Integrated Demonstrational Biosynthetic Process to Produce Nutrition at the Point-of-Need (PON)

U.S. Army Contracting Division, Natick Contracting Division, Request for Pre-Proposal (RFPP) also known as a - Concept Paper. Area of Interest: Soldier Sustainment Directorate, Combat Feeding Division. Development of Integrated Scalable Technology for Production at the PON for Nutritionally Tailored Rations in military operating environments. Objective: The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, invites preproposals under BOTAA 22-01 per 10 U.S.C. 4022 to develop automated biomanufacturing technology for nutritionally tailored rations at the PON in operational environments. This RFPP follows the Sources Sought announcement (W911QY-24-BIOMFG) on Sam.gov and outlines guidelines from the DEVCOM SC BOTAA 22-01. Submissions are non-binding, and the Government will not cover submission cost. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC), located in Natick, Massachusetts, is seeking proposals on the capabilities and willingness of non-traditional defense contractors, or contractors meeting one of the exceptions to a non-traditional defense contractor as identified in the aforementioned BOTAA. The intent of this project is to design, fabricate and assemble an automated prototype for the biosynthetic production of foodstuffs at the PON in military operating environments with minimum resources. BACKGROUND: The Government (DEVCOM Soldier Center) is seeking a biotechnology integrator to design, fabricate and integrate PON food biomanufacturing technology scaled for mobile application and targeted for use in contested military operating environments where resources, manpower and space are limited. An industry day is planned to be hosted on MS Teams and a meeting invitation will be sent to respondents requesting to participate, dates to be published in the subject announcement on sam.gov. PROJECT OVERVIEW: The effort will be initiated with incremental funding to support the design and review of the proposed base fermentation process. The design shall be configured to rapidly produce nutritional biomass. It is desired that the proposed process be configured to support future integration and process optimization to ultimately produce high quality protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber and other vitamins and minerals that provide complete nutrition. It is further desired that the proposed design fosters technology advancement process optimization to achieve the threshold/objective parameters outlined in the biosynthetic nutrition performance metrics chart. Following approval and availability of funds, the base process will be fabricated and integrated within a target demonstrational platform. While the offeror is encouraged to propose a suitable platform upon which the process will be configured, a military asset/platform may be provided by the government to support the effort. Incremental advancement of the biosynthetic process efficiency and process automation is also desired. The scope of the effort will be focused on development of a modular, mobile demonstrational capability to produce nutritional products (e.g. shake, pudding, bar and/or jerky) at the PON. The project will initiate with review and approval of a base design for a modular, scalable fermentation process that provides accelerated production of a nutritional biomass product and allows for follow-on development and technology insertion of pre- and post-processing capabilities. The ultimate goal of this biosynthetic process is to efficiently utilize in-place resources (air, water, minerals) for microbial fermentation, prioritizing Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) bacteria, yeast, or microalgae. The system will emphasize food safety, flexibility, and automation of nutritional biomass production in military operating environments with limited supplies. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: 1. Pre-processing Technologies: Integrate feedstocks from ubiquitous resources (e.g., carbon and nitrogen compounds from gaseous effluents to include fuel-fired generator effluent, water and other in-place resources) for microbial metabolism. Supplemental processes (e.g., yeast lysate production) could enhance cell mass and product formation. Inputs must be safe, non-flammable, and meet drinking water standards. 2. Integrated Biosynthetic Process: Design an automated, modular bioprocessing system for military nutrition production. While a developmental/commercial platform may be proposed, a modular, scalable platform capable of leveraging existing platforms (e.g., JLTV Trailer-mounted shelter/container, TRICON or other suitable platform) is preferred and must have a footprint sufficient to include - fermentors for microbial cultures, pre-processed feedstocks, and external inputs. Future integration of advanced pre- and post-processing technologies is required. Process integration on a mobile military or commercial-equivalent platform represents the desired threshold capability, while optimized integration of a modular process capable of alternate/selectable process outputs, scaled for integration on an expandable military platform is desired. The fermentation bioprocess must yield a microbial biomass product that can be further developed through follow-on optimization and ultimately validated to meet food safety, acceptability and military nutrition standards (Army Regulation AR40-25) and could be further processed with post-processing technologies into a ready-to-eat shake, pudding, bar or jerky product. 3. Process Automation and Safety Control: As the technology is advanced, it is desired that standardized Programmable Intelligent Computer (PIC) or equivalent non-proprietary programmable logic controller be utilized to regulate bioprocess control with appropriate process feedback from process monitoring equipment (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature probes, and mass flow controllers, automated switches/valves and pressure regulators/relief valves). Automation will handle feed adjustments, with manual overrides for troubleshooting. Upon delivery of process equipment, operating and safety procedures, to include SOPs and maintenance procedures required for safe operation, and maintenance shall be included with the equipment. 4. Sub-Assembly, Automation, Integration & Testing: Develop, integrate, and test individual components, like pre-/post-processing systems, optimizing functionality for the entire biomanufacturing process. 5. Food Safety Validation: It is intended that the initial phase of the development and integration of the biosynthetic processes be based on precision fermentation utilizing GRAS microbial culture(s) and minimal media feedstock. As the technology is advanced, it is desired that compliance with food safety/HACCP standards and undesirable microbial/biofilm/fungal/mold activity and pathogen detection techniques be considered. Operational and safety procedures shall be developed to maintain food safety and operator safety with consideration for Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) compliance as the technology is advanced. 6. Streamlined Production: Optimize fermentation processes for biomass production efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility within a modular, scalable biosynthetic process. 7. Prototype Delivery: Deliver a fully functional, biosynthetic processing system ready for testing. 8. Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) Optimization: Design the prototype to meet size, weight, and power (SWaP) limitations. Provide alternatives for unmet requirements. Timeline: Development timeline is contingent on OTA award and funding availability. Notional Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Milestone Schedule (MS) shall be submitted as part of pre-proposal and detailed WBS / MS with the full proposal if requested. The length of the OTA includes a base period of six months and three 12-month option periods. Proposed options may be sequential, or overlap, if the proposed scope is justified and does not pose increased risk to successful completion of the proposed effort. The total period of performance for the proposed effort is not to exceed 42 months. Submission Guidelines Timeline: Base period: 6 months. Options 1'3: 12 months each. Detailed WBS/IMS required in proposals. Format: Preproposals (max 3 pages) should include: Technology description, high-level WBS, and relevant qualifications. Projected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at the beginning of the proposed effort and projected TRL and associated Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) at the end of the proposed effort. Subcontractor / collaborative partners Culture and media description and GRAS status / documentation Research involving Human subject or Animals Progress and data reporting schedule Planned demonstration(s) with projected site(s), including contractor site Cost estimates (Base Period and Options 1'3). Deadline: COB 13 January 2025 Email: peter.g.lavigne.civ@army.mil; lyndon.s.jagroop.civ@army.mil Subject: [Responding Organization and RFPP Title] ** Amendment 1 ** Q: Is the money that will be supporting this OTA is 6.2 or 6.3 funding? A: The funding category supporting this OTA is 6.3 Technical Demonstration. ** Amendment 2 ** The Industry Day event is currently on hold and will be rescheduled at a future date. ** Amendment 3 ** Fair Opportunity Industry Day (FOID) will be held February 13, 2025 at 1300. Additional details for the FOID can be found in the attached notice.