Purpose: This announcement is to advise the business community of the United States Department of State's intention to solicit replacement services that are currently being provided by KBR under the LOGCAP Program and services provided by DLA.

The following is a brief background and the notional milestones the Department has developed for planning purposes. As additional information becomes available it will be posted on the website for Federal Business Opportunities at www.fbo.gov, under the heading "Baghdad Life Support Services (BLISS)".

Please be aware that in order to protect the integrity of the procurement process all questions regarding the solicitation should be submitted in writing and responses will be posted on this site.

Because the dates are tentative we will not be accepting reservations or notices of intent to attend Industry Day until a firm date and location have been established.

Background: The mission of the United States Embassy in Baghdad is to represent the United States of America to the Government of Iraq (GOI). The U.S. Ambassador (Chief of Mission (COM)) is the President's representation to the GOI. The Embassy is located in the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad. The compound consists of 104 acres and is the largest U.S. Embassy in the world. The Embassy requires life, logistics, operations and maintenance services to support the Embassy, other locations within Baghdad and five or more diplomatic posts and facilities currently located in the provinces of Basrah, Diyala, Erbil, Ninewa and Tamim. This list may be modified during the life of this contract.

Scope and Objectives: The selected prime contractor will be required to provide life support services to persons and organizations that are determined to be performing missions or functions in support of the COM, including: COM personnel, selected civilian agencies, supporting military units, and authorized contractors who directly support the COM.

The major components of this contract are:

1. Food Service Operations, including all aspects of: menu design; forecasting of requirements; ordering of food from local, regional and world-wide providers; Dry and Cold Storage Operations; Ice production; Bulk Water.
2. Fire fighting operations to include crash and rescue at heliports.
3. Maintenance of chemical latrines and handwashing stations.
4. Medical waste handling and disposal, to include incinerator operations
5. Medical laundry services
6. Recreation Services
7. Postal and Delivery Services
8. Badging and Vehicle Placards
9. Bulk fuel operations, including inventory control/oversight from local sources, ordering, receipt management and project management .

Optional services that may be added include:

1. Chauffer/Driver Transportation Support
2. Shuttle Bus services
3. Office Supply Warehouse & Container Management Support.
This list may be modified.

Tentative Solicitation Schedule: The following are the notional milestones for the solicitation and award of this requirement.

Event                                            Scheduled Date
Release DRAFT RFP/RFI                  October 12, 2012
Industry Day (Washington DC)         October 16, 2012
Response from Industry                  October 29, 2012
Update RFP                                    November 05, 2012
Release RFP                                  December 03, 2012
Site Survey (Iraq)                           December 9-15, 2012
Final Receipt of Questions               January 02, 2013
Receipt of Proposals                       February 18, 2013
Contract Award                               April 19, 2013