Senate Food and Related Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has issued RFP # AOCSSB26R0002 for Senate Food and Related Services for the United States Senate. This opportunity seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive food service operations, vending, catering, and related services across various Senate facilities. The contract is structured as a commission-plus-fixed-fee model, where the contractor pays the AOC a commission on gross receipts, and the AOC may pay the contractor a fixed fee. Proposals are due Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be responsible for operating and managing exclusive food services at specified venues, including a fine dining executive dining room (SDR), cafeteria, carryout facility, 24/7 convenience store, coffee shop, vending operations, and catering. These services will be performed within the U.S. Capitol Building, Dirksen, Hart, and Russell Senate Office Buildings, and the U.S. Capitol Police Headquarters. Key responsibilities include:
- Maintaining high food quality, safety, and customer service standards.
- Operating hours aligned with unpredictable Senate schedules and accommodating last-minute requests.
- Adhering to strict sanitation, environmental standards, and FDA Food Code.
- Providing an updated Price and Portion Guide annually.
- Managing Contractor-Owned Inventory and proposing Food Service Area Modifications.
- Providing and maintaining a Point of Sale (POS) system with specific technical requirements (e.g., cashierless, mobile ordering, KDS, loyalty programs).
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Commission-plus-fixed-fee, single award.
- Period of Performance: A base period from award (anticipated by March 8, 2027) to December 31, 2031, with full restaurant operations commencing December 31, 2027. Includes two (2) four-year option periods and a six-month extension, potentially totaling up to 12 years.
- Financial Structure: Contractor bears performance and financial risks, pays AOC a commission on gross receipts, and receives an optional fixed fee from AOC. Contractor is responsible for capital investments and renovations.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- NAICS Code: 722310 (Food Service Contractors).
Key Requirements
- Personnel: Requires qualified key personnel (e.g., Executive Chef, General Manager, Catering Director) with specific experience. Bidders should account for Public Law 110-279 regarding continued Federal employee benefits for former Senate Restaurant employees and the Service Contract Act Wage Determination (J.17).
- Deliveries: All deliveries to the Capitol Complex require advance notification and processing through the USCP Off-Site Delivery Center (OSDC).
- Security: Personnel must undergo criminal history background checks (Form CP-491).
Submission & Evaluation
- Questions Due: Friday, April 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, submitted via Kiteworks using Attachment J.16.
- Pre-proposal Conference & Walk-through: Monday, April 27, 2026. Limit two individuals per vendor; registration required.
- Proposal Due: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
- Submission Method: Electronically via AOC’s secure file transfer site, Kiteworks. Offerors must request access to Kiteworks and submit a Non-disclosure Agreement (J.22) for sensitive information.
- Evaluation Factors: Best Value determination considering Operational Plans and Proposed Services, Organizational Capabilities and Personnel Plan, Past Performance, and Completed Section B Pricing Schedules and Financial Projections. The AOC may award without discussions.
Important Notes
- The AOC is a legislative branch entity and not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
- Offerors must be actively registered in SAM.
- Proposals must be submitted in two volumes: Technical Proposal and Administrative and Financial, adhering to a specific file structure within Kiteworks.
- Attachments J.18 and J.19 (insurance sample and criminal history form) are not to be completed as part of the proposal submission.
- A Collective Bargaining Agreement (J.25) is in place, outlining terms for employees at Senate Food Service Operations.