U.S. House of Representatives’ Members’ Dining Room

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Members' Dining Room (MDR) and Capitol Market RFI (Request for Information), OAM26017S. It clarifies operational details, historical context, and potential future requirements.

• Flatware: While not explicitly addressed in the RFI, vendors can submit capability statements that support the MDR's operational goals.
• Capacity: Dining room capacity varies, historically ranging from approximately 20 to over 100 guests.
• Sales Data: Historical sales data (2016-2025) is available in Attachment 3.
• Member Payment: Members are expected to pay market prices for meals.
• Reservation System: No current system is in place; OpenTable was used previously. Future platforms may be evaluated.
• Exclusivity: Vendor exclusivity for catering rights has not been determined.
• Space Allocation: Space allocation between MDR and Capitol Market will be determined at award, with potential for shared kitchen space.
• Cost Model: The previous model was commission-based; future models are under evaluation.
• Procurement: Contractors are responsible for independently procuring food, beverages, and supplies, coordinating directly with approved vendors.
• Kitchen Construction: Finishes, fixtures, lighting, and related elements will be updated. Kitchen hoods and ductwork in the Capitol Market will be replaced.
• Aesthetic Changes: Vendors may propose aesthetic enhancements to dining rooms, subject to preservation and coordination guidelines.
• Kitchen Operations: Historically, the upstairs kitchen supported the basement kitchen for prep work, while the upstairs focused on plating and service.
• Voltage Limitations: Specific voltage details are not provided, but vendors must operate within available electrical capacity and proposed equipment will be reviewed.
• Finishes: New kitchen floor and wall finishes will be durable, non-porous, and easy-to-clean, complying with food safety standards.
• Uniforms: No established uniform or service attire program exists; the selected vendor would propose standards.

This Q&A document provides crucial details that may influence how vendors prepare their capability statements and understand the scope of potential future solicitations. It clarifies operational aspects, historical practices, and areas where vendor input is sought, particularly regarding design, furnishings, and service models. The House is exploring various approaches and welcomes industry input.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Attachment 3 Sales Data - MDR and Capitol Market," provides historical sales data for two distinct market segments: "Members' Dining Room*" and "Capitol Market." This data is intended to inform potential bidders about past performance and revenue trends relevant to the opportunity.

• The data is presented in a table format, listing sales figures by year from 2016 to 2025.
• Two columns detail the sales for "Members' Dining Room*" and "Capitol Market."
• A footnote clarifies that the "Members' Dining Room*" data "Excludes Catering."

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the historical financial performance of the services or markets related to the opportunity. It can be used to:

• Assess the potential scale and value of the contract.
• Develop realistic pricing strategies.
• Understand market trends and fluctuations.
• Inform business case development for proposal submission.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. House of Representatives for market research to gather industry insights, operational concepts, service models, and approaches for the House Members' Dining Room (MDR) and potentially the Capitol Market. The goal is to understand capabilities and options to improve operations and inform future planning. The House is particularly interested in innovative service ideas for a secure, high-profile environment, approaches balancing tradition with fiscal responsibility, hybrid operational scenarios, and lessons learned from comparable operations.

Respondents are requested to provide recommendations on:

• Operating and managing high-level dining and hospitality services in historic or protected facilities.
• Innovative service delivery, efficiency, and Member experience without extensive structural modifications.
• Investments or enhancements balancing preservation with modern needs.
• Industry standards for staffing, service levels, culinary operations, and hospitality management.
• Lessons learned from similar historic, governmental, or institutional dining operations.
• Potential operational and infrastructural enhancements for the MDR and Capitol Market.
• Assessment of the MDR environment, including operational challenges, renovation limitations, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Proposed approaches for future operation or enhancement, considering feasibility, traffic peaks/lulls, minimal structural alterations, and alignment with industry best practices.
• Potential operational models (on-site, remote, hybrid).
• Renovation and refurbishment concepts respecting historic designations and constraints.
• Expansion of operating hours and access for additional user groups.
• Additional insights on workforce, supply chain, and long-term sustainability.

This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals, quotations, or offers. It does not obligate the Government to award a contract or pay for information provided.

• Submissions should be concise, clearly organized, and written in plain language, demonstrating independent analysis and real-world experience.
• Questions regarding the RFI are due by February 26, 2026.
• A webinar is scheduled for February 5, 2026.
• Scheduled site walks are available on February 18-19, 2026.
• Capability statements are due by March 23, 2026, at 2 PM EST.

Not applicable, as this is an RFI.

• The MDR and Capitol Market will be closed for extensive kitchen renovations from August 2025 to summer 2027, with services resuming in fall 2027.
• Modifications to dining spaces must adhere to historic designations and limitations set by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
• Responses should not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.
• The U.S. House of Representatives is not subject to Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed floor plans and an equipment schedule for the Members' Dining Room and Capitol Market areas. It is intended to inform bidders about the physical layout and existing or required equipment for these spaces.

• Floor Plans: Includes layouts for the Capitol Market (7050 SF) and Members' Dining Room (4100 SF), detailing areas such as kitchens, seating, service, retail, and various dining rooms. Basement kitchen plans are also provided.
• Equipment Schedule: A comprehensive list of kitchen and service equipment, including item quantity, description, and remarks (e.g., 'EXISTING / RELOCATE', 'NIKEC / BY VENDOR'). This schedule details items like refrigerators, freezers, ovens, fryers, sinks, worktables, exhaust hoods, and beverage stations.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the physical environment and the scope of any potential renovation, installation, or equipment procurement required for the Members' Dining Room and Capitol Market. It helps in assessing the complexity of the work, identifying existing infrastructure, and planning for necessary equipment or modifications.