SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Feedback on Implementing the Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Concessions and Vending
- Notice Date
- 7/30/2015
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 722310
— Food Service Contractors
- Contracting Office
- General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service (PBS), Acquisition Management Division (3PQC) new, THE STRAWBRIDGE BUILDING, 20 NORTH 8TH STREET, Philadelphia,, Pennsylvania, 19107-3191, United States
- ZIP Code
- 19107-3191
- Solicitation Number
- FY15WellnessAmenityProgram
- Archive Date
- 9/30/2015
- Point of Contact
- Melissa Walker,
- E-Mail Address
-
npcsupport@cdc.gov
(npcsupport@cdc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Description : The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Wellness Amenity Program within the Office of Facilities Management and Services Programs in the Public Buildings Service is seeking information and feedback from parties interested in federal food service operations. Background : GSA, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), plans to update the Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operations (the “Guidelines”). These Guidelines are intended to assist federal food service contractors in providing a healthier and more efficient food service. The Guidelines update may include: (1) alignment with any changes in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans; (2) incorporation of new scientific evidence and best practices for implementation; (3) strategies to encourage the purchasing of healthier foods and beverages; and (4) guidance on efficiency of facility operations and food safety. Purpose : GSA is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather responses from the vending and food service industry, private and public sector worksite leadership, public and environmental health organizations, and other interested parties on the successes and barriers encountered when implementing the Guidelines, which were originally released in 2011. Assessment and Feasibility of Implementing the Guidelines: GSA is requesting responses on the following characteristics and topics: What factors or systems facilitated the implementation of the Guidelines in concessions and vending facilities? What were the barriers in implementing the Guidelines in concessions and vending facilities? Were certain components of the FSGs more difficult to implement than others? What were the benefits to the workforce as a result of implementing the GuidelinesResponses should focus on productivity, absenteeism, healthcare costs, and other workforce issues. Have you been able to document these benefits or are you aware of other sources documenting benefits? How did implementation of the Guidelines affect your organization financially? How did implementation of the Guidelines affect overall sales and profitability? How did implementation of the Guidelines specifically impact the sale of healthier foods or beverages? Were there other financial impacts of implementing the Guidelines? Do you have or are you aware of data demonstrating improved sales of healthier foods or beverages or other financial impacts? Were you able to identify and source foods and beverages that met the Guidelines? Were some foods and beverages more easily sourced than others? If so, why? What resources, skills, tools, or information were helpful for identifying and sourcing these foods and beverages? Were you able to identify and source seafood from responsibly managed fisheries and farms? What resources, skills, tools, or information were helpful for identifying and sourcing seafood from responsibly managed fisheries or farms? Answers may include public information or marketing strategies. Did you participate in waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs? If not, what were the barriers to participation? If yes, what strategies, resources, or information facilitated participation? What incentives or strategies were effective in supporting the implementation of the Guidelines and maximizing the sale of healthier foods and beveragesResponses should include strategies and incentives targeted towards vendors and customers. Examples of incentives and strategies could include education, item promotion, placement, pricing, and other behavioral design factors. Do you have or are you aware of data demonstrating the effectiveness of these strategies? What methods were used to demonstrate that the Guidelines were implemented effectively ( e.g., monthly reporting of the top 10 best-selling items, point of sale technology)? What experiences have organizations had in developing and implementing guidelines for non-federal food service settings that could inform the update of the GuidelinesPlease provide comments, including nutrition, food sourcing, waste management, facility efficiency, marketing, and strategies to encourage the purchase of healthy foods and beverages. Do you have any additional comments or insights to share, or suggestions for items that should be added or revised in this update of the Guidelines? Discussions with Respondents : GSA may seek to engage in follow-up discussions with any or all of the respondents. GSA will arrange with the respondents for the time, date, and location of the discussions. The submission of a response to this RFI does not guarantee the opportunity to participate in any such discussions. How to Submit Responses: This RFI will remain open until September 15, 2015, 11:00 AM EST. Questions about this RFI should be directed to npcsupport@cdc.gov, by September 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM (EST). E-mails should have the subject line “Questions – Federal Food Service Guidelines." Respondents are requested to provide the following information in the introduction to their response to this RFI: Company/institution name Company/institution representative Type of business or institution Address, phone number, and e-mail address for company/institution representative Brief description of the operations and mission of business or institution. All responses to this RFI must be delivered electronically in Microsoft Word (.doc) format as an attachment to an e-mail sent to the following e-mail address: npcsupport@cdc.gov. E-mails should have the subject line “Response – Federal Food Service Guidelines.” Statement of Limitations: GSA represents that this RFI, submissions from respondents to this RFI and any relationship between GSA and respondents arising from or connected or related to this RFI are subject to the specific limitations and representations expressed below, as well as the terms and conditions contained elsewhere in this RFI. By submitting a response to the RFI and without the need for any further documentation, the respondents acknowledge and agree to GSA’s and HHS’ rights and all other terms and conditions as set forth in this RFI, including the Statement of Limitations. GSA and HHS reserve the right, in their sole discretion, without liability, to use any or all of the RFI responses in their planning efforts and to develop and implement the Guidelines outside of the RFI process. GSA and HHS reserve the right to retain all the materials and information, and the ideas and suggestions therein, submitted in response to this RFI. All such material, information, ideas, and suggestions will become the property of the Federal Government. This RFI does not create an obligation on the part of GSA, HHS or any other entity to enter into any agreement or implement any of the actions contemplated herein, nor does it serve as the basis for any claim whatsoever for reimbursement of any costs associated with the preparation of responses submitted to this RFI. The submission of an RFI response is not required to participate in any potential future Guidelines development or implementation process, nor does submission of a response preclude respondents from participating in any future Guidelines development or implementation process. To the best of GSA’s knowledge, the information provided herein is accurate. However, GSA and HHS make no representations or warranties whatsoever with respect to this RFI or the Guidelines, including representations and warranties as to the accuracy of any information or assumptions contained in this RFI or otherwise furnished to respondents by GSA, HHS or any other entity, or the suitability of the Guidelines for any specific uses or development. Respondents should undertake appropriate investigation and due diligence in preparation of submitting a response. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by GSA to form a binding contract. GSA may request clarifying discussions with any or all of the respondents on an individual or group basis. Submission of a response does not guarantee the opportunity to participate in the discussions. GSA will not pay any claims for broker or finder fees or any other costs associated with submitting a response. Respondents submitting business information pursuant to this RFI should consult 41 C.F.R. part 105-60 and other implementing regulations concerning the release of such information to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552. All information submitted by respondents that they consider confidential and not releasable to third parties outside of GSA and HHS, and GSA’s and HHS’s employees, agents, consultants, and representatives, must be clearly and conspicuously so marked. FAR Provision 52.215-3 is hereby incorporated in full text: 52-215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (OCT 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal cost, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offer” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information and feedback from parties interested in federal food service operations.
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