Description
This is a Request for Information (RFI). 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 by the Government. Any information provided in response to this RFI 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 of future business with the Government. The purpose of this RFI is to conduct Market Research to assist the Library of Congress (LOC) with structuring its requirements for comprehensive food, catering and vending services for its Capitol Hill buildings in Washington, DC. The Contractor shall manage and operate food and vending services facilities at the LOC to support the approximately 1.9-million visitors and 3,300 staff. The Contractor shall operate said facilities in accordance with federal and local regulations for the purpose of serving food, beverages, and other items as may be authorized by the LOC. The contractor receives no funds from the LOC and there is no requirement to pay a concessionaire fee to LOC. The LOC envisions issuing a contract with a base 5 year period and two 5 year options. Vending services will start on 1 October 2021 with the other services (food service and catering) beginning at contract award. Given the long term nature of this agreement and the changing nature of services involved the LOC anticipates that there may be significant changes in the specific services required over the life of the contract. We encourage and appreciate your participation. Your written comments, suggestions, and ideas regarding this RFI will be treated as confidential and for Government use only. Interested vendors should limit their response to a maximum of 10 pages. At a minimum, the following information should be provided: Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, and CAGE code. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any. Based upon the attached Performance Work Statement does you expect to submit a proposal in response to the solicitation? If you are not going to propose are there changes that could be made to the PWS requirements that would cause you to propose? The LOC is seeking comprehensive food service options that provide its staff and visitors a variety of food offered, quality and new experiences. We are particularly interested in the approach including branded franchise locations which may include but is not limited to: Subway, Dunkin, McDonalds, Shake Shack, &Pizza, Five Guys, and/or Peet’s Coffee. What if any changes to the PWS requirements would be beneficial to helping the LOC meet this goal? At present food services are closed at the LOC with only vending options available. Given the current impact of COVID-19 and the unknown future impacts do you have any suggestions on how the LOC should approach the contract requirements to ensure it is successful? What would be the expected/typical transition time from contract award to opening of the locations? Would this vary depending on whether the locations are franchises or tradition café/cafeteria operations? Please provide any additional input you may have that you believe would be helpful for LOC to consider. Please submit responses via email only referencing the solicitation number in the subject line to the point of contact listed below by 3 September 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This is a market survey for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal, nor as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. Please identify any proprietary information submitted. The Government intends to utilize the information received only to develop the acquisition strategy for future requirements. Any of the information stated above is subject to change.