This solicitation seeks offers for subsistence Prime Vendor support to military and other federally funded customers located throughout the countries of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria (“region”).  U.S. activities within Iraq and Syria have been deemed “contingency operations” as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) 2.101.  This designation, though accurate as of the time of the solicitation’s issuance, is subject to change depending upon numerous factors affecting the region.  As an offeror, each firm must be aware of the overall fluidity of the political, legal, economic, security, and military climate of the region and incorporate that into its proposal accordingly.  Offerors are also advised to consult with the U.S. Department of State and other appropriate resources for the latest information on the political and security conditions inside Iraq and Syria. The Defense Logistics Agency-Troop Support (“DLA-Troop Support”) intends to enter into a Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (“IDIQ”) Contract, with Economic Price Adjustment (“EPA”) with a full line food distributor who will act as a Prime Vendor responsible for the supply and delivery of semi-perishable and perishable food items as well as non-food Food Service Operating Supply (“FSOS”) items.  The Prime Vendor must be capable of supplying all chilled products, semi-perishable food products, frozen fish, meat and poultry, other frozen foods (i.e. fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, etc.), dairy and ice cream products, fresh and frozen bakery products, beverage base and juices (for dispensers), beverages and juices (non-dispenser), fresh fruits and vegetables, non-food items, and Government Furnished Material (“GFM”), including but not limited to Unitized Group Rations (“UGRs”), Meals Ready to Eat (“MREs”), Health and Comfort packs (“HCPs”), and other operational rations items either currently in existence or to be introduced during the term of this contract. The Prime Vendor will be required to support all authorized DLA customers located in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria (i.e. military shore and/or ship facilities, mobile kitchen tents (“MKTs”), ration break points, trailer-transfer points, and military training exercise locations, etc.).  As previously stated, these customers include military or other federally funded customers.  Though the solicitation describes existing customers known to the Contracting Officer at the time of the solicitation’s issuance, other customers, including military, Department of Defense (“DoD”), or non-DOD, may be added as necessary during the life of any resultant contract.  The addition of said customers located within the solicitation’s specified region will be at no additional cost to the Government.  The Government intends to make one award.  The contract shall be for a term of 60 months, with three separate pricing tiers.  The first tier shall be for a 24-month period (inclusive of an up to 6-month ramp-up period followed by, at least, an 18-month performance period depending on the length of ramp-up).  The second tier shall be an 18-month performance period immediately following the first tier.  The third and final tier will be an additional 18-month performance period directly following the second tier. The price for all aspects of performance detailed in the Statement of Work (“SOW”) below must be included in the offeror’s fixed Distribution Price(s).  Offerors are reminded that fixed price type contracts place the maximum risk and responsibility for all costs, and resulting profit or loss, on the contractor.  Distribution Price(s) will remain fixed for the life of the contract and an offeror’s failure to consider the full cost of performance and/or the risks of performing in this region will not serve as a basis to adjust Distribution Price(s).  As detailed below, Product Price(s) are distinct from the aforementioned Distribution Price(s) and therefore should not be included in any way in the latter.