Albany MEPS Noon Meals

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation W9124D26QA097 serves two primary purposes:

• Clause Update: It updates the Deviation for FAR Clause 52.222-90, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors," from Deviation 2026-00038 to Deviation 2026-00040.

• Questions & Answers: It provides answers to questions received during the open question period regarding the Albany MEPS Noon Meals requirement.

• FAR Clause 52.222-90 (DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors) has been modified.

• The amendment addresses questions that may impact how bidders prepare their proposals regarding meal and beverage assortments.

• Meal Quantities: The contractor will be notified daily of the total number of meals required. The contractor must provide an assorted variety of sandwiches based on this quantity, adhering to the PDS specifications. Only vegetarian sandwiches are ordered by specific type.

• Beverage Selections: A variety of drinks must be provided daily, as per PDS Paragraphs 3.4.8 through 3.4.9.3.

• Individual Selections Notification: Only vegetarian/veggie sandwiches and whole milk will be annotated on the daily order notification.

• Contract Specialist Olivia Y. Aguilar at olivia.y.aguilar.civ@army.mil.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (RFQ W9124D26QA097) is for the procurement of Boxed Noon Meals (sub sandwiches) for applicants processing through the Albany Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

• Provision of Boxed Noon Meals (sub sandwiches).

• Meals must be provided in accordance with the attached Products and Delivery Specification Details (PDS).

• The service is required for a base period and two option periods.

• Contract Type: Fixed Price.

• Base Period: 1 July 2026 through 30 June 2027.

• Option Period 1: 1 July 2027 through 30 June 2028.

• Option Period 2: 1 July 2028 through 30 June 2029.

• The government guarantees to procure $1500.00 of boxed noon meals for the base period.

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price.

• Offer Due Date: 01 June 2026, 10:00 AM Local Time.

• Offerors must submit questions in writing by 14 May 2026, 10:00 AM ET.

• Quotes must be emailed to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Award will be made to a single offeror who is deemed responsible, whose proposal conforms to requirements, and represents the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable offer.

• Trade-offs between cost/price and non-cost/price factors are not permitted.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Factor 1: Health Inspection Report (must be current, score "A" or "B", 85+, or "pass").
  • Factor 2: Past Performance (acceptable/unacceptable basis, recent and relevant within 36 months, contracts valued at a minimum of $25,000).

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer due date.

• This acquisition is a Small Business set-aside.

• North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS): 311991.

• Size Standard: 700.

• Standard Form 1449 must be executed.

• A legible copy of the state or local government health inspection report is required.

• Subcontractor agreements must be in writing.

• Unit prices must be quoted to the whole penny.

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

To provide noon meals for Armed Forces applicants processing at the Albany Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

• Provide noon meals Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays and training days, and up to 28 Saturdays annually.
• Provide "mission day" meals for applicants processing late into the evening or night.
• Meals to be delivered daily by 10:00 a.m. to the MEPS Operations Control Desk.
• Contractor is responsible for securing their own parking.

Each noon meal must include:

• A sub-type sandwich (white or whole wheat, 6-inch, 2.5 oz minimum).

• Meat (4.0 oz minimum): Ham, Turkey, or Roast Beef (sliced).

• Cheese (minimum 1 oz, except on veggie subs): Swiss, Provolone, or American.

• Veggie sandwiches must include lettuce, onions, pickles, green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and at least 4 slices (2 oz) of cheese.

• Individually wrapped lettuce and tomato.

• One bag of chips (1 oz or larger).

• One pre-packaged dessert (large cookie or two medium cookies).

• One medium fresh apple or banana (minimum 1/3 pound).

• One straw and one paper napkin.

• Cold beverages: variety of carbonated soft drinks (diet/regular, 12 oz minimum), bottled water (500 ml or 20 oz), iced tea (12 oz minimum), and whole milk (1/2 pint, upon request).

• Condiments: individual serving of yellow mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and vinaigrette.

• Meals to be packaged in sturdy containers, clearly marked with the meal type (e.g., ham, turkey, veggie, roast beef).

• Meals must be delivered in a cooler or similar container to maintain proper temperature.

• Contractor must maintain a self-inspection program for quality control.

• Contractor and employees must complete AT Level I, iWATCH, and OPSEC training within 30 days of contract award and annually thereafter.

• Contractor must comply with all personal identity verification requirements and installation access procedures.

• Location: 11A Clinton Avenue, Suite 210, Albany, New York 12207.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but daily service is required.

• Notification of subcontractor at proposal submission and after contract award.

• Written notification of subcontractor changes within 10 days to the Contracting Officer (KO).

• Submission of training certificates for affected employees.

• Daily notification of meal numbers by 8:00 a.m.

• Monthly invoices due by the third workday of the following month.

• Payment via Government Purchase Card (GPC).

• Historical lunch quantity data is provided for information only and does not guarantee future performance.

• Government will provide the annual operations schedule and notify contractor in advance when services are not required on scheduled Saturdays.

• Government will transfer meals from contractor-owned containers to government-owned refrigerators.