Food Service

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) The availability and capability of qualified sources/ availability of competition; and (2) the business size and socioeconomic status (e.g. small or large business, HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; woman-owned small businesses; small disadvantage businesses; or large business), relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. The Government will utilize this information in determining an acquisition strategy, including whether a set-aside is possible.BACKGROUND: The National Mine Health and Safety Academy (Academy) is a residential training facility operated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). It

is the world's largest facility devoted to health and safety in mining. It is a central training facility for Federal mine safety and health inspectors, mine safety professionals, other government agencies, the mining industry and labor. The Academy has 18 classrooms, 10 laboratories, and the Mine Simulation Laboratory (MSL). This food service will operate primarily for the students but there are approximately 150 building occupants. In addition, the National Mine Health and Safety Academy (Academy) has approximately 230 students in residence on a weekly basis, Monday through Friday. Occasionally there will be student weekend stayovers.The Academy estimates ten percent (10%) of the federal employees listed above telework on a fixed schedule a minimum of one or two days each week, and that twenty percent (20%) of the federal employees listed above work a compressed alternate work schedule (AWS). Compressed AWS schedules provide employees one day off (typically a Monday or Friday) every two weeks.PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this effort is to provide high quality, nutritious food and food services to the students at the Academy. This includes providing a clean, safe and attractive serving and dining area, reasonable prices for food and a variety of food offerings.The Contractor shall establish and operate in the Contractor's name, the food service facilities for the purpose of dispensing food, nonalcoholic beverages. The contractor shall provide a variety of menu options, including a hot vegetarian selection containing no meat, fish or poultry at each meal. The contractor shall provide all management, personnel and training to operate the Academy onsite cafeteria, and catering service as specified herein. The contractor will adhere to food guidelines for federal concessions and vending operations. The guide can be located at: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/guidelines_for_federal_concessions_and_vending_operations.pdfThe Academy's Student Services Branch will furnish the Contractor with a 3-week planned student enrollment figure. The Government shall not be held responsible for any variation from this employee and/or student population figure since the extent of occupancy is not guaranteed.Annual historical estimated meals served:2014 - Breakfast - 12,806Lunch - 12,504Dinner - 3,8272015 - Breakfast - 13,346Lunch - 14,332Dinner - 2,3272016 - Breakfast - 20,284Lunch - 19,647Dinner - 2,3752017 - Breakfast - 12,038Lunch - 11,880Dinner - 2,0282018 - Breakfast - 8,824Lunch - 8,889Dinner - 588The contractor shall also operate the Student Store and vending machine services at the Academy.Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) may be served 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday, and 12:00pm to 7pm Saturday and Sunday. These beverages may be required by MSHA and other catered events specific to special events. This is optional if the food service is requested to be open by the CO or COR or specific events.The anticipated contract type is fixed price based on meals served.This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a Request for Quotes or award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses, nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.Sources responding to this Sources Sought Notice must submit the minimum information necessary for the Government to make a determination that the source is capable of satisfying the requirements. The response must be specific to the criteria listed above to demonstrate that the respondent is capable. The submission shall not exceed 8 pages.All interested parties are invited to submit a capabilities statement to Jennifer McKeever at McKeever.Jennifer@dol.gov, no later than March 7, 2019 at 2:00 PM. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the Governments evaluation of the information received. A determination by the Government to proceed with the acquisition is within the discretion of the Government. Please be advised that telephone inquiries will not be accepted. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES.Please Note: All prospective offerors interested in obtaining a contract award with the Government must be registered in SAM (System Award for Management).