Fort Jackson Boxed Noon Meals Services

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, identified as W9124D26QA1190002, is for "Fort Jackson MEPS Noon Meal Services." The government is procuring noon meals (sub sandwiches) to be provided and served to applicants processing through the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Columbia, SC.

• Provision and service of noon meals (sub sandwiches).

• Meals to be delivered and ready for service between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

• Contractor personnel must remain on-site during the entire serving period.

• Contractor must ensure the dining area is left in the required condition after service.

• Meals must be prepared at the contractor's food preparation facility.

• Contractor must comply with AR 40-657, requiring a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit for approval as a sanitarily approved source.

• Health inspection report for the food preparation facility, less than 12 months old, with a score of "A" or "B" (or equivalent), is required.

• Background investigation and AT Level I + OPSEC training are required for contractor personnel requiring installation access.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Base period from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027. Includes two option periods.

  • Option Period 1: September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2028.
  • Option Period 2: September 1, 2028, to August 31, 2029.

• Estimated Quantity: 15,219 meals per period.

• Government Guarantee: $1500.00 of noon meals for the base period.

• Previous Contract Value: $671,254.76 (W9124D21D0021).

• NAICS Code: 722310.

• Size Standard: USD 47,000,000.00.

• Offer Due Date: May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM local time.

• Submission Method: Email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Evaluation: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Factor 1: Health Inspection Report.
  • Factor 2: Past Performance (acceptable/unacceptable).

• Proposal Price Validity: 150 calendar days from the offer due date.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Limitations on Subcontracting clause applies.

• Questions due by May 8, 2026.

• Standard Form 1449 is required.

• Subcontractor agreements must be in writing.

• Prices must be quoted to the whole penny.

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

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the solicitation W9124D26QA119-0002.

• Wage Determination Update: The applicable Wage Determination for South Carolina/Richland has been updated. The previous version was WD #2015-4429, Revision 32, dated March 30, 2026. The new version is WD #2015-4429, Revision 32, dated May 13, 2026.

• Point of Contact: The point of contact for this amendment is Contract Specialist, Amy Gawarecki, at amy.l.gawarecki.civ@army.mil.

• CLIN 0001: The description for CLIN 0001, which pertains to providing and serving Noon Meals (sub sandwiches) at the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), has been updated to reflect the new Wage Determination date.

• Solicitation Number: The amendment is to Solicitation Number W9124D26QA119, dated April 24, 2026.

This amendment does not appear to change the proposal submission deadline or evaluation factors, but bidders should ensure they are using the most current Wage Determination information for their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (W9124D26QA1190001) is for "Fort Jackson MEPS Noon Meal Services." The government is procuring noon meals for applicants processing through the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Columbia, SC.

• Provide and serve noon meals (sub sandwiches) to applicants.

• Meals are to be delivered and ready for service by 10:30 a.m. daily.

• Contractor must accommodate special dietary needs upon request.

• Contractor personnel require installation access.

• Contractor must pass a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Base period from 01 Sep 2026 to 31 Aug 2027, with two option periods extending through 31 Aug 2029.

• Estimated Quantity: 15,219 meals per period.

• Government guarantees to procure $1500.00 of noon meals for the base period.

• Previous contract (W9124D21D0021) had a total evaluated price of $671,254.76.

• Offer Due Date: 21 May 2026, 10:00 AM local time.

• Quotes are to be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Evaluation Factors: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

  • Factor 1: Health Inspection Report (must be "A" or "B" score, or equivalent, within 12 months of submission).
  • Factor 2: Past Performance (acceptable/unacceptable basis, recent and relevant within 36 months, involving contracts valued at a minimum of $25,000).

• Prices must be quoted to the whole penny.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 722310 (Food Service Contractors), Size Standard: $47,000,000.00.

• Limitations on Subcontracting apply (50% for services).

• Questions due by 8 May 2026.

• Standard Form 1449 is required.

• Subcontractor agreements must be in writing.

• Health inspection report required for the food preparation facility.

• Performance starts on September 1, 2026.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment incorporates industry questions and government responses, and updates the applicable Wage Determination.

• Wage Determination Update: The applicable Wage Determination has changed from WD # 2015-4429, Revision 31 (dated 12/03/2025) to WD # 2015-4429, Revision 32 (dated 03/30/2026).

• Questions and Answers: The amendment includes responses to questions regarding:

  • Notification lead time for high-volume meal orders and minimum order guarantees.
  • Advance notification for Saturday service and provision of an operational calendar.
  • Government holidays and MEPS training/stand-down days impacting service.
  • Menu rotation requirements and nutritional guidelines.
  • Accommodation of special dietary needs.
  • Packaging requirements.
  • Availability of Government-furnished space, equipment, or storage.
  • Designated delivery points and service areas.
  • Contractor presence during the service window.
  • Personnel access requirements and staffing levels.
  • Timeline for training completion and installation access.
  • Background investigation requirements.
  • Consideration of commercial past performance.
  • Evaluation method (LPTA vs. best-value tradeoff).
  • Pricing structure (single firm-fixed price vs. tiered pricing).
  • Option year pricing and economic price adjustments.
  • Separate line item for Saturday service.
  • Use of local subcontractors.
  • Limitations on subcontracting.
  • Transition period between contracts.
  • Quote submission form and structure.
  • Submission method (email vs. DIBBS).
  • Subcontracting to suppliers near Fort Lee.
  • Subcontractor information requirements.
  • Certification requirements.
  • Pricing guidance and historical ranges.
  • Meal format confirmation.

• Block 14 (Description of Amendment/Modification): Updated with industry questions and government responses.

• CLIN 0001 (Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs): The applicable Wage Determination has been updated.

• The amendment clarifies various aspects of the solicitation, impacting how offerors should prepare their proposals and understand requirements. Specific deadlines are not explicitly extended in this amendment, but offerors should review all incorporated Q&A for any potential impact on their submissions.

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

To provide noon (boxed lunch) meals for Armed Forces applicants processing at the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

• Prepare meals in a licensed facility and transport them to the MEPS.

• Serve noon meals to MEPS applicants.

• Clean the serving and dining site daily and remove all accumulated garbage and trash.

• Ensure the dining area is returned to its original condition.

• Provide beverages (carbonated soft drinks, water, iced tea, milk) and condiments (mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, vinaigrette) with each meal.

• Deliver meals in sturdy, clearly marked containers.

• Handle administrative functions for meal services, including accounting for meals and obtaining applicant signatures.

• Prepare and deliver meals Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays and training days, with potential for up to 28 Saturdays annually and additional "mission day" meals for late processing.

• Meals must be prepared in a sanitarily approved source facility, passing a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit.

• Food preparation facilities must comply with state and local health department rules.

• Food must be prepared at the contractor's facility and transported to the MEPS.

• Specific meal content requirements include sandwich (6-inch, 2.5 oz minimum), 4 oz meat minimum, 2 slices cheese (1 oz minimum), chips (1 oz bag), pre-packaged dessert (cookies), medium fruit (apple/banana), straw, and napkin.

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

• Lettuce and tomato must be wrapped separately.

• Beverages must be a variety of carbonated soft drinks (diet/regular), bottled water, iced tea, and whole milk when requested.

• Condiments must be individually packaged.

• Meals served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Government estimates an average of 58 noon meals daily, with a maximum of 175. The MEPS will notify the contractor daily by 8:00 a.m. of the required number of lunches.

• Location: Fort Jackson MEPS, 2435 Marion Avenue, Columbia, South Carolina 29207.

• Services provided Monday-Friday, excluding legal holidays and training days, plus up to 28 Saturdays annually.

• Contractors and employees require Real ID for base access and must undergo a 100% accountability check.

• All contractor employees requiring access to government installations must complete AT Level I, iWATCH, and OPSEC training within 30 days of contract award and annually thereafter. Certificates/confirmations must be submitted.

• Contractor workforce must comply with personal identity verification requirements.

• Subcontracting is permitted, but notification of subcontractors is required at proposal submission and after award.

• Contractor must maintain a program of self-inspection.

• Government-furnished property includes dining area, tables, chairs, and waste receptacles. No other equipment will be provided.

• Contractor is responsible for all food, facilities, furniture, equipment, supplies, management, supervision, and labor.

• Contractor must be able to accept Government Purchase Card (GPC) for payment.

• Invoices are due monthly by the third workday of the month following delivery.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (RFQ W9124D26QA119) is for the provision and service of Noon Meals (sub sandwiches) to applicants processing through the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Columbia, SC. The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Provide and serve Noon Meals (sub sandwiches).

• Services are to be performed at the Fort Jackson MEPS in Columbia, SC.

• The applicable Wage Determination is 2015-4429, Revision 31, dated December 3, 2025.

• A Performance Work Statement (PWS) is available and referenced.

• A state or local government health inspection report for the food preparation facility is required, with a score of "A" or "B", 85 or above, or "pass".

• Subcontractor agreements must be in writing and fully executed.

• The Fort Jackson MEPS requires contractors to pass a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit to be a sanitarily approved source.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Period: September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.
  • Option Period 1: September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2028.
  • Option Period 2: September 1, 2028, to August 31, 2029.

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

• Estimated quantities for the base and option periods are 15,219 each.

• The total duration of the contract, including options, shall not exceed 3 years.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 150 calendar days from the quote receipt date.

• Questions are due by May 8, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Facsimile quotes are not accepted.

• Award will be made to a single, responsible offeror 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 include: Health Inspection Report and Past Performance (acceptable/unacceptable).

• Past performance is considered recent if within the previous 36 months and relevant if involving contracts valued at a minimum of $25,000.00.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 722310, Size Standard: $47,000,000.00.

• Standard Form 1449 is required.

• The document incorporates numerous FAR and DFARS clauses by reference, including those related to small business, labor standards, and unique item identification.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide noon (boxed lunch) meals for Armed Forces applicants processing at the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

• Prepare and deliver noon meals daily, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays and scheduled training days. A maximum of 28 Saturdays annually are included.
• Provide "mission day" meals for applicants processing late into the evening on select days (up to two per month).
• Meals must be prepared in a state/local licensed facility that passes a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit.
• Contractor employees require access to government installations and must complete specific training (AT Level I, iWATCH, OPSEC).
• Contractor must comply with installation access and security requirements.

Each noon meal must include:

• A 6-inch submarine bun (white or whole wheat, min. 2.5 oz).

• 4 oz. of meat (ham, turkey, or roast beef) or a veggie sub with at least 2 oz. of cheese.

• 2 slices of cheese (min. 1 oz.) for non-veggie subs.

• Lettuce and tomato (individually wrapped).

• A bag of chips (plain, 1 oz or larger).

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

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

• One straw and one paper napkin.

• Beverages: carbonated soft drinks (diet/regular, 12 oz min.), bottled water (500 ml or 20 oz), ice tea (12 oz min.), and whole milk (1/2 pint, upon request).

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

• Meals must be delivered in sturdy, clearly marked containers.

• Serving and dining site must be cleaned daily, and trash removed.

• Services provided daily, Monday-Friday, plus up to 28 Saturdays annually.

• Location: Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), Columbia, South Carolina.

• Contractor must have a Real ID to access the installation.

• Subcontracting is permitted with notification to the KO.

• Food preparation facilities must be approved by a Veterinary Service Food Protection Audit.

• Contractor must maintain a self-inspection program.

• Government-furnished property includes dining area, tables, chairs, and waste receptacles.

• Contractor-furnished property includes all food, facilities, furniture, equipment, supplies, management, supervision, and labor.

• Payment will be made via Government Purchase Card (GPC).