5.6. Extension of nutrition services contract 5.6.1 In February 2012 the National Commissioner informed the Committee that the contract outsourcing nutrition services across the six regions had had to be extended until 31 January 2013. The extension was necessitated by the fact that the affected correctional centres were not yet capable yet of preparing meals for inmates owing to major maintenance work that needed to be performed on their kitchens. The Committee was assured that the extension was contractually and procedurally sound, and that as from 1 February 2013 nutrition services across all centres would be provided by the DCS. The National Commissioner assured the Committee that the then Chief Deputy Commissioner: Development and Care would provide quarterly updates on progress made in the refurbishment of the kitchens. In early October 2012 the Committee was requested to postpone all interactions on the nutrition services contract pending the outcome of a feasibility study aimed at ascertaining whether the DCS providing nutrition services itself was indeed the most feasible route to take. The matter should be thoroughly interrogated and discussed with the Committee before the current contract expires.