• WASHINGTON 

Federal contracting documents reveal that the National Guard is soliciting for a vendor to feed troops that are based here in the nation’s capital until the end of January. 

In August, President Trump deployed 800 National Guard members to crack down on DC crime, the first in what could be a similar, controversial rollout of such troops to other major cities.  

THE SOLICITATION 

The documents were posted on the SAM.gov website (https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a87c120d5cc94a998085224c8e95405e/view) for federal government contracting, soliciting bids for products across the military, including those related to troop feeding.  

The U.S. Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO), National Guard Bureau (NGB), District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG), Washington, D.C., is conducting market research to identify contractors capable of providing catered meals/boxed meals for DCNG units during law enforcement missions throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding areas, keeping troops in Washington into the new year.  

This is a non-personnel services contract to provide catered meals and/or boxed meals — the vendor would supply “high-quality, nutritious meals” — to support DCNG units during this deployment.  

It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure all requested requirements are met or exceeded. 

This includes planning “for increased attendance expected at Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as other federal holidays with additional service hours if necessary,” according to the performance of work statement. 

This is a market survey and notification of intent only; a solicitation may be issued at a future date.  

The purpose is to identify qualified businesses, particularly small businesses, capable of performing firm fixed-price contracts, and the solicitation type will depend on the responses that are received.  

Those wishing to submit for the solicitation were required to do so by Sept. 12, and the contacts were Contracting Officer Elizabeth Henderson and Contract Specialist Maj. Jeremy Wagner. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The small business contractor would be tasked with a variety of duties, including meal planning; food preparation; delivery; setting up; service; and cleaning up at multiple guard locations. 

These locations include the Armory and at JB Anacostia-Bolling, and throughout the capital region until Jan. 31, 2026, according to the documents. 

According to the document, the contractor would have to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to the troops. 

Breakfast: “A full American breakfast” with an entree, coffee, tea, juice, toast, and a side of fruit. 

Lunch: a hot lunch with an entree choice, side dish, and beverage. 

Dinner: includes a protein, starch, vegetable, bread and beverage, and this meal must adhere to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dietary guidelines. 

In addition, the vendor would need to have the ability to offer these meals crossing over a range of dietary needs, including vegan; vegetarian; halal; kosher; and gluten-free.  

The contractor would also have to address food allergies in its food offerings, such as those related to shellfish and peanuts.