TRAYLINE BRAND NAME OR EQUAL
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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking proposals for a hospital-grade, fully integrated trayline system for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. This unrestricted acquisition aims to replace an outdated system to improve operational efficiency, food safety, and patient meal service. Proposals are due Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for a 100% turnkey trayline system, including all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, supervision, and technical expertise for furnishing, delivery, removal of existing equipment, installation, configuration, testing, and making the system fully operational. The system must be fully integrated, with all components functioning cohesively. Brand name or equal solutions must demonstrate equivalent system-wide integration.
Key Requirements
The system must include a Hot Food Server (4-5 wells), Gravity Shelf System with Bin Storage, Tray Table (non-refrigerated), Refrigerated Tray Table, Refrigerated Storage Unit (B-Cool Type), Mobile Tray Dispenser, and Mobile Heated Plate Dispenser, meeting specific salient characteristics and dimensions. The system must be compatible with existing facility infrastructure, with the contractor responsible for minor utility adjustments; major construction or extensive utility upgrades are not permitted. The contractor must also remove, haul, and dispose of existing trayline equipment and provide on-site training for staff. All equipment must be new, commercially available, and meet or exceed stated requirements, including NSF certification (or equivalent) and UL listing.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ 36C25026Q0489)
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted
- NAICS: 333310 (Size Standard: 1,000 employees)
- Period of Performance: Delivery, installation, and full system implementation within 90 calendar days from award.
- Place of Performance: Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106.
- Published Date: April 28, 2026
- Site Visit: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2 PM EST (Lobby, 1620 East 105th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106).
- Questions Due: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 1 PM EST (Email to Rachelle.Hamer@va.gov, subject: "RFK 36C25026Q0489 “Trayline”").
- Responses Due: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5 PM EST (Email to rachelle.hamer@va.gov, subject: "RFQ 36C25026Q0489|Trayline").
Submission & Evaluation
Offers will be accepted electronically via email. Required documents include an authorized distribution letter, brochures/cut sheets of equipment, and line item pricing. Evaluation will use a Best Value Tradeoff methodology, where Technical is more important than Past Performance, which is more important than Price. Non-price factors are significantly more important than Price. Award will be made on an all-or-none basis to the offeror whose quotation represents the best value.
Eligibility & Notes
Contractors must be an OEM authorized dealer, distributor, or reseller. Registration in SAM is required prior to award. Offerors must also complete and submit the "Trade Agreements Certificate" (FEB 2021) certifying the origin of end products (U.S.-made or from a designated country), listing any non-compliant items.