Sonically compressed calorically dense prototype ration components

54--Research and Development Solicitation Number: 0010912347 Agency: Department of the Army Office: Army Contracting Command Location: ACC-APG-Natick Contracting Division Notice Type: Special Notice Posted Date: 09 March 2017 Archive Date: 09 March 2018 Classification Code: 54-- Research and Development NAICS Code: 541712--Research and Development Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences The US Army Contracting Command APG, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Combat Feeding Directorate, intends to award a firm fixed price contract under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) only one responsible source to Creative Resonance, Inc. 10326, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262-8908 sonically compressed calorically dense prototype ration components. The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Combat Feeding Directorate, intends to award a firm fixed price contract to Creative Resonance, Inc. because Creative Resonance, Inc. is the only facility that possesses the equipment and expertise required for this process. Creative Resonance, Inc. also undertook extensive development work to be able to successfully produce the lipid-rich sonically compressed ration components and therefore has a unique knowledge base. Requirements: The Contractor shall, within the year's performance period, provide up to 1000 sonically compressed food bars (2 x 1.5 inch or larger ovals or rectangles). General Requirements: The contractor's primary focus shall be to provide sonically compressed food bars that fulfill the following requirements: (1)The bars will include the following flavors and compositions: coconut or coconut-fruit; Italian/cheese/bruschetta; chili con carne (i.e., spiced meat, bean, and vegetable); and mocha/coffee. ( (2)The bars will be physically densified through the assistance of sonic energy injection during compression. Physical density must be at least 0.8 g/cc. (3)The bars will contain sufficient lipid content to achieve a caloric density of at least 5.0 Kcal/g. (4)The bars will have a protein content of at least 10% of caloric total. (5)The bars will be low-water activity (<0.30) and shelf stable for 6 months at 100F. (6)The bars will be cohesive so as to withstand handling and packaging, but will have a sufficiently yielding texture to ensure sensory acceptance. (7)Selected bars may include incorporation of performance-optimizing ingredients that are either identified by NSRDEC or suggested by the contractor. Specific Requirements: The contractor shall: (1)Deliver samples within eight weeks of request. Deliveries will be spaced within the year, with no more than 250 samples required within a 3-month period. (2)Provide samples sealed within retort pouches. (3)Produce samples according to Good Manufacturing Practices (i.e., product shall be free from foreign objects and microbial contamination). This is not a Request for Quotes. No solicitation package is available. Any responses to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination by the Government to compete or not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712. Inquiries and responses may be sent to John Shawki, Contract Specialist, via email at issa.j.shawki.ctr@mail.mil no later than 24 March 2017 @ 12:00 pm eastern time. Contracting Office Address: ACC-APG- Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760-5011