SAM #PAN41027P00000XXXXX

Army market research for individually packaged catering meals in Cristóbal Colón, Panama

The U.S. Army is seeking information from capable providers of individually packaged meal catering for operations at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, Panama. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of the Army, Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC), 418th Contracting Support Brigade, W6QM MICC–Fort Bliss; supporting Joint Security Cooperation Group–Panama (JSCG-P). - Requirement: Prepare, individually package, transport, and deliver meals for Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) students and Rotational Training Unit (RTU) personnel. - JOTC: Four-day RSOI course meals—dinner on Day 1 and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Days 2–4—for an anticipated 120–150 students per course. - RTU: Breakfast and dinner during rotating training and operational periods; quantities and rotation durations may vary. - Notable requirements: Meals must be suitable for sanitary distribution in austere field conditions. Buffet service and serving lines are not required. Proposed food-preparation facilities must receive a Government-accepted Food and Water Risk Assessment before award. - Notice context: This is market research through a sources-sought notice, not a solicitation. No OEMs or vendors are named in the provided information. - Performance period: Anticipated 12 months; no option periods are stated.

Description

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ISSUED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION, REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ), OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP).

The Government is conducting market research to identify qualified sources capable of providing Food Catering Services in support of Joint Security Cooperation Group - Panama (JSCG-P) operations at Base Aeronaval Cristobal, Colón, Panama.

The purpose of this notice is to identify capable sources, assess industry capability and availability, and obtain industry feedback regarding the anticipated requirement. This notice is issued solely for market research purposes and to provide industry with advance notice of a potential upcoming solicitation. A solicitation has not been issued at this time

Requirement: 

The Joint Security Cooperation Group–Panama (JSCG-P) requires contractor-provided, individually packaged meal preparation and delivery services to support recurring training and operational requirements at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón (formerly known as Fort Sherman), Panama. The requirement supports Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) students through recurring four-day RSOI meal service during a 12-month base period, with anticipated attendance of 120 to 150 students per course. Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI) meal service includes dinner on Day 1 and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Days 2 through 4.  The requirement also supports Rotational Training Unit (RTU) personnel during rotating training and operational periods under a 12-month base period. RTU meal support includes two meals per day: breakfast and dinner. Meal quantities and rotation durations may vary according to mission requirements. The Contractor shall prepare, package, transport, and deliver meals as individual to-go meals to support sanitary distribution under austere field conditions; buffet service and serving lines are not required. The Contractor shall remain flexible to accommodate changes to schedules, meal quantities, serving times, delivery locations, and personnel requirements while complying with applicable food safety, sanitation, hygiene, and inspection requirements.

Pre-Award Food and Water Risk Assessment Requirement:

The Contractor shall identify the food preparation facility or facilities proposed for performance of this requirement. The proposed facility shall have a completed and Government-accepted Food and Water Risk Assessment (FWRA) before contract award, at no additional cost to the Government (Note: The contracting officer will coordinate a FWRA for all vendors who respond to this sources sought and validate intent to participate in the solicitation process).

If the Vendor does not have an established food preparation facility in the local vicinity of performance, the Vendor shall identify a proposed facility or provide a representative temporary facility, when directed by the Government, that mirrors the Vendor’s planned operational capability for Government FWRA assessment

The Government shall conduct or coordinate the FWRA assessment and determine whether the facility and associated risks are acceptable at the appropriate level of approval before contract award.

If the FWRA assessment or associated risks are not accepted by the Government, the Vendor shall not be eligible for contract award

When time permits, the Government may allow the Vendor an opportunity to correct identified FWRA deficiencies or risks. The Government is not required to provide an opportunity for corrective action before making an award decision.

Period of Performance: The Government anticipates a twelve-month Period of Performance beginning on or about 01 November 2026. The anticipated Period of Performance is provided for planning purposes only and is subject to change.

Requested Information:  Interested vendors are encouraged to provide information regarding their capability to satisfy the anticipated requirement.

Company name, UEI, CAGE Code, Socio-Economic Classfications (8a, HUBZONE, WOSB, SDVOSB) NAICS codes, and points of contact. A brief description of the company’s experience and capability to perform the requirement described above. Confirmation of the ability to provide adequate food catering services at  Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón (formerly known as Fort Sherman), Panama. (Optional) Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) to include general pricing information for market research purposes. Estimated lead time from contract award to contractor's delivery or commencement of performance. Identification of whether food catering support can be provided from the Cristobal Colon area. Identification of any anticipated risks, challenges, or logistical considerations associated with performing this requirement.

Response Instructions The Government is particularly interested in identifying vendors capable of commencing performance on or about 01 November 2026.

Interested vendors shall submit responses electronically no later than 12 October 2026; 12:00PM Central Time to:  MAJ Vernon Shank @ vernon.d.shank.mil@army.gov and SSG Edgardo Malave @ edgardo.malave.mil@army.mil.

Responses should be limited to five (5) pages, excluding product literature or brochures.

The Government will use the information received to support acquisition planning, refine the Performance Work Statement as appropriate, and determine the availability of capable sources. The Government anticipates issuing a solicitation shortly after completion of this market research.

Interested vendors are encouraged to begin assessing inventory availability and mobilization capabilities in anticipation of the forthcoming solicitation.

This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, award a contract, or reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in responding to this notice.

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