Request for Information (RFI) for the Army Kiosk Program

This is a request for information (RFI). The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, Subsistence Strategic Material Sourcing Group (SMSG) is conducting market research for the acquisition of convenient Grab-n-Go individually packaged portion controlled subsistence products for customers at the Army Culinary Outpost Kiosks in Contiguous United States (CONUS), Alaska and Hawaii. Product categories include but are not limited to hot and cold individual beverages, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, bakery, entr'es, sandwiches, healthy entrees, fresh salads, soups, specialty items, condiments, miscellaneous sweets and snacks items (please see Attachment 1 - Kiosk Food Categories). The Kiosk concept supports Grab-n-Go service only to be located in barracks and work areas and requires minimal staffing. The concept is based on and designed to feed up to 1,000 customers per Kiosk daily. This effort will be piloted in phases. Additional phases will eventually roll out and this program is expected to be supported at all United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) installations (please see Attachment 2 - Kiosk Estimated Annual Headcount). Its purpose is to sustain feeding options where Soldiers will not have access to dining facilities readily available. For the purposes of this RFI, it is assumed that the customers shown on the attached Kiosk Estimated Annual Headcount spreadsheet will utilize the kiosks to eat up to three (3) meals per day. There is NO solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government and any information provided in response to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only and will not be released. Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked. Vendor participation is not a promise for future business with the Government. The sole purpose of this RFI is for the Government to conduct Market Research. The NAICS Codes associated with this RFI are 311999 and 424410. Please respond to the following questions: 1. Provide a brief description of your company (name, address, type of business; business size, CAGE Code if applicable, country of origin). 2. The Subsistence National Kiosk Contract would include, but is not limited to: sourcing food items; receiving and consolidating product; warehousing and inventory management; quality control, quality assurance, and inspections; transportation and security of product; personnel management; meeting required delivery dates and fill rates; and extensive reporting requirements. a. Can your firm manage the volume of business described above? Where are your warehouses presently located? What is the dollar value of product going through your warehouses on an annual basis? b. What are the potential concerns that you see that may impede/impact your ability to deliver the necessary supplies to the customers listed in the requirement above? c. Can you support an approximately five (5) year contract consisting of a 12-month base period and four (4) twelve (12) month option periods. 3. What pricing methodology does your firm use? A list of the different categories of items required (as well as examples of each type of product per category) are illustrated in the attached spreadsheet. Given various categories of food items (such as Dairy, Bakery, Sandwiches, Microwave Entrees, etc.), how do you establish your firm's mark-up? 4. How often does your price change? For this requirement, pricing must remain fixed on at least a weekly basis (pricing may change once per week). 5. Does your firm offer any pricing discounts? For example, quantity based, military, etc. Do you receive substantial discounts when purchasing large quantities? If so, what are the discount terms? Please explain. 6. Does your firm have minimum order requirements (by LB or Dollar value)? 7. What is your delivery frequency? For example: Monday/Wednesday/Friday each week. Note: Deliveries must be frequent enough to ensure the maximum shelf-life of products, especially for items short shelf-life (4-6 days). 8. Does your firm have any delivery limitations? Do you deliver nation-wide? Or do you only deliver in a certain region? 9. Please provide details regarding your return policy. 10. Does your firm have a Periodic Automatic Replenishment (PAR) level in place for your inventory? Can you provide details regarding how you develop this PAR level? 11. Please provide a complete catalog of items your firm supports and highlight your top selling products within the catalog provided. 12. Will your firm be able to provide assistance in planning the design/set-up (planogram) of customer kiosk(s)? 13. Does and will your firm be able to assist with marketing of the products that you support? Do you provide display cases or any other products to assist with marketing? 14. What is your firm's annual volume of sales (dollars and quantity in cases) for the period of 01 April 2019 through 31 March 2020? 15. If or when a solicitation is issued for the Army Kiosk Program, does your firm intend to participate in the bidding process? We encourage, appreciate, and would like to thank you in advance for your participation. Your responses, comments, suggestions and ideas regarding support for our customers are requested back by the close of business on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Please respond via e-mail to the following addresses: Zoraya.Wilson@dla.mil and Matthew.Conville@dla.mil