages. Margins shall not be less than - inch. Font may be Times New Roman or Arial with not less than eleven pitch. Responses shall also include a cover sheet that identifies the following information: 1. Company Name & Mailing Address (and overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address) 2. Point of Contact Name/Telephone/Email 3. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Identify the NAICS code under which your company would provide the supplies/services described in this RFI. 4. Business Size/Status. From the list below, identify all of the business sizes applicable to your company under the NAICS code identified at item three above. Small Business Veteran-Owned Small Business Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Small Disadvantaged Business Woman-Owned Small Business Large Business 8(a) Certified HUBZone Small Business 5. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number 6. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. 7. If you have a GSA or other contract vehicle that covers these services, provide the contract number. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government 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. All information received in response to this RFI that is clearly marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made and RFI submissions will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. No questions will be addressed to this RFI. The Government requests that all responses be returned by 12:00 PM ET on 05/04/22. Interested vendors may additionally contact the Small Business Point of Contact to discuss this requirement: Ms. Tammy Proffitt, Tammy.j.proffitt2.civ@mail.mil, phone number: 703-332-9247.