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Request for Information (RFI) for Independent Assessment of Food 2.0 Program DESCRIPTION The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the Air Force Services Agency – Food Service and... Request for Information (RFI) for Independent Assessment of Food 2.0 Program DESCRIPTION The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the Air Force Services Agency – Food Service and Sustainment Branch (AFSVC) with obtaining information to review the Food 2.0 Program’s operational and management requirements for the Dining Services in military dining facilities, club facilities, and possibly throughout installations. The AF wishes to invite professional consulting firms who have conducted similar work in the food & beverage hospitality industry at large, multi-geographic institutions, such as colleges, universities, healthcare and other industries to respond. Consultants should have experience with assessing independent, chain owned or concessionaire type food service operations which have evolved over time, experience with regulations applicable to AbilityOne nonprofit agency subcontractors and Union contracts, and possess knowledge of lessons learned or industry best practices, as well as beneficial cost adjustments over the lifecycle of these food operations. The AF invites responses from all interested Respondents on all the questions/subjects in Attachment A contained in this RFI. The AF does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses, nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or the AF’s use of such information. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the evaluation of the information received. The information collected in this RFI will be used to refine the AF’s requirements, and create the appropriate acquisition strategy. Respondents should note that this RFI is for planning purposes only, and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the AF. OBJECTIVE The AF seeks information and input on proven approaches, methodologies, metrics and examples for assessing cost effectiveness of food service operational and management requirements for the Dining Services, similar to the Food 2.0 program, when compared to traditional cafeteria style facilities. AF seeks to answer the question below: What method, strategies, metrics and approaches can be used to improve operations, optimize performance and reduce or contain costs? Please limit your response to no more than 60 pages (not including illustrations) in Microsoft Word format. Please provide your responses directly after each of the requests for information and in the order listed in this RFI. Respondents are not required to address all the requirements listed. BACKGROUND In 2008, the Air Force tested an innovative theory of transforming its Food & Beverage (F&B) operations under a Food Transformation Initiative (FTI) after it was determined that the methods of operating then legacy base-level F&B operations was not adequately meeting the needs of Airmen and the base community. Additionally, costs of the legacy F&B programs were increasing at a high rate. As a result, the Air Force embarked on testing FTI using off-installation, large scale, multi-year transformation initiatives using the below listed key objectives. FTI has transformed and evolved over the past decade and operates currently as the Food 2.0 Program. Today more than 50 dedicated staff resources provide centralized program management, technology, contracting, logistics and financial management to 40 locations at 26 installations. Additionally, each installation has layers of enterprise and government leadership. The original business case key objectives from FTI remain the same under Food 2.0, and are noted as follows: Maintain and train military home base/war fighting feeding capabilities; Improve efficiency, reduce costs and optimize service delivery; Focus on changing lifestyles, needs, and preferences; Enhance food quality, variety and availability; Improve programs and facilities; Provide modern, sought after, trendy and nutritious meals; Restore a sense of community; and Partner with supporting socio-economically disadvantaged groups, where financial viable. Objectives have largely been met, with the exception of #2. Post-transition from FTI, the current Food 2.0 Program is now experiencing the following challenges and concerns: Higher than normal industry food, labor and contractor costs. Portfolio approach used to grow program over time does not employ regional or industry multi-unit logic, increasing travel costs extensively for geographical location management. Remote management teams for both contractor and military/government are used in addition to a variety of standardized systems (menus, recipes, Front-of-House (FOH) and Back-of-House (BOH), customer Food Service Assessment Survey (FSAS), Prime Vendor and enterprise equipment care (SmartCare)). However, this management approach appears to be only partially impactful in correcting issues in program management. Program uses Contracting Officer Representative (s) (COR) at the base level and Program Contracting Officer Representative (s) PCOR at SVC/OPs headquarters, but lacks the documentation to validate detailed (daily, weekly, monthly and annual) contractor performance for rewarding positive performance in both Business & Industry (B&I) market sectors. With Food 2.0 operations, customers complain of higher food costs and boring and uninspiring food offerings, leading Air Force to believe things are not compliant with program objectives. Large contractor and subcontractor staffs have difficulty with reconciling invoices, payments, monitoring staffing schedules, food costs, contract compliance and take extended periods to finalize documentation for final payment on services delivered. Each operational location is unique, while requiring the same standardized level of service, style of service. Contractor and military staff sizes are customized to each operation, making it difficult to manage. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) and should not be construed as intent, commitment or promise to acquire or lease goods, services or solutions presented by Respondents. The AF will not be obligated to any Respondent as a result of this RFI. The AF is not obligated for any cost incurred by Respondents in the preparation of the Request for Information. The AF will not pay for any information herein requested, nor is liable for any costs incurred by the Respondent. For economy of presentation, special bindings, colored displays, promotional materials and the like are not required. But if they are presented, the AF will not be responsible for this cost. This RFI is being issued for the purpose of gaining knowledge of the approaches, methodologies and services available on the market that address the purpose of the RFI. The AF will review all information and recommendations received to assess our needs and define our requirements. All information obtained shall become the property of the AF upon receipt and will not be returned. Any information deemed to be confidential by Respondent should be clearly noted on the page(s) where confidential information is contained. However, the AF cannot guarantee that it will not be compelled to disclose all or part of any public record under the Texas Public Information Act, or Freedom of Information Act, since information deemed to be confidential by Respondent may not be considered confidential under state or federal law, or pursuant to a Court order. The AF welcomes Respondents to submit any pertinent information, except pricing, that the AF should consider, including topics that the AF have not addressed, but are related to the topics in our RFI. RESPONSE SUBMISSION The deadline for submitting a Response is 10:00 a.m., Central Time, August 31, 2021. Please submit One (1) complete electronic copy via PDF of your response using RFI Attachment A – Respondent Questionnaire. Respondents should send their Responses via email to: Connie.Beniquez@us.af.mil – Contract Specialist, AFSVC/SVCSF, Food Service and Sustainment Branch Questions about this RFI may be submitted via email to Connie.Beniquez@us.af.mil by August 10, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST. Any submissions received after 10:00 a.m. Central Time, on August 31, 2021 will not be considered. Please provide your responses in the same format and directly after each of the questions in Attachment A. Respondents are not required to enter information for all of the topics listed.