How to bid on Foreign Affairs Security Training Center Staffing and Cafeteria Operations for the Department of State

What the Department of State is buying

The Department of State is seeking a contractor to provide staffing and cafeteria operations for the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia. This includes providing professional personnel for various labor categories, which will be detailed in the upcoming solicitation.

The cafeteria operations require a foodservice contractor to offer a diverse dining program. This program must include a wide variety of food options, such as vegetarian, vegan, organic, healthy, and light eater choices. Menus must also cater to dietary restrictions, offering low-fat, low-sodium, low-calorie, reduced-sugar, and gluten-free items. The contractor will also need to provide means for preordering meals and accommodate specific medical, cultural, or religious dietary needs as required.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI) with a deadline of September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. This RFI is to inform interested parties about the requirement, which has been delayed due to organizational reorganization and modifications to the scope of work.

The full solicitation is anticipated to be released in December 2026. The deadline for this RFI is for firms to express their interest. There will be no phone calls accepted regarding this opportunity.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional services firms with experience in facility staffing and large-scale cafeteria or dining service operations. The successful contractor will need to manage a comprehensive food service program that caters to diverse dietary needs and preferences.

A critical requirement for this opportunity is that all interested offerors must possess a Secret-level facility clearance. Firms that do not have this clearance will not be considered for award. Additionally, offerors must have an active registration on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

How to respond to this RFI

To respond to this Request for Information, you need to provide notice of your interest. This should include your representative's name, your firm's name, and your address. This information must be emailed to Patrick Jones at [email protected].

To view the original source of this opportunity on the portal, click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always necessary.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your firm has the required Secret-level facility clearance well in advance, as this is a mandatory prerequisite. Also, verify that your SAM.gov registration is active and up-to-date, as this is essential for any federal contract.

When the full solicitation is released, carefully review the detailed scope of work, especially regarding the specific labor categories for staffing and the comprehensive requirements for cafeteria operations. Highlight your firm's experience in providing varied and specialized dietary options, as this is a key focus for the Department of State.

Prepare to demonstrate your firm's ability to manage complex logistics, including preordering systems and accommodating specific medical, cultural, or religious dietary needs. Emphasize any innovative approaches to dining and sustainability your firm can offer.