System for Rapid Food Analysis

INTRODUCTION - The US Army Natick Research Engineering and Development Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Massachusetts is issuing this Sources Sought as a means of conducting market research to identify novel sources for technologies that have the ability to provide rapid food analysis using low toxicity, disposable reagents, and removing the need for complex calibration procedures for food quality research and shelf-life testing by the Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD). The specific requirements can be found in the - Required Capabilities' section of this sources sought. It is anticipated that a one year purchase agreement will be established, with the total amount not to exceed $7,000. The results of this market research will be used to determine the method of procurement. Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. DISCLAIMER THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGHATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. PROGRAM BACKGROUND - Technologies for conducting rapid food analysis of ration component and ingredients are needed for the evaluation of the quality and shelf-stability of such food products. Information provided by the novel technology will advance solutions to DoD specific food quality challenges in support of Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Board projects. The delivery location will be the US Army NSRDEC in Natick, Massachusetts, Building 36. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES - The government requires a technology with the capability of measuring free fatty acids, peroxide values, p-Anisidine values, soaps, iodine values, and polyphenols. The sample preparation must be minimal and testing must only use low toxicity, disposable reagents. The system must be capable of measuring the aforementioned values in dairy products, egg products, bakery products, snacks, spreads, fruit and vegetable purees, dried fruit, seeds, nuts, and all types of oils and fats. The system must have the capability to run simultaneous analyses of up to 16 samples and to run several tests on the same sample. The system must have an incubation module, internal memory to store analysis results, printer, touch screen display, USB port, and Ethernet (LAN) port. The system must use photometric technology based on LED emitters at fixed wavelengths to guarantee a high sensitivity, wide measuring range, and excellent repeatability of the test results. Lastly the technology must be rapid and provide results in less than 30 minutes. SUBMISSION DETAILS - Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than one 8.5 x 11 inch page, font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating ability to provide the range of equipment and supplies listed in the Required Capabilities section. Your response to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to Ms. Sarah Cheney, in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email (sarah.l.cheney.civ@mail.mil) no later than 12:00 p.m. (EST) on 5 May 2017 and reference this synopsis number in the subject line of e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL. If your organization has the potential to provide the required services, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, Address, Primary Points of Contact (POCs) email, FAX#, Website Address, Telephone Number, and Type of Ownership for the Organization. 2) Tailored Capability Statements Addressing the Requirements of the notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capabilities, provide an estimate of anticipated subcontractor efforts. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside of the Government.