Alternative Protein Technologies for Military Field Feeding

SOL #: W911QY26_ALTERNATIVE_PROTEINSSources Sought

Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSE

Dept Of The Army

W6QK ACC-APG NATICK

NATICK, MA, 01760-5011, United States

Place of Performance

Natick, MA

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

PSC

General Science & Technology R&D Svcs; General Science & Technology; Experimental Development (AJ13)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/6bdd048042e0426b90a7d0331ac904b4/view

Timeline

Posted

Apr 16, 2026

Last Updated

May 12, 2026

Response Deadline

May 15, 2026, 9:00 PM

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) is conducting a Sources Sought to identify potential sources for Alternative Protein Technologies for Military Field Feeding. This effort seeks innovative product development, consumer research, and/or demonstration food samples to enhance military rations. Responders are requested to submit a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) preproposal. Responses are due by May 15, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT.

Purpose & Objective

DEVCOM-SC aims to explore how the emerging alternative-protein sector can contribute to enhancing food supply chain resilience, enabling biomanufacturing of foodstuffs in combat-forward environments, and providing tailored, high-quality nutrition to the Warfighter. The objective is to partner with commercial and academic sectors to advance technology development in this area.

Areas of Interest

DEVCOM-SC is seeking capabilities in one or more of the following areas, specifically excluding solutions related to cell-cultured, lab-grown meat, or insect protein:

Innovative Technologies for Alternative Protein Development: Focus on advanced technologies (e.g., fermentation, precision fermentation) to enhance alternative protein production for lightweight, nutrient-dense rations.
Innovative Product Development: Creation of meat-alternative products meeting military ration requirements for nutrition, shelf stability, and palatability.
Consumer Research and Acceptability: Ability to conduct comprehensive consumer research (e.g., focus groups, sensory panels, field testing) to improve alternative protein acceptance within a military population.
Food Sample Demonstration: Capability to provide prototypes with Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for government sensory acceptability testing. For this, an FDA No-Questions-Letter is required; self-affirmed GRAS is not sufficient.

Submission Requirements

Interested parties (companies or academic institutions) should submit a BAA preproposal detailing capabilities in one or more areas. Submissions must include:

Whether proposing product development, consumer research, and/or prototype demonstration.
A detailed technical approach.
Relevant past performance or corporate experience.
A rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate.
Business size (socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code (flexibility noted for unlisted NAICS), and CAGE code.

Domestic sourcing is an absolute requirement due to the Berry Amendment. Offerors may submit a single integrated preproposal addressing multiple areas. This is a Sources Sought for market research only; it is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement.