Meals for Survivors Request for Information (RFI)

Quick Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Logistics Management Division, is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify industry capabilities for providing disaster meals in support of emergency response and steady-state operations. This RFI aims to gather information for contingency planning, requirements development, and operational readiness assessments for mass feeding operations within the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). This is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation for a binding contract. Responses are due by February 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.

Scope of Interest

FEMA is seeking information on capabilities to provide various meal types, including Reduced Sodium Meals and Survivor Daily Rations (30-36 months shelf-life), as well as optional Commercial and Short Shelf-Life Meals (9-29 months shelf-life). The objective is to ensure the capacity to deliver up to 3.5 million meals within 72 hours during catastrophic disasters, in addition to steady-state replenishment within 30 days. Deliveries would be made to multiple FEMA Distribution Centers and warehouses across CONUS, OCONUS, and U.S. territories. Requirements include meeting specific shelf-life, packaging (DLA standards, heat-sealable pouches, palletized), and labeling standards (production date, lot number, expiration, nutrition facts). In-transit tracking (ITV via EDI/LSCMS) and contractor staff training on FEMA's LSCMS are also key.

Contract & Timeline

• Opportunity Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
• Purpose: Market research and information gathering for planning.
• Anticipated PoP Start: March 18, 2027 (for a potential future IDIQ contract).
• Potential IDIQ Duration: One Base Year (12 months) and four (4) Option Years (12 months each).
• Product Service Code (PSC): 8970 - Composite Food Packages
• NAICS Code: 311991 - Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
• Set-Aside: None specified.
• RFI Response Deadline: February 20, 2026, 3:00 PM EST
• Questions Deadline: February 10, 2026
• Published Date: January 29, 2026

Submission Requirements

Interested contractors must submit RFI responses electronically to Danyelle Wilcox (Danyelle.wilcox@fema.dhs.gov) and Danielle Sweetney (Danielle.Sweetney@fema.dhs.gov). The email subject line must be "RFI Response FEMA-Meals for Survivors". Responses should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format, with a maximum page limit of 15 pages (excluding cover page). Content should include a cover page and responses to FEMA's specific questions, limited to 10 pages.

RFI Questions for Respondents

FEMA requests information on:

• Capability to provide various meal types and quantities for rapid mobilization (within 72 hours) and steady-state replenishment (within 30 days) to CONUS and OCONUS.
• Maximum daily packaging capacity under surge conditions.
• Ability to meet SOW packaging specifications, including an illustration.
• Estimated per-meal pricing for both Steady State and Emergency Response.
• Foreseen challenges with the SOW (packaging, delivery, meal types).
• Feedback on the attached requirements document for clarity.
• Any additional relevant information.

Additional Notes

This RFI is solely for information gathering; it is not an offer and cannot lead to a binding contract. Respondents are responsible for all associated expenses and will not be notified of market research results. A related FEMA Tender of Service Program 2026 Virtual Industry Day webinar is scheduled for February 2, 2026, with registration required by January 29, 2026.