SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) in identifying industrial sources and capabilities to fabricate, fill and process (via commercial sterilization) a Group Serving Pouch (GSP), which will be included in the U.S. military’s Group Ration Platform. 

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to Jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil and Danielle.l.froio-blumsack.civ@army.mil by February 21, 2025 5 PM EST.

Description: DEVCOM-SC is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) on industrial sources and relevant capabilities pertaining to pouch fabrication, filling and processing of vegetable-based food components for use in Group Rations. 

Specific Specifications:  
    •    Capability to fabricate (or procure) GSPs, fill with vegetable and brine mixture, and commercially sterilize.
    •    Volumetric size of the GSP shall be between 24 to 144 ounces. 
    •    Targeted shelf life of the pouch is 3 years at 80F
    •    Residual gas volume in the filled and sealed GSP shall not exceed 250 cc. 
    •    The material used for the pouch shall be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use with food in accordance with 21 CFR, Parts 170-199 or other standards and regulations.
    •    The closure seal width shall be a minimum 1/8 inch for conventional heat seals or a minimum 1.0 mm for ultrasonic seals.
    •    The pouches shall be filled and hermetically sealed such that after thermal processing, the pouches shall withstand an internal pressure of 10 psig for 30 seconds, while the pouch is held between plates with a 2-inch distance between them.
    •    Pouches must pass a distribution testing sequence, which consists of drop and vibration testing

Deliverables: 
All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files.

1.    Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt.  Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover. 

    a.    This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address).
    b.    The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who.   Example focus areas:
        i.    Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that currently meet or will be able to meet the enclosed requirements
        ii.    Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that may be able to meet or exceed the requirements. 
        iii.    As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government.
    c.    Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution.
    d.    For Foreign companies:  Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e, US subsidiary or partner) if required
    e.    Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, test data, etc.  

2.    Test, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation:
Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating safety certification, government approval, test data, etc.  

3.    Cost.

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at t