Alternative Protein Technologies for Military Field Feeding
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) has issued a Sources Sought Announcement to identify potential sources for Alternative Protein Technologies for Military Field Feeding. This initiative seeks innovative product development, consumer research, and/or demonstration food samples in the area of alternative proteins to enhance food supply chain resilience, enable biomanufacturing, and provide high-quality nutrition to Warfighters. Responders are requested to submit a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) preproposal by May 15, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT.
Purpose & Background
DEVCOM-SC is exploring how the emerging alternative-protein sector can meet objectives such as enhancing food supply chain resilience, enabling biomanufacturing in combat-forward environments, and providing tailored, high-quality nutrition. The Combat Feeding Division (CFD) seeks to partner with commercial and academic sectors to advance technology development in this area, leveraging its expertise in shelf-stable ration components, food safety, and palatability.
Areas of Interest
DEVCOM-SC is seeking capabilities in one or more of the following areas, explicitly excluding solutions related to cell-cultured, lab-grown meat, or insect protein:
- Innovative Technologies for Alternative Protein Development: Focusing on advanced technologies (e.g., fermentation, precision fermentation) to enhance alternative protein production for lightweight, nutrient-dense ration solutions.
- Innovative Product Development: Creating meat-alternative products specifically for military rations, meeting stringent requirements for nutrition, shelf stability, and palatability.
- Consumer Research and Acceptability: Conducting comprehensive consumer research (e.g., focus groups, sensory panels, field testing) to enhance the acceptability of alternative proteins within a military population.
- Food Sample Demonstration: Providing food samples with Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status to demonstrate manufacturing technology maturation for sensory acceptability and performance characteristics.
Submission Requirements
Interested parties (companies or academic institutions) must submit a BAA preproposal as outlined in DEVCOM-SC BAA W911QY-25-R-0023. Submissions should detail capabilities in one or more areas and include:
- Whether proposing product development, consumer research, and/or prototype demonstration.
- A detailed description of the technical approach.
- Relevant past performance or corporate experience.
- A rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the proposed work or prototypes.
- Business size (socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code.
Note: This is a Sources Sought for information and planning purposes only; it is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Funding is not available at this time. Domestic sourcing is an absolute requirement due to the Berry Amendment.
Key Clarifications from Amendments
- Offerors have discretion on which performance requirements, selection criteria, or strategic objectives (supply chain resilience vs. biomanufacturing) to emphasize in their concept paper.
- Novel ready-to-eat formats are acceptable if they meet shelf-stability and consumption requirements, and components have GRAS status or a clear pathway to it.
- A contractor can submit a pre-proposal even if their registered NAICS code does not match the one specified.
- Quantity, format, and specific targets for food samples are at the offeror's discretion, with minimal samples expected. Nutritional Standards for Operational Rations (NSOR) are required for fielded components, but research efforts may consider those not meeting NSORs.
- A single integrated preproposal is preferred for addressing multiple areas of interest.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Preproposal
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: May 15, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
- Published: May 4, 2026
Contact Information
Submit BAA preproposals to: michael.s.wiederoder.civ@army.mil, richard.j.green.civ@army.mil, and jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil. Questions for clarification must be emailed to the same addresses by May 11, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT.