SPECIAL NOTICE - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/ SOURCES SOUGHT
1. The Department of the Interior (DOI), is issuing this RFI as part of market research for an upcoming procurement entitled "Food Concession Services at the Department of the Interior (DOI) Stewart Lee Udall Building."
This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Federal Government. The Government does not intend to award any contract on the basis of responses to this RFI and cannot pay for the preparation of any information submitted.
You are not obligated to complete this entire questionnaire. Please feel free to respond to as many questions as you feel are applicable/appropriate. Our goal is to learn about potential offerors, what they need to succeed, and the innovations they can bring to this great opportunity. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our RFI. Please reach out to the identified point-of-contact, below, with any questions.
2. The purpose of the RFI is the following:
2.1 To determine the availability and technical capability of industry,
2.2 Request input (comments, questions, and suggestions) from industry on a draft statement of work and;
2.3 Notify the public that DOI is likely to enter into a contract with a successful vendor to meet the needs of this requirement.
3. This Request for Information / Sources Sought Synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-Government personnel and entities. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary. The results of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement and requirement development.
4. DOI is seeking information from vendors that have the capability of performing the work described in the attached draft SOW. Responses must be identified by RFI No. DOIEFBO250006 and include the following business information:
4.1. Company name
4.2. UEI number in SAM.gov and if your SAM.gov registration is active. If you are not yet registered in SAM.gov, please advise. This can be later addressed if you are interested in this opportunity.
4.3. Mailing address, E-mail address & Telephone number
4.4. Web site address (if available).
4.5. Business Size and Eligibility under U.S. Government socio-economic programs (i.e., type of business - large, small, small-disadvantaged, Woman-owned, veteran-owned, or 8(a)) under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code associated with the project.
4.6. Any comments, questions, or suggestions related to the draft SOW.
5. Questionnaire: Vendors who are able to meet the requirements of this survey, have the potential capacity and capability to meet the requirements based on the information provided, and who would be interested in competing for any potential contracts, please take the time to respond to the following questions/items:
5.1. Please provide a brief description of your organization's experience and capabilities to meet the requirements identified in the draft SOW.
5.2. The SAM.gov solicitation number of any contracts that you have been awarded for performing these or similar services.
5.3. What support can our agency provide to help ensure your operation's success?
5.4. Menu and Food Offerings
5.4.1. What are the menus that you propose? (Include sample daily/weekly menus, options for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and any special themes like international or seasonal rotations.) Please include both food and beverages. Your proposed menu may be a separate attachment not counted in the page limitation.
5.5. Operating Hours and Scheduling
5.5.1. What are the hours (e.g., for breakfast & lunch) that you propose? (Specify proposed start/end times for each meal period, including any extended hours for grab-and-go items or events.)
5.6. Equipment and Infrastructure Needs
5.6.1. What is the equipment that you would need? Note: DOI has two (2) Convection Ovens, one (1) Range Oven, one (1) Salamander, two (2) Warming Cabinets, one (1) Dishwasher, one (1) Garbage Disposal, one (1) Coffee Machine, one (1) Ice Machine, 20 sinks, two (2) walk-in refrigerators, and one (1) walk-in freezer. How soon would you need these items working to begin operations?
5.6.2. What technology integrations do you propose (e.g., mobile ordering apps, contactless payment, or inventory management software)?
5.7. Marketing and Customer Engagement
5.7.1. How would you market your cafeteria not only for DOI employees, but also for other nearby federal employees? (Include strategies like digital signage, email newsletters, partnerships with adjacent agencies, or social media campaigns.)
5.7.2. What promotional tactics would you use to increase foot traffic (e.g., loyalty programs, discounts for federal ID holders, or themed events)?
5.8. Staffing and Operations
5.8.1. What is your proposed staffing model (e.g., number of full-time/part-time employees, roles like chefs, cashiers, and managers)?
5.8.2. How do you ensure staff training and compliance with food safety standards (e.g., ServSafe certification, hygiene protocols)?
5.8.3. What experience do you have in managing cafeterias or food services in government or high-traffic environments?
5.9. Innovation and Long-Term Vision
5.9.1. How would you adapt to emerging trends (e.g., plant-based alternatives, delivery options, or integration with wellness programs)?
5.9.2. How would you change your operations if the customer base increased (say to 2,000 people on-site per day).
5.9.3. Provide case studies or references from similar past projects, including outcomes and lessons learned.
6. The Department of the Interior (DOI) warmly invites you to an Industry Day to explore collaboration opportunities and tour our facilities to foster your future success. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST in the Kiowa Room at the Stewart Lee Udall Building, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Please confirm your interest in attending by emailing william.rilee@bsee.gov no later than close of business October 4th, 2025.
7. All responses under this RFI Notice must be submitted via email to the point-of-contact William.rilee@bsee.gov no later than 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 22 Oct 2025. Please include RFI No. DOIEFBO250006 in your email subject line. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Based upon responses received and existing market research efforts, the point of contact, along with the program, may choose to meet (virtually or non-virtually) with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions which will be considered further market research in support of this requirement.
8. Attachments:
(1) Draft Statement of Work
(2) FAR 52.215-3 Notice
(3) This RFI but in a PDF format
*Please note, that while the contracting officer is associated with Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), this is a DOI requirement and not a BSEE requirement.
