SOURCES SOUGHT
M -- GLENN FOOD SERVICES PROGRAM
- Notice Date
- 6/27/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 722310
— Food Service Contractors
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135
- ZIP Code
- 44135
- Solicitation Number
- NNC14ZC012L
- Response Due
- 7/25/2014
- Archive Date
- 6/27/2015
- Point of Contact
- Aaron A Olmsted, Contract Specialist, Phone 216-433-6843, Fax 216-433-2480, Email aaron.a.olmsted@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Aaron A Olmsted
(aaron.a.olmsted@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Description The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) Exchange (herein called the Exchange) is seeking information about potential methods for providing food services within a food service concession agreement at GRC. 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 the Exchange to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Exchange is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Exchange 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 the Exchange 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 website (www.FedBizOpps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Background The Exchange is a non-appropriated federal instrumentality (NAFI) operating for the benefit of NASA and supporting contractor employees. The Exchange administers and manages operations and activities that create revenue which helps finance activities created to contribute to the efficiency, welfare, and morale of approximately 3300 GRC personnel. The majority of the GRC workforce is on the day shift and has flexible scheduling available. The Food Service Program (FSP) is an essential service among the GRC Exchange responsibilities and activities and a contributing force in the continuing well-being and effectiveness of the GRC 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 Exchange Operations, vending routes at various sites on Center are operated by a separate vendor under a separate contract and these vending routes will remain in operation. There is currently one centrally located cafeteria facility located at GRC serviced by a rotating schedule of local food vendors and food trucks. These local food vendors and food trucks operated under a pilot program that has been in place since August 2013. Prior to that GRC had a full service cafeteria operated by a small business contractor. The purpose of this RFI is to assist the Exchange in designing and maintaining a follow-on food service program that meets the needs and enhances the quality of life for the GRC workforce. It is expected that the FSP meet the following objectives (in no particular order): --To increase the average daily utilization of food services by the workforce --To provide maximum satisfaction to customers through an efficient and effective operation --To provide appetizing, appealing and nutritionally sound food alternatives --To support employees diverse nutritional needs, and to provide employees with a variety of foods and styles of cuisine that enhance their dining experiences --To provide exceptional service and convenient operating hours which are responsive to the needs of the GRC workforce --To enhance the quality of the food services program and increase sales while maintaining costs at a reasonable level The Exchange is open to fulfilling its Food Service Program through any of the following (or combination): Traditional cafeteria, Food court, Food trucks, Restaurant (branded or unbranded), catering, delivery service, etc. Responders are welcome to propose additional alternatives and/or unique approaches. Site Description and Site Visit The NASA Glenn Research Center is located at Lewis Field, a 350-acre site adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. For the purpose of this RFI, It should be noted that within a ten mile radius of GRC there are two shopping malls with food courts and full services restaurants as well as a multitude of other fast food and full service restaurants away from the malls. GRC's physical plant includes more than 150 buildings that contain a unique collection of world-class test facilities. There is one generally centrally located Cafeteria. The cafeteria kitchen is a fully equipped professional kitchen (a tour of the kitchen and available equipment will be available during the site visits).Offerors should identify in their response if they will need some or all of the available equipment. GRC will hold a site visit on July 10th at 3:00 pm and July 11th at 3:00 pm to allow potential offerors an opportunity to visit the cafeteria and kitchen and to speak with GRC representatives. Visitors MUST submit a visitor request to Aaron.A.Olmsted@NASA.gov at least 24-hours in advance to allow names to be submitted to Security. Visitors are recommended to show up at least 30 minutes prior to site visit to allow for processing through Security. Challenges In order to provide responders with a complete picture the following challenges or potential challenges have been identified: --Although the center population exceeds 3000 employees, only approximately 10% use the cafeteria on a daily basis (this number fluctuates based on the season, i.e. more in the summer, fewer in the winter) --The campus and employees are spread out geographically --Parking at or near the cafeteria can be difficult --Any issued contract(s) would be subject to the Service Contract Act --The current cafeteria building is slated for demolition in 2017 Responses Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with an information package. The information package(s) are due no later than 4:00 PM EST on July 25, 2014 and shall be submitted via e-mail only to Aaron.A.Olmsted@nasa.gov. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Exchange, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Exchange property and will not be returned. The information package shall be limited to ten pages (8.5 x 11) and shall include the following as a minimum: --Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. --Recommended strategy. Interested parties are encouraged to be innovative and propose enhancements and alternative approaches for addressing GRC's needs effectively. --Identify the interest and ability to effectively and efficiently perform the above requirements. Questions All questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Aaron A. Olmsted at Aaron.A.Olmsted@nasa.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted (there will be a Q&A opportunity during the July 10th and 11th site visits). Accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.
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