B--Food Production, Testing, Sterilization

The US Army Contract Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA is seeking information as to whether or not there are small businesses that can support this effort. Based on the information received, a determination will be made as to whether or not the procurement will be issued as a small business set-aside. The purpose of this contract is to produce sloppy joe with meat sauce, and conduct subsequent pouch filling and sterilization trials employing the sloppy joe mixture. These trials will include filling and sealing of high barrier pouches, followed by sterilization of filled pouches via conventional retort, Microwave Assisted Thermal Sterilization (MATS), Pressure Assisted Thermal Sterilization (PATS), and irradiation. The contractor shall be capable of the following: (1) Produce sloppy joe mixture in accordance with PCR-S-013. (2) Fill 1,468 pouches (supplied by NSRDEC) with sloppy joe mixture and seal. (3) Conduct sterilization of pouches with a MATS systems that is USDA validated (4) Determine and implement process parameters and process controls that ensure the food product has been sterilized and is fit for human consumption upon completion of processing. (5) Conduct commercial sterility testing of processed pouches in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073F, quote mark Performance Specification for Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches quote mark , Section 4.3.8 Commercial Sterility Test. (6) Observe and record all processing conditions and variables associated with each processing trial, in enough detail to allow the trial to be repeated at another time on the same equipment. (7) Process and handle pouches in a manner which minimizes damage to the integrity of the pouch. Pack and ship under refrigerated conditions and utilize proper cushioning and protection to ensure that pouches arrive free of damage and failure After reading the above requirements, please provide a capabilities statement (5-page limit) responding to the following questions (include additional supporting documentation as applicable) (1) What demonstrated significant experience do you (your company) have in food production, in regards to military specified recipes/formulas? (2) Does your company have the kettle capacity to produce Sloppy Joe in batches up to 800lbs? Please, provide your maximum kettle capacity. (3) Does the company have the ability to conduct food processing trials within 3-4 days after food is produced. (4) Does your company have the ability to schedule all the food processing trials concurrently over a 3 month time frame, and use only food that is produced in the same production run? (5) Does your company have the ability to fill and seal both a quad-laminate foil-based and polymeric based pouches, utilizing a heat-sealer or ultrasonic sealer? (6) What demonstrated significant experience do you (your company) have of food sterilization, with respect to retort, MATS, PATS, and irradiation processes, and a general background in food quality and packaging? (7) What type of facilities do you have to conform to the above requirement? (8) What level of training do your personnel have in retort, MATS, PATS, and irradiation processing? (9) Is your firm a small business? (10) If this project were set-aside for small business, would you submit a proposal? (11) If this project were set-aside for small business, would you submit a bid proposal if in your range? (12) Is your firm a certified HUBZONE firm? (13) Is your firm a certified 8(a) firm? Please Provide your Company Name, (d/b/a) if applicable, address, telephone, email, person to contact, DUNS number, CAGE code, Company website (if available). Email only responses are requested by 16:00 EST 22 May 2013 and should be forwarded to Ms. Laura Arscott at contact@example.gov. This document will assist the Government in determining if this acquisition will be set aside for small businesses. Failure to answer any above questions may result in a determination of capability for purposes of this survey. This is not a request for proposal. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is __3119911___.