GSA Forages for Food Advice

Imagine fresh produce, seasonal fruits and a wide selection of ethnic food to choose from during your lunch hour. The best part? You don’t even have to leave your building.

It’s not yet reality for most government agencies, but it could be in the future. The General Services Administration is seeking information from vendors on redesigning cafeterias and offering healthier fare in federal buildings.

The agency is soliciting feedback assessing GSA-managed food facilities and recommendations on a branding strategy for federal food service, in part because profits are down in GSA food facilities. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for GSA cafeteria services contract locations to compete successfully in the marketplace due to flexible work schedules, downsizing of the federal workforce [and] increased building security, which limits outside patrons and restricted operating hours,” GSA said in its request for information.

GSA manages roughly 99 commercial cafeteria contracts and more than 300 concessions facilities. The type of food service ranges from cafeterias and food courts to snack bars and vending machines. In particular, GSA is looking for ideas on improving operations, profitability, redesigning facility space, crafting a marketing campaign and revamping menus with an eye toward nutrition.

Contractors interested in providing feedback have until July 15 to do so.

(Image via senkaya/Shutterstock.com)