Request For Proposals (RFP) - USDA South Building Foodservice Operator - Washington D.C.   3

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks a qualified Foodservice Contractor to operate a dining service program offering innovative and unique approaches to dining and sustainability. USDA will engage a Foodservice Contractor to operate the existing cafeteria in its South building. This Performance Work Statement includes the minimum operating requirements for the foodservices, including a recommended performance evaluation program.

The USDA will select a Foodservice Contractor who will deliver a variety of high quality, freshly prepared, sustainably produced and procured, foods daily and that creates strong customer satisfaction. USDA envisions dining services that offer a diversity freshly prepared food that integrate the practices as outlined in the Federal Food Service Guidelines, the incorporation of national brands, the utilization of American products and has a positive societal impact. USDA expects these to include;

• Food and beverage items that are fresh and locally or organically grown, when feasible, but otherwise produced in the United States.
• A full-service dining program that economically supports sustainable food systems as a way of contributing to the vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in America.
• Back-of-House Operations that include a verifiable waste reduction program that includes composting program; verifiable recycling program, uses (to the maximum extent possible) environmentally preferable products including products that are BioPreferred, made from recycled materials that are recyclable and/or biodegradable; and uses environmentally preferable practices.

***See attached Amendment 1 for Questions and Answers***