Thanksgiving Meal Catering Services – DLA Susquehanna
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY · Response deadline: Fri, 23 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at Susquehanna is soliciting bids for Thanksgiving meal catering services. This is a food service contract where a contractor would provide prepared meal solutions for a government customer at the DLA Susquehanna distribution center near New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Catering service contracts at military installations typically involve menu planning, food preparation, delivery and setup, and sometimes service staff depending on the event scale.
The NAICS code 722320 covers caterers—establishments primarily engaged in providing single-event-based food services. These firms generally have equipment and vehicles to transport meals and snacks to events and/or prepare food at an off-premise site. Government catering contracts often specify head counts, dietary accommodations, service styles, and food safety requirements in the full solicitation.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | NAFUA1-26-Q-0016 |
| NAICS | 722320 (Caterers) |
| Set-aside | No Set aside used |
| Response deadline | October 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT |
| Place of performance | New Cumberland, PA |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no small business set-aside, meaning businesses of any size may submit offers. Large catering companies, regional food service contractors, and small businesses compete on equal terms. However, vendors must still meet any DLA registration and qualification requirements.
To bid, you must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active registration. Given the nature of DLA work, contractors may need to meet defense-contractor-specific requirements such as facility security clearances for personnel accessing the installation, compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses, and adherence to food safety standards. See the solicitation for specific eligibility criteria.
How to put together a competitive bid
For catering contracts at military installations, pricing strategy and operational capability weigh heavily. Consider these elements:
Price structure: Government catering solicitations typically request pricing by per-person meal cost, with potential add-ons for service staff, linens, and equipment. Review whether the solicitation asks for firm-fixed pricing or allows cost components for variable head counts. See the solicitation for the exact pricing format required.
Food safety and certifications: Military food service contracts generally require Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliance, ServSafe certification for handlers, and possibly third-party food safety audits. Document your certifications and quality control procedures.
Past performance: Prepare references from comparable events—ideally large-scale holiday meals or government catering. DLA evaluators look for demonstrated experience with similar volume, logistics, and customer profiles.
Logistics plan: Detail your delivery timeline for the Thanksgiving holiday, backup staffing plans, and contingency preparations. Proximity to New Cumberland, PA affects competitiveness due to freshness and transport costs.
Dietary accommodation capability: Federal catering increasingly requires vegetarian, vegan, allergen-free, and religious dietary options. State your capacity to comply without disrupting menu coherence or service flow.
Next steps
Download and review the full solicitation NAFUA1-26-Q-0016 on SAM.gov to understand detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions. Note the firm response deadline of October 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT—late submissions are inadmissible in federal procurement. Begin SAM registration verification immediately if not already current.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →