B-136141, JUL. 31, 1958

TO DIMOND AND THORMAN: REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER DATED JULY 8. YOU STATE THAT BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE 450 SEATS HE COULD CONTEMPLATE 1. THAT THIS WAS AN INDICATION TO HIM THAT THE ESTIMATE OF 2. 000 EMPLOYEES WAS A REALISTIC FIGURE. 000 FIGURE WAS UNRELIABLE SINCE THE CONTRACTOR'S ALLEGED COMPUTATION ESTIMATED ONLY 1. 800 PEOPLE AND THAT WAS BASED ON UTILIZING THE REQUIRED ACCOMMODATIONS TO THEIR FULLEST EXTENT. HEMIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED APPROXIMATELY 1. THERE WAS NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY NUMBER OF THEM WOULD MAKE FOOD PURCHASES. THE CONTRACT PROVIDED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BROOKLYN REGIONAL OFFICE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE THE CAFETERIA FOR EATING PURPOSES DURING THE HOURS IT WAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY MADE ANY PURCHASES.