DeCA seeks new deli and bakery contractor Published March 2, 2015 By Nancy O'Nell DeCA Public Affairs FORT LEE, VA. -- Deli and bakery services at 22 commissaries in eight states could be temporarily suspended on March 1 while the Defense Commissary Agency seeks a new contractor. Sixteen of the 22 commissaries have sushi bars that would also be temporarily suspended. DeCA is looking at both long-term and interim solutions to offer the valued deli and bakery services. Using an expedited contracting process, DeCA expects to have a new contract in place by mid-May. And as an interim solution, to avoid disruption of services, the Agency is pursuing the use of temporary employees to ensure delivery of limited services until a new contractor can be brought on board. "Our goal is to offer our customers high-quality products and services in every aisle of the commissary," said Defense Commissary Agency Director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu. "The difficult decision to not renew the contract option year with one of our current deli and bakery contractors was made in the best interest of our customers." If a break in deli and bakery services does occur, customers can purchase cold cuts, potato and macaroni salad, fruit and vegetable trays and similar items in their commissary grocery and produce aisles. Store management has increased product quantities and will bring in new items to help fill in any short-term void. "We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers," Jeu said. "We're working to return our deli and bakery operations in these impacted stores to normal as quickly as possible. Commissaries Impacted * Locations with sushi bars that would also be suspended. Colorado: Buckley Air Force Base*, Fort Carson*, Peterson Air Force Base*, US Air Force Academy* Kansas: McConnell Air Force Base*, Fort Leavenworth*, Fort Riley* Nebraska: Offutt Air Force Base* New Mexico: Cannon Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base*, Kirtland Air Force Base*, White Sands Missile Range Oklahoma: Altus Air Force Base, Fort Sill*, Tinker Air Force Base*. Vance Air Force Base North Dakota: Grand Forks Air Force Base, Minot Air Force Base South Dakota: Ellsworth Air Force Base* Texas: Fort Bliss*, Sheppard Air Force Base* Wyoming: FE Warren Air Force Base About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit and make no profit on the sale of merchandise. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. By shopping regularly in the commissary, patrons save an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to commercial prices - savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country. Stay Connected to Your Commissary Benefit COMMISSARIES.COM: Visit www.commissaries.com to learn more about the Defense Commissary Agency: check out the latest news, find a store near you, see what's on sale, create a shopping list, learn of food and product recalls, scan employment opportunities, read frequently asked questions, submit a customer comment form online through DeCA's Your Action Line and more. COMMISSARY CONNECTION: Stay connected with the latest news about your most valued benefit, Hot Links to additional savings, shopping sprees, contests, commissary promotions, events and more, go to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm and subscribe to the Commissary Connection newsletter. FACEBOOK: Visit www.facebook.com/YourCommissary, DeCA's Facebook page, where you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. YOUTUBE: To see DeCA's latest videos, visit www.youtube.com/DefenseCommissary. TWITTER: To see DeCA's latest "tweets," visit www.twitter.com/YourCommissary. PINTEREST: To see DeCA's theme-based image collections, visit http://www.pinterest.com/YourCommissary. FLICKR: To see DeCA's latest photographs, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/.