# ARMY DINING EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE (DINEX)

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/w5168w26ra017

- Solicitation number: W5168W26RA017
- Notice type: Solicitation (first published as presolicitation)
- Status: Closed. Deadline was February 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST
- Department: Department of the Army
- Agency: Department of the Army
- Contracting office: W6QM Micc-Fdo FT Sam Houston (W5168W)
- NAICS: 722310 Food Service Contractors
- Product or service code: M1FD Operation Of Dining Facilities
- First posted: December 11, 2025
- Last posted: January 22, 2026
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/67c46f2286bf4abbb03149eb000690ea/view

## Description

1. Introduction and Project Context The Army’s Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), Installation Readiness Center (IRC), in coordination with the Army Sustainment Command (ASC), is launching the Dining Excellence Initiative (DINEX), a focused effort to overhaul and modernize food service operations specifically within its Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) garrisons. The goal of the DINEX initiative is to seek innovative, flexible solutions that deliver superior outcomes compared to the existing food service model, ensuring optimal nutrition and sustainment for the next generation of Soldiers.

2. Acquisition Authority and Method This announcement serves as a Solicitation Notice regarding the Army's intent to issue a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for the DINEX initiative.

**Authority:** This CSO will be issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022. The Award resulting from this CSO will be executed as an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for prototype projects.

**Acquisition Streamlining:** As an OTA under 10 U.S.C. 4022, this effort is not subject to the Competition in Contracting Act, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), or the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). This flexible process is critical for quickly identifying and fielding cutting-edge commercial solutions and maximizing collaboration with both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors.

3. Area of Interest (AoI) The Army seeks innovative solutions and new capabilities for a single Area of Interest (AoI): Enhanced Food Service Operations for T2COM Garrisons (Scope provided as Attachment 1 to this posting). Solutions may involve the introduction of new technologies or procedures not currently used by the Army, modifications to existing practices, or entirely new operational models that deliver significant financial or operational benefits in a high-throughput, structured training environment.

4. Anticipated Award and Prototype The IRC anticipates awarding a fixed-price agreement for a single prototype project, based on the three-phase evaluation process described in the CSO. The Agreements Officer will negotiate terms and conditions, including milestone payments, directly with the selected participant.

**Prototype Test Locations:** Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Rucker, Alabama. 4. Submission Instructions Solution Briefs must be submitted via email to the points of contact listed below with the subject line: "DINEX CSO Solution Brief - [Company Name]".

5. Point of Contact For all inquiries regarding this announcement and the CSO, please contact:

**Name:**

**Michael Schneider Title:**

**Contracting Specialist Email:** michael.d.schneider55.civ@army.mil Name:

**Jeffery Harris Title:**

**Contracting Officer Email:** jeffery.d.harris.civ@army.mil

## Publications

- December 11, 2025: Presolicitation, due January 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST. Notice 6dc23e759ca24c5e98d68422737620e8. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/6dc23e759ca24c5e98d68422737620e8/view
- December 11, 2025: Presolicitation, due January 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST. Notice b4e187192393417e8c610cbdfdb99d98. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/b4e187192393417e8c610cbdfdb99d98/view
- January 22, 2026: Solicitation, due February 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST. Notice 67c46f2286bf4abbb03149eb000690ea. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/67c46f2286bf4abbb03149eb000690ea/view

## Points of contact

- Michael D. Schneider, michael.d.schneider55.civ@army.mil, (520) 944-7206
- Jeffery Harris, jeffery.d.harris.civ@army.mil, 210-466-2242

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/w5168w26ra017.