RFI for Food Services for DOT Headquarters

November 30, 2018 ********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.******* Attention: All Interested Vendors SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR FOOD SERVICES FOR DOT HEADQUARTERS (DOT HQ) This RFI notice is not a Solicitation and is not seeking the submission of full, formal, binding proposals. The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking information from industry regarding available food service models and/or options that could satisfy DOT's requirements as specified below. These models should be creative and innovative methods for providing food service operations at DOT locations within the National Capital Region. Vendors' submissions should be encompassing of emerging trends in technology in food service delivery in addition to providing creative and diverse food selection options. Responses to this RFI should include information on how the vendor would provide food service delivery at each of the locations specified below - bearing in mind that each location could have different set-ups and approaches for delivery. Interested parties are asked to please e-mail-to contact@example.gov , contact@example.gov , and contact@example.gov, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time December 14, 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 DOT's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McClean, Virginia, 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. - 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. Background: DOT has two separate locations within the National Capital Region for consideration within this RFI. The first location is DOT's Headquarters located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC and consists of two towers - West Building and East Building. DOT's cafeteria is in the atrium on the ground-level floor of its East Building. Also, there is a small supplemental dining area. The building is open to Government employees that have a valid ID and registered guests. The DOT headquarters population is approximately 5,500 persons-which includes Federal employees and on-site contractors. In addition, DOT receives numerous visitors to the cafeteria each day who attend short seminars, on-site meetings and other functions. These visitors also have access to the cafeteria. Approximately 27% of the 5,500 federal employees identified above telework one or two days each week and/or have a regular day off during the week. - 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 headquarters facility has expanded significantly with the addition of 77 retailers of which 44 are food/beverage retailers. Therefore, each responder should envision a creative food-service program that would mitigate outside competition and maximize operational success for food services at DOT headquarters. The second site is the Federal Highway Administration Turner-Fairbank facility located at 6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101. This is a research facility with approximately 300 onsite employees. The location is open to Government employees that have a valid ID and registered guests. Note: The current facility at Turner Fairbank does not offer a cafeteria or internal dining options so alternative options for providing food services should be considered for this location. 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 December 7, 2018. DOT does not, as of this time, plan to offer a Site Visit to Turner-Fairbank, as its food facility is only a small vending area. 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 , contact@example.gov , and contact@example.gov, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time December 5, 2018. At 2:00 PM Eastern Time on December 7, 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.