THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED  SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 311991 (size standard of 700 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing Freshly prepared Sandwiches in accordance with Statement of Work stated below. STATEMENT OF WORK: SCOPE OF WORK The contractor shall delivery fresh food products to the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) address listed below. Orders shall be placed on an as needed basis, in accordance with delivery schedules listed in the Statement of Work (SOW), by the Point of Contact (POC). Orders shall be placed by telephone, in writing, in writing via fax, e-mail, via online ordering system, or given to Contractor personnel as mutually agreed upon between the facility POC and Contractor. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The awarded contract will be for a base year (12-month) purchase order with a period of performance of 2/1/2025 to 1/31/2026. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE VA San Diego Healthcare System Nutrition and Food Services; Bldg 1, Main Kitchen, Room 125B, delivered through loading dock 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/SUPPLIES ORDERS The contractor shall purchase and provide all food supplies (listed in the schedule of materials) and deliver to the VASDHS. SPECIFICATIONS The Contractor shall provide the following, but not limited to: All ready-to-eat food shall be packed in food grade containers/package, in a temperature-controlled atmosphere, refrigerated and placed in a sealed container. No preservatives shall be added. Ready to eat food shall comply with the following product definitions: Triangle Sandwich: 2 slices of bread, filling as indicated, no condiments, cut crosswise and packed in sealed food grade containers. Premium Sandwich is a sandwich other than a triangle sandwich. It may be on special types of bread (such as rolls or ciabatta), a wrap, or a pita. Packed in sealed food grade containers/package Soft triangle sandwiches will not contain raw vegetables larger than ¼ inch in size, including lettuce, tomato, celery, or onion. Other triangle sandwiches may contain lettuce and tomato. Triangle sandwiches there must at least 2 soft varieties available on white bread. See Specific Requirements section for varieties of sandwiches required. Unopened food items must be guaranteed to remain in a fresh condition for at least five (5) days after delivery. All ready-to-eat food items are to be date labeled with a five (5) day expiration date. Sandwich bread must not be wet or soggy for at least 5 days after delivery. Produce in the sandwich must be in fresh, crisp condition for at least 5 days after delivery. All products shall be prepared and packaged under modern sanitary conditions in accordance with commercial practices and shall be adequately packed to prevent damage during shipping and handling and storage. Contents of a specific sandwich variety should remain constant throughout the contract period. It is not acceptable to change the type of meat, vegetables, or other sandwich fillings in a specific sandwich variety without approval from the purchasing party. REGULATORY STANDARDS The contractor is responsible for maintaining all health codes and standards of sanitation and safety in the storage, handling, preparation, transportation and delivery of food as enacted by the United States Food and Drug Administration and state or local regulations. The contractor at his/her own expense shall maintain all federal, state, and local licenses and permits required for the operation of food services and products provided herein. The contractor shall provide its staff with on-going training in food handling and preparation, sanitation and safety procedu