256th 1-141 TF Thunder Catered Meals

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation W912NR-26-Q-A009, clarifying requirements for meal preparation, delivery, and service.

• Delivery Location: Delivery location and times will be the same as outlined in the needs statement (Exhibit 1).
• Food Truck Operations: Food trucks are permitted but must be self-sufficient (own electricity, water, garbage disposal).
• Meal Packaging: Meals must be pre-packaged in clamshell plates for grab-and-go. Serving lines are not authorized for optimal freshness and temperature control.
• On-Site Facilities: A table will be provided for plated meals. No kitchen storage for drinks is authorized for vendor use. An ice machine is available but not for contractor use. Boxing meals on-site is authorized.
• Meal Preparation: All meals must be fully prepared off-site. The Defense Army Food Service Activity (DFAC) kitchen cannot be used for meal preparation, cooking, reheating, or using DFAC equipment. Meals may be transported to the DFAC with proper temperature control for on-site plating/serving only.
• Menu Flexibility: The 21-Day menu can be adjusted with prior notice to ensure nutritional needs are met.
• Packaging Variety: For boxing meals, one style of egg and one type of protein entree is acceptable, but offering both is preferred for variety.
• Grits: Grits must be fully prepared and for 100% of the PAX.
• Menu Numbers: Numbers on menus represent projected calories.
• Overnight Food Truck Parking: Food trucks cannot be left overnight on installation outside of approved delivery windows, per FAR 45.

These clarifications do not appear to alter the core requirements or submission deadlines of the solicitation but provide essential details for vendors to accurately plan and execute the contract.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions raised by potential bidders regarding Solicitation W912NR-26-Q-A009.

• Delivery Location & Times: Delivery location and times will remain the same as outlined in the needs statement and exhibit 1.
• Food Truck Use: Food trucks are permitted but must be self-sufficient regarding electricity, water, and garbage disposal.
• Serving Method: Meals must be pre-packaged for grab-and-go; serving lines are not authorized for maintaining freshness and temperature control.
• Tables/Serving Facility: A table will be provided for plated meals.
• Government Furnished Property (GFP): No GFP will be provided.
• Drink Storage: On-site storage for large quantities of drinks is not authorized for vendor use. The organization may store beverages once provided.
• Ice Machine: An ice machine is available but not for contractor use.
• Meal Boxing: Boxing of meals on-site is authorized.
• On-Base Kitchen Use: Contractors cannot use the DFAC (Defense Food Activity Center) for meal preparation, including cooking, reheating, or using DFAC equipment. All meals must be fully prepared off-site.
• Authorized On-Site Activities: Meals may be transported to the DFAC with proper temperature control, and meals may be plated/served on-site. This is strictly for final service operations and not for preparation.

These clarifications do not appear to alter the original solicitation's requirements or deadlines but provide specific guidance on operational aspects and limitations for bidders.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation W912NR-26-Q-A009.

• Delivery Location: Delivery will consistently be at the same location and times as specified in the needs statement and Exhibit 1.
• Food Trucks: Food trucks are permitted, provided they are self-sufficient regarding electricity, water, and garbage disposal.
• Meal Preparation: Meals must be pre-packaged in clamshell plates for a "grab and go" format to ensure optimal freshness and temperature control. Serving lines are not permitted for this purpose.
• Serving Area: A table will be provided for the delivery of plated meals.
• Government Furnished Property (GFP): No GFP will be provided by the government.

These clarifications do not appear to alter the original requirements, due dates, or submission rules of the solicitation, but provide specific details on operational aspects.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the requirements for a caterer to provide individually packaged "to-go/boxed" meals for the Louisiana Army National Guard (LAARNG).

• Provide personnel, supervision, and all items for boxed catered meals in compliance with state and local sanitation laws.

• Prepare food according to commercially acceptable standards and the LAARNG menu or equivalent.

• Provide single-use plates, napkins, bowls, cups, cutting utensils, serving utensils, and condiments.

• Offer a variety of standard beverages (carbonated, juice blends, non-carbonated, coffee, tea, milk, water) with no alcoholic beverages. Chilled and closed individual beverage servings are required.

• Ensure no "same menu" is served within a five-day period.

• Contact the unit Point of Contact (POC) for any meal substitutions.

• Compliance with state and local food service sanitation requirements, achieving a satisfactory or better health inspection rating.

• Meals prepared and served on the same day.

• Maintenance of USDA-recommended temperatures during preparation, transport, and service.

• Adherence to food safety precautions.

• Deliveries must be on time as stated in the award document.

• Food must be prepared, packaged, and delivered to ensure adequate quantity and proper temperatures.

• Specific internal temperatures for various food types (e.g., 145°F for Beef/Pork/Veal/Lamb, 165°F for Poultry).

• 95% of menu items per meal period must meet the standard.

• 95% of meals prepared must meet the standard for timely and courteous employee delivery.

• 100% compliance with sanitation requirements (no deviations).

• The document references "Ver. February 2023" and "EXHIBIT 1: TF THUNDER 28APRIL-31AUGUST 2026", indicating a period of performance within this timeframe.

• Delivery locations will differ based on unit drill or annual training schedules and will be determined at the order level.

• Delivery addresses are attached to Exhibit 1.

• Caterer must ensure delivery personnel have proper picture identification for entry onto government installations.

• Coordinate with the unit POC for installation/facility entry access.

• Operational Security: Work is unclassified but for official use only. Delivery locations, dates, personnel names, etc., must not be disseminated without a need to know. Comply with DoD security regulations.

• Food Portion Requirement: Each meal must contain a minimum of 5 primary food groups with specified quantities.

• Cancellation/Adjustment: Government reserves the right to make partial changes or cancel up to 72 hours before the event. Decreases or increases in meals are at no cost increase if given within a 72-hour notice.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. It constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The Louisiana Army National Guard (LAARNG) is seeking catered meals for the TF Thunder Security Mission in New Orleans, LA. This is a firm-fixed-price contract.

• Provision of "Boxed, daily ready-to-eat meals" for the TF Thunder Security Mission.

• Meals must be packaged according to commercial food safety standards and include an entree, sides, dessert, and utensil kit.

• Meals must be produced in commercial kitchens subject to current health inspections.

• Delivery must be within specified time windows.

• Meals must be labeled with preparation date/time and any dietary accommodations.

• Specific quantities are required for Breakfast Meals (11,340 each), Lunch Meals (11,340 each), Dinner Meals (17,500 each), and Midnight Lunch Meals (8,750 each).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Delivery period is from April 28, 2026, to August 31, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not specified.

• NAICS Code: 722320 (Food Service Contractors).

• Set-Aside: Small business set-aside.

• Submission Method: Email proposals/quotes to the Contract Specialist, Ms. Reva Johnson (reva.l.johnson3.mil@army.mil).

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be based on price and other factors, including:

  • Vendor location relative to delivery location.
  • Proposed menu for all days.
  • Vendor capability statement for meal transportation to maintain FDA temperature standards.
  • Copy of State/Local government Health Inspection Report (completed less than 12 months prior to submission).
  • Past performance on other government contracts.

• Evaluation Process: The agency will first evaluate price, then evaluate the lowest-priced quote for acceptability based on the five factors. Unacceptable offers will be passed over.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Solicitation Issued: March 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
  • Deadline for Questions/Clarifications: April 6, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
  • Solicitation Closes: April 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m. Central Time.

• This requirement is solicited as a small business set-aside.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM and remain active during the period of performance.

• Offerors must submit UEI, Duns & Bradstreet, CAGE Code, and Federal Tax ID numbers.

• All prices are inclusive of all services, supplies, and delivery.

• Submission of a quote acknowledges receipt and understanding of the requirements.

• Vendors are advised that uncertainties about the requirement should be addressed prior to submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGE) for meals, serving as a template for cost estimation. It details the estimated costs for a meal service contract.

• Project Title: 1-141FA TF DEFENDER NOLA
• Requestor: 256th IBCT/1-141 FA
• Period of Performance: April 10, 2026 - August 31, 2026
• Cost Breakdown: Includes estimated costs for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Midnight Lunch, with a total estimated cost of $879,290.00.
• Narrative: Provides requirement information including Unit POC, BDE POC, Location (New Orleans), Meal Plan Type, and Justification (Louisiana activated for Task Force Thunder Mission).
• Basis of Estimate: Based on BDFA Rates provided by J4-FS. The contract was procured competitively, and the price was determined fair and reasonable.
• CLIN Structure: Outlines firm fixed prices based on the contract's CLIN structure.
• Escalation Rate: No escalation rate was applied due to the contract length. Anticipated award date is April 6, 2026.

This document provides a detailed cost estimate for a meal service requirement. Bidders can use this information to understand the government's estimated budget, the breakdown of costs per meal type, and the overall scope and duration of the requirement. It also indicates the basis for the estimate and the procurement approach, which can inform proposal development and pricing strategies.