Commissary seeks new deli and bakery contractor at Grand Forks, other locations Published March 3, 2015 By Nancy O'Nell DeCA public affairs specialist 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. "DeCA is currently working on alternate solutions to once again provide deli and bakery services at the Grand Forks Commissary," said Lori Looney, Grand Forks Commissary store director. "A contract solicitation has been made to current contractors from other regions and we expect that to be in place by May 15." 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.