RFI - to improve competion and improve processes

DLA Troop Support Subsistence Supplier Request for Information (RFI) Introduction: DLA Troop Support Subsistence is seeking Subsistence Supplier responses for this RFI in order to improve competition. Participants sought for this survey include manufacturers holding Manufacturer Pricing Agreements (MPA) and/or National Allowance Pricing Agreements (NAPA), Subsistence Prime Vendors (SPVs) located in the Continental United States (CONUS) and other than Continental United States (OCONUS) and Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) holders. In particular, DLA is seeking responses in order to improve the acquisition process and improve competition from Market Research, Acquisition Strategy, Pre Solicitation Notices, Solicitation Issuance, Evaluation, Negotiations and Award. We are seeking industry insight, innovation and ideas to improve support to our customers while also improving the DLA and Supplier relationship. Participants are reminded that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) and DLA Troop Support Local Policy mandate appropriate procedures in all Solicitations, Contracts and Agreements. For example, DLA is required to comply with the Berry Amendment to procure domestic products. Suggesting that DLA should purchase foreign products would not be a change that DLA could implement. Please respond to the following questions: All responses are appreciated. a) Would a longer contract period be beneficial to both the vendor and the U.S. Government? If yes, please provide what you believe to be an appropriate contract period and provide the rationale for the contract period you are proposing. For example, if you are proposing a total contract period of six or seven years in lieu of the current five year contract term, please explain the benefits to the company, DLA and its customers. b) What improvements can DLA Troop Support and/or vendors make to speed up pre-award and/or post-award processes regarding vendor submission requirements? For example, for catalog item submissions, can you provide any suggestions on how to streamline this process? c) Are you aware of any technology innovations that could be useful to improve our processes? d) What performance metrics make the most sense for evaluating your company's performance? For example, many of our contracts evaluate Fill-rate, Required Delivery Date and cost savings. In the food industry and when dealing with other non-government customers, what performance metrics do they use? What performance metrics does your company use to rate itself? e) What does your company consider as economical for a delivery schedule? Many of DLA's contracts, especially in CONUS, use a delivery schedule of every two days. How does that compare to your other non-government customers? What are the most used delivery cycles? Please include categories of frozen, dry, chilled, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and fresh baked goods in your reply. f) What suggestions do you have to improve transportation to customers in OCONUS locations? g) What Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, policies and /or terms and conditions do you consider to be restrictive and/or prohibit competition? Thanks for your participation.