FORT LEE, Va. - Members of the grocer industry and other interested parties now have until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 5 to respond to the Defense Commissary Agency's (DeCA) Commissary Privatization Request for Information (RFI), agency and Pentagon officials announced today.

The response extension will allow respondents more time to complete their submission questionnaire and review RFI relevant information about DeCA operations to assist responders, that will be made available in the DeCA FOIA Reading Room no later than Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 14.

DeCA issued the RFI Sept. 19 on behalf of the Department of War (DoW) in accordance with the Deputy Secretary of War memorandum of April 7, 2025. The initial response deadline was midnight Oct. 21.

The RFI seeks industry input on the potential privatization of 178 commissary locations across the contiguous United States (CONUS), Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

The purpose of this RFI is to determine whether commercial grocery operators and investment firms are both interested in and capable of assuming commissary operations, with no government subsidy or with a materially reduced subsidy, while preserving the critical military benefit of a 23.7% average savings for authorized patrons.

Purpose Reminder and Disclaimer:

The purpose of this RFI is strictly market research only and is only intended to determine industry interest and capability to operate Defense Commissary Agency commissaries on military installations across the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Information received will be used for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by the government.

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.