Solicitation SPE3S1-26-R-0007.pdf

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING

2. CONTRACT No.

SPE3S1-26-R-0007

3. SOLICITATION No. 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)X

2026 JUN 09

5. DATE ISSUED

1000215681

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE No.

7. ISSUED BY 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

NOTE : In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in local time

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

SOLICITATION

until (Hour) (Date)

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev.9-97) Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.214 (c)

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror ) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

(Type or print)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMEND-

MENTS (The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

(X) PAGE(S) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I CONTRACT CLAUSESSOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

AMENDMENT NO. DATEAMENDMENT NO. DATE

G

H

SEC.

B

A

C

E

D

F

(X)

FACILITY

CODE

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS

DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH

ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE

17. SIGNATURE

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 7) CODE CODE

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer )

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFER-

OR

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ( 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) () )

DLA TROOP SUPPORT

SUBSISTENCE SUPPLY CHAIN

700 ROBBINS AVENUE

PHILADELPHIA PA 19111-5096

USA

See Continuation Sheet

Not Applicable 3:00PM 2026-Jul-09

Russell Manuel PSPTRCB

A. NAME

Phone: 445-737-8162

FAX: 215-737-2988

B. PHONE/FAX (NO COLLECT CALLS)

Russell.J.Manuel@dla.mil

C. EMAIL ADDRESS

X 1

X 4

X 12

X 20

X 23

X 63

X 63

X 64

X 66

X 93

X 102

X 109

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 18. OFFER DATE

28. AWARD DATE

20. AMOUNT

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

ITEM

SPE3S1

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SPE3S1-26-R-0007

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SOLICITATION AND OFFER - FORM SF33

(CONTINUATION SHEET)

A-1

Note: All offerors must submit documentation via email to the Contract Specialist, Russell Manuel at Russell.J.

Manuel@dla.mil and the Contracting Officer, Tiendung Nguyen at Tiendung.Nguyen@dla.mil.

IT IS SOLELY THE OFFEROR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE ITS PROPOSAL IS RECEIVED BY

THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED GIVEN THE LIMITATIONS OF DLA TROOP SUPPORT'S

RECEIVING OFFICE LISTED IN SECTION L AND BELOW:

ATTN: RUSSELL MANUEL AND TIENDUNG NGUYEN

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY DLA TROOP SUPPORT-SUBSISTENCE DIRECTORATE

BLDG. 6B, SUBSISTENCE MAIL ROOM, DESK 6B084

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19111-5092

Facsimile offers are not acceptable forms of transmission of initial proposals or revisions to initial proposals.

E-mail is the only acceptable form of transmission for initial proposals, except for the initial Product Demonstration Models. E-mail offers should be sent to the Contract Specialist, Russell Manuel (Russell.J.Manuel@dla.mil) and the Contracting Officer, Tiendung Nguyen (Tiendung.nguyen@dla.mil). Although e-mail offers are acceptable, all Product Demonstration Models must be delivered to the location identified above and in Section L by the date and time set for receipt of proposals.

Note:

Offerors are advised that DLA Troop Support systems have certain email size and transmission limitations. Proposal submissions must be prepared accordingly. Individual email attachments should not exceed 5MB in size, and no individual email should exceed more than 10 MB per email (multiple email submissions may be necessary). When submitting multiple emails as a submission, label each email with a number (e.g., 1 of 8), accordingly. After transmitting an email submission, offerors should confirm receipt of all emails with the intended recipients.

It is an offeror's responsibility to ensure its entire proposal is received by the date and time specified; emails must be transmitted in sufficient time to ensure and confirm receipt by the Government. Offerors are advised that DLA Troop Support's email system may rely on several different servers and/or security firewalls. As a result, there may be a lag time between the date/time stamp the offeror sends an offer via email and the date/time stamp indicates the offer is received by the authorized email address. For the purposes of establishing the timeliness of a proposal, only the date/ time indicated by the authorized email address as having been received will be used. Any offer that is received by the authorized email address with a date/time stamp after the closing date/time of the subject solicitation will be considered late, regardless of the date/time when the email was sent or when initially received by Government servers. Late proposals will not be accepted or considered.

As directed by the Contracting Officer, e-mail may also be used during discussions/negotiations, if discussions/

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SPE3S1-26-R-0007

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM (CONTINUED)

negotiations are held, and for proposal revision(s), including Final Proposal Revision(s). The Contract Specialist, Russell Manuel (Russell.J.Manuel@dla.mil) and the Contracting Officer, Tiendung Nguyen (Tiendung.nguyen@dla.

mil) may receive the e- mailed proposal revisions. If and when a request for proposal revision is issued, the date and time for receipt of proposal revisions, will be designated in that request. Submission of proposals and any revisions are subject to the terms of FAR 52.215-1.

Note: Submission of proposals through the upload capability in DIBBS is prohibited.

Note: The Government reserves the right to evaluate offers and make award(s) without discussions with offerors.

Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint.

However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.

Note: In accordance with L09 Reverse Auction (OCT 2016), the Government may utilize Reverse Auction as a pricing technique under this solicitation.

Note: Included in Section I are the full text versions of the Cyber Incidents clauses, DFARS 252.204-7008, 252.204-7009, and 252.204-7012.

A-2

CAUTION - CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS

FAR Part 3.1002(a) requires all Government contractors to conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and honesty. Contractors should have a written code of business ethics and conduct. To promote compliance with such code of business ethics and conduct, contractors should have an employee business ethics and compliance training program and internal control system that is suitable to the size of the company and extent of its involvement in Government contracting, that facilitates timely discovery and disclosure of improper conduct in connection with Government contracts, and ensures corrective measures are promptly instituted and carried out. A contractor may be suspended and/or debarred for knowing failure by a principal to timely disclose to the Government, in connection with the award, performance, or closeout of a Government contract performed by the contractor or a subcontract awarded there under, credible evidence of a violation of federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity violations found in title 18 of the United States Code or a violation of the False Claims Act. (31 U.

S.C. 3729-3733)

This solicitation and the resulting contract includes FAR clause 52.203-13 - CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT; contained elsewhere in the solicitation or contract. The contractor shall comply with the terms of the clause and have a written code of business ethics and conduct; exercise due diligence to prevent and detect criminal conduct; promote ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with the law within their organization; and timely report any violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or gratuity violations found in title 18 of the United States Code or any violations of the False Claims Act. (31 U.S.C.

3729-3733)

**NOTE: Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov). Those not registered in SAM may be considered non-responsible and may be deemed ineligible for award. Upon registration, a CAGE code will be assigned to the registered firm. This code shall be placed in the box next to “code” in block 15A of the cover sheet.

All clauses incorporated in full text throughout the entire solicitation must be filled out as applicable.

FOB Destination terms are applicable to this solicitation.

DLA Troop Support and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM

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SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM (CONTINUED)

SC) addresses for PDM submissions can be found in Section L-4.

All materials pertaining to the Technical Proposal, Business (Price) Proposal, and Additional Submission Requirements must be submitted with initial offer.

NOTE: The Contracting Officer reserves the right to request past performance information from any offeror for informational purposes only. This information will not be used as an evaluation factor or as part of the determination of responsibility for award.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS

B-1 Items to be Supplied

A. Estimated Requirements

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

These estimated quantities are based on forecasts provided by the services. The Government is not obligated to order estimated quantities.

B. Indefinite-Quantity Contract (IQC) Quantities

The IQC minimum and IQC maximum quantities for each Rations National Contract (RNC) Beverage component are as follows (Unit of measure for each component is each (EA)):

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

Note: Surge Quantities are applicable to all RNC Beverage components. See Section C for Surge and Sustainment Plan requirements, Section L for Surge and Sustainment submissions procedures, and Section M for Surge and Sustainment evaluation criteria.

Note: The Government guarantees that it will order the minimum of units stated above in Section A. Indefinite- Quantity Contract (IQC) Quantities during the life of the resultant contract(s). The guaranteed minimum quantity may be ordered during any tier period or combination of tier periods. The Government may fulfill the guaranteed minimum quantity by issuing a single delivery order or any number of delivery orders. Any quantities ordered by the Assemblers shall contribute towards satisfying the Government's guaranteed minimum quantity. However, in fulfilling the guaranteed minimum quantity, the total dollar value expended by the Government shall not exceed the dollar value of the guaranteed minimum quantity procured at the lowest unit price established under the contract(s) and is hereafter referred to as the “guaranteed minimum dollar value.” If an offeror is awarded multiple line items, then the total guaranteed minimum dollar value for the contract(s) shall be the sum of each awarded line item's guaranteed minimum dollar value. The Government will be considered to have fulfilled its obligation to order the guaranteed minimum quantity when the guaranteed minimum dollar value has been met.

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

C. Delivery Schedule

RNC Beverage components are F.O.B. Destination, and one price must be offered for all Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) assembler locations:

AmeriQual Packaging SOPAKCO, Inc. Baxters North America 225 West Morgan Avenue 118 S. Cypress Street 4700 Creek Road Evansville, IN 47710 Mullins, SC 29574 Cincinnati, OH 45242-8330

Note: Some or all of these locations could change during the performance of the contract, and delivery must be made to the specified delivery destination at no additional cost to the Government. Actual ordering quantities and shipping information will be provided in individual delivery order(s). Orders will be placed on an F.O.B Destination basis only. The MRE Assemblers will be responsible for ordering and developing delivery schedules for RNC components.

Section H-1 further details RNC component ordering.

B-2 General Information

DLA Troop Support will establish a RNC with component manufacturers, and will authorize the Meal, Ready-to- Eat (MRE) assemblers to order directly from the national contracts in lieu of DLA providing the components as Government Furnished Material (GFM). The RNC will establish the component prices, but the assemblers, will order and pay for the material directly. The assemblers will have full control over when to order, how much to order, and have full responsibility for the supply chain and inventory. See FAR 52.216-19 - Order limitations for more information.

Note: The quantities ordered by the Assemblers satisfies the Government's minimum order.

Note: Terms and conditions of the individual RNC Beverage component contract(s) will prevail in the case of a conflict with the MRE contract.

The effective term of the contract will contain five (5) consecutive tiered delivery periods. Each tier will be 365 days in length. The first delivery period will begin upon date of award, unless otherwise specified in the resultant contract.

This solicitation is a Small Business Set-Aside for all line items. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes under this solicitation for each RNC Beverage component is as follows:

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B-3 Pricing

The effective period of the contract for Tier 1 will be from the effective date of award through 365 days. Tier 2 will begin after the 365th day of Tier 1, and will be the same length of 365 days. The same pattern will follow for Tier 3, Tier 4, and Tier 5. The performance period of the contract will end on the 365th day of Tier 5.

Note: RNC Beverage Component prices will be based on the tier period an order is placed, not when an order is shipped or delivered. For example, if an order is placed during tier 2, but delivery is made during tier 3, then the prices in effect for that order will be the tier 2 prices.

B-4 Indefinite Quantity Contract

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

This solicitation will result in an Indefinite-Quantity Contract (IQC), as provided in FAR Clause 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (DEVIATION 2026-O0038) (FEB 2026). In an IQC, the Government awards a range of quantities rather than a single fixed quantity. The bottom of the range is the minimum (the IQC minimum quantity), which the Government is obliged to order and which is all it is committed to order. The top of the range is the maximum (The IQC maximum quantity) which is the largest quantity the Government may order, and which the contractor agrees to provide if ordered. The Government may order a quantity within that range. Sometimes an estimated quantity is stated also; which may be the same as the minimum or the maximum, or it may be a quantity within the IQC range.

Note: The quantities ordered by the Assemblers satisfies the Government's minimum order.

B-5 Product Demonstration Models (PDMs)

Acceptable PDMs, also referred to as approved PDMs, will be used as production standards by both the Contractor and the Government. The production lots/product-codes used as the production standards by both the Contractor and the Government must be identical. The approval of any PDM will not constitute a waiver of the requirement that all delivered product must meet all other solicitation/contractual requirements, such as but not limited to, analytical requirements, physical requirements, microbiological requirements and/or performance requirements unless specifically stated by the Contracting Officer. The offeror/contractor will be responsible for the shipment of PDM samples to DEVCOM SC, to DLA Troop Support, and to hold samples at the Contractor's site

The contractor is required to retain and possess its own set of approved PDMs and will be responsible for the distribution of approved PDMs to Government entities, when required by the Contracting Officer, throughout contract performance.

Initial PDM

PDMs must be submitted for each line item on which an offeror intends to bid prior to the close of the solicitation, and found to meet the standards referenced in the respective RNC Beverage component specification. Individual item specifications can be found in section C-2. Refer to Sections L and M for PDM submission instructions and evaluation criteria as a part of a proposal. By submitting their Initial PDMs, offerors warrant that product submitted under any resultant contract will confirm to all packaging, labeling and packing requirements as well as analytical requirements. The Government will not accept product offered under this solicitation or produced for performance under the resultant contract that does not conform to all requirements.

New PDM

During the course of contract performance, new items may be introduced for delivery during the next delivery period. PDMs are required for all new items and must be submitted 45 days prior to the start of the delivery period in which the new items will be incorporated into the contract. If approved product technical requirements for new items are not available to meet this requirement, the contractor must submit PDMs within 30 days from the date the requirements document is published. Contractors must certify that the PDM(s) conforms to all specification/ production description characteristics, or must adequately describe any differences the PDM may have from the requirements of the product description or specification(s). Upon approval by DLA Troop Support, the New PDM will become the product standard.

Replacement PDM

Changes in production methodology or packaging, such as implementation of new technology, may result in a product non-comparable to one or more observable characteristics of the production standard.

If the Government determines, on its own or at the suggestion of the contractor, that any change in a product characteristic, CONTINUATION SHEET REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED: PAGE 10 OF 112 PAGES

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

other than changes to shape or dimension compatible with performance requirements, results in a product that is no longer comparable to the production standard, the contractor must submit a replacement PDM. If the Government determines, on its own or at the suggestion of the contractor, that any changes to shape or dimension impact on the ability to compare the new product to the production standard in terms of the performance requirements designated for appearance, odor, flavor, and texture, the contractor must submit a replacement PDM. The contractor must submit a replacement PDM if determined necessary by the Government. Contractors must certify that the PDM(s) conforms to all specification/production description characteristics, or must adequately describe any differences the PDM may have from the requirements of the product description or specification(s).

The contractor must bear all expenses incidental to the submission of Replacement PDMs to DEVCOM SC and their evaluations by DEVCOM SC.

Upon approval by DLA Troop Support, the Replacement PDM will become the product standard.

Replenishment PDM

Every 12 months, or as otherwise specified by the Contracting Officer, for finished-product components inspected by the Government at origin, the Government Quality Assurance Representative (GQAR) will replenish the Government's supply of PDM's at origin with 70 PDMs randomly selected from a lot inspected and accepted by the Government for all contractual requirements. In addition, the GQAR will randomly select from the lot 32 replenishment PDMs for DEVCOM SC and 4 replenishment PDMs for DLA Troop Support.

Upon approval by DLA Troop Support, the Replenishment PDM will become the product standard.

Submission Process for New, Replacement, and Replenishment PDMs

106 PDMs of each Beverage component must be submitted as follows:

32 PDMs of each Beverage component must be sent to:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

FCDD-SCC-EMR ATTN: Jill Bates

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center

10 GENERAL GREENE AVENUE

NATICK, MA 01760

4 PDMs of each Beverage component must be sent to:

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DLA TROOP SUPPORT

700 ROBBINS AVENUE

ATT: BLDG. 6B, SUBSISTENCE MAIL ROOM, DESK 6B084

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19111

Note: The end or side of the Case should have a label, or be printed on the Case, with the following information:

Product Demonstration Model Contract Number

Product Identity

Lot#

Company Name and Address

Point of Contact Name and Phone Number

Inside the Case, along with the 32 PDMs, must be the required paperwork fully identifying the item; the lot number;

the contractor; the contract number; the type of PDM (New, Replenishment, or Replacement); the current PDM lot number; USDA certification as applicable; analytical and microbiological test results performed by the contractor;

any other information to assist in identifying the product and conducting the evaluation. Analytical and microbiological test results, wherever required, must be submitted with PDMs.

Contractors must maintain 70 of their own sets of approved PDMs that were derived from identical finished-component production lots and/or identical bulk-component production lots; to be referred to as in-common product- code PDMs. The submitting contractor will send written notification of in-common product-code submissions, endorsed by each participating contractor, to DLA Troop Support for approval by the Contracting Officer. DLA Troop Support will notify DEVCOM SC as to which contractors are submitting what in-common product-codes. Once notified of Contracting Officer approval, the submitting Contractor must include in its submission package the identity of the Contractors for whom the submission pertains. The submitting Contractor will also be responsible for the distribution and shipment of any in-common product-code PDM samples to DEVCOM SC and to DLA Troop Support.

Evaluation Process for New, Replacement, and Replenishment PDMs

A DEVCOM SC PDM evaluation panel will evaluate New and Replacement PDMs for compliance with product specifications and for compliance with the sensory characteristics designated and defined in the product's technical documents. These sensory characteristics, namely appearance, odor, flavor, and texture (or combination thereof where dictated by the product's technical documents), represents distinct sensory characteristic categories and will be evaluated by category by panelist. Each panelist will assign to each sensory characteristic category a quality rating by using a 9-point quality scale, where 9 is the highest rating and 1 the lowest rating. The mean value of the panelist's ratings for each sensory characteristic category will be determined.

DEVCOM SC will assign an overall quality scale rating to each New and Replacement PDM that it evaluates. The overall rating will be equal to the mean score of the lowest-rated sensory characteristic category. For each New PDM, an overall quality rating of 6.00 through 9.00 will indicate an acceptable rating and an overall quality rating of 1.00 through 5.99 will indicate an unacceptable rating. For each Replacement PDM, an overall quality rating of

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SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES OR COSTS (CONTINUED)

6.00 through 9.00 will indicate an acceptable rating and an overall quality rating of 1.00 through 5.99 will indicate an unacceptable rating. In addition, for a Replacement PDM to be found “acceptable”, its overall quality rating will be equal to or higher than the original overall quality scale assigned to the Initial, New, or Replacement PDM representing the item to be replaced. A lower overall quality rating will indicate an unacceptable replacement rating.

DEVCOM SC will evaluate Replenishment PDMs for appearance, odor, flavor and texture; and the evaluation must determine the Replenishment PDM to be equal to or better than the existing product standard for all characteristics in order to be rated as “Acceptable”.

The results of DEVCOM SC's PDM evaluations will be reported to DLA Troop Support as “Acceptable” or “Unacceptable”. An “Acceptable” PDM-rating will not constitute a waiver of any specification requirement unless specifically stated by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS/SOW/SOO/ORD

Section C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

C-1. NSN/ITEM DESCRIPTION

8960-01-631-1103 BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, CRANBERRY GRAPE; 2.2 gm flex pg, CID A-A-20098, PKG&QAP, Type III, Flavor 22, Formulation a, Design D

8960-01-527-8377 BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, LEMONADE; 2.2 gm flex pg, CID A-A-20098, PKG&QAP, Type III, Flavor 8, Formulation a, Design D

8960-01-584-8726

BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, ORANGE, FORTIFIED WITH

ASCORBIC ACID AND CALCIUM; 3 gm flex pg, CID A-A-20098, PKG&QAP, Type III, Flavor 1, Formulation h, Design D

8960-01-527-8378 BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, RASPBERRY; 2.2 gm flex pg, CID A-A-20098, PKG&QAP, Type III, Flavor 13, Formulation a, Design D

8960-01-505-4236 BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, GRAPE; 24 gm flex pg, PCR-B-013, Flavor II, Design B

8960-01-505-4240 BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, ORANGE; 24 gm flex pg, PCR-B-013, Flavor IV, Design B

8960-01-523-6346

BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH

MALTODEXTRIN, LEMON-LIME; 34 gm flex pg, PCR-B-055, Formulation a, Flavor 3

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SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS/SOW/SOO/ORD (CONTINUED)

8960-01-523-6344

BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH

MALTODEXTRIN, ORANGE; 34 gm flex pg, PCR-B-055, Formulation a, Flavor 4

8960-01-523-6348

BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH

MALTODEXTRIN, TROPICAL PUNCH; 34 gm flex pg, PCR-B-055, Formulation a, Flavor 5

8940-00-782-3161 CREAMER, NON-DAIRY, DRY, REGULAR; 4 gm flex pg, CID A-A-20043, PKG&QAP, Style I, Flavor A

8960-01-691-7254 TROPICAL BLEND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE SMOOTHIE POWDER; 35 gm flex pg, PCR-F-005, Flavor I

8960-01-613-1433 BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ENHANCED WITH CAFFEINE, LEMON-LIME; 25 gm flex pg, PCR-B-055, Formulation c, Flavor 3

8960-01-729-6763 BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ENHANCED WITH CAFFEINE, MIXED BERRY; 25 gm flex pg, PCR-B-055, Formulation c, Flavor 7

C-2. PRIME DOCUMENTS

Prime Documents:

CID A-A-20043, PKG&QAP Creamer, Non-Dairy, Dry CID A-A-20098, PKG&QAP Beverage Bases (Powdered) PCR-B-013 Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte PCR-B-055 Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate PCR-F-005 Beverage Powder, Fruit and Vegetable Blend Juice Smoothie

Applicable versions of documents cited here as prime documents including changes are posted at http://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/Operationalrations/Frozen.aspx

C-3. DATE OF PACK:

A. Acceptance will be limited to product processed and packed subsequent to date of award/beginning of any following Tier year.

C-4. MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS

A. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS

1. The Contractor shall comply with 21 CFR §117 “Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, CONTINUATION SHEET REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED: PAGE 14 OF 112 PAGES

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SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS/SOW/SOO/ORD (CONTINUED)

and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food”, and other applicable regulations. The Contractor shall ensure all sub-contractors comply with all applicable regulations. In addition, the contractor is required to comply with all applicable parts of the Code of Federal Regulations.

2. All products shall comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, processing, thermoprocessing, packaging, labeling, packing, storage, and distribution of those products.

3. PER- OR POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCE PROHIBITION. Any food contact substances that are used to assemble and package MRE components shall not contain per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

B. PERFORMANCE, PACKAGING AND QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS

1. Unless otherwise specified in Sections C, D, or E of this document, the packaging provisions and quality assurance provisions (verifications) for individual component items are cited in their respective PCRs, MIL-STDs, MIL-PRFs, PKG&QAPs, and MIL specs.

2. Order of Precedence for Commercial Item Description (CID) and Packaging Requirements and Quality Assurance Provision (PKG&QAP)

Applicable to those individual rations components procured in conjunction with both a Commercial Item Description (CID) and a Packaging Requirements and Quality Assurance Provision (PKG&QAP), the PKG&QAP shall take precedence, unless elsewhere excepted in this solicitation/contract. In the event of conflict between those procedures, requirements, and inspections cited in a PKG&QAP and those cited in its associated CID, those procedures, requirements, and inspections cited in the PKG&QAP shall control.

C. PRODUCT SANITARILY APPROVED SOURCE REQUIREMENTS

1. As required by 48 CFR §246.408-70, Subsistence; AR 40-657/NAVSUP 4355.4H/MCO P10110.31H, Veterinary/Medical Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory Service; DLAR 4155.3, Inspection of Subsistence Supplies and Services; DLAD 52.246-9044, Sanitary Conditions; and as clarified by the Armed Forces Food Risk Evaluation Committee, all Operational Ration Food Components shall originate from establishments sanitarily approved for supplying the specific food item.

2. Sanitary approval is established by:

a. Listing in the Worldwide Directory of Sanitarily Approved Food Establishments for Armed Forces Procurement (Worldwide Directory) as established by the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Food Protection Division.

b. An establishment specifically exempted from listing in the Worldwide Directory by AR 40-657/ NAVSUP 4355.4H/MCO P10110.31H paragraph 2-15a(2)(a) through (i).

3. This requirement applies to all Operational Rations and all Contractor Furnished Material (CFM) and Ration National Contracts (RNC) Operational Ration food components.

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4. Requests for inspection and Worldwide Directory listing by the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Food Protection Division will be routed through DLA Troop Support-FTR for coordination and action. Situations involving sole sources of supply, proprietary supply sources, and commercial brand name items will be evaluated directly by the Chief, DLA Troop Support-FTR, in coordination with the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Food Protection Division.

5. In addition to the above, all producers of MRE food components shall be listed in the Worldwide Directory as determined by the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Food Protection Division.

D. NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. A nutritional analysis for each product requiring a PDM shall be provided to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Division for review within two weeks of the award of the contract and each time there is a major formulation change.

2. The Nutritional analysis shall be generated by using a commercial Food Analysis and Labeling Software.

The analysis shall be sent electronically to Julie Edwards (julie.a.edwards34.civ@army.mil) at U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Division.

a. The software generated food list files shall be provided for a 100 gm portion.

b. The food item files shall be included in the analysis file.

3. The ingredients and weight of each ingredient shall be included for each formulation.

a. Nutrients included shall be:

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b. The nutrients as required under the Nutrient Content paragraph and the verification of the nutrients as required under the Methods of Inspection paragraph in each specification is mandatory.

c. Nutrient measurements shall be to the first decimal.

E. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1. The ”Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program Requirements for Operational Rations,” of November 2017 is applicable to this DLA Troop Support Subsistence contract, except as specifically exempted in Section E of this solicitation/contract. The IPM program shall be in existence prior to contract award. The IPM plan shall be stand-alone and submitted to DLA Troop Support. The associated pesticide labels and MSDS documents are not to be submitted to DLA Troop Support, unless specifically requested by the Contracting Officer. The contractor shall have these documents available for on-site review during a Pest Management Audit, Quality Systems Management Visit

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(QSMV), or Quality Systems Compliance Audit. Evidence of any insect, rodent or pest infestation discovered in contact with materials or equipment used in the production of or found in an end-item component or assembly lot shall be cause for rejection of the involved lot. DLA Troop Support shall be notified within 24 hours when such pest activity has been found and informed of the corrective actions taken. IPM program requirements are found on the DLA Troop Support website at: http://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/FoodSafety/FoodQuality.aspx

F. FOOD DEFENSE

1. The submission and implementation of a stand-alone Food Defense Plan (FDP) is required for this DLA Troop Support Subsistence contract. A Food Defense Plan shall be in existence prior to start of production. The plan shall address those areas of concern listed in the DLA Troop Support Food Defense Checklist applicable to the contractor's facility/operation. A copy of the DLA Food Defense Checklist is available online to download at the web address: http://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/FoodSafety/FoodQuality.aspx or through the applicable Contracting Officer or the DLA Troop Support Quality Audits & Food Defense Branch (DLA Troop Support-FTSB).

All areas of concern listed in the DLA Food Defense Checklist must be addressed within the FDP. Points will be deducted for not addressing each element listed in the DLA Troop Support Food Defense Checklist, or by not providing the information requested (e.g., establishment registration information). Submit Food Defense Plans to the applicable DLA Troop Support Contracting Officer. The Quality Audits & Food Defense Branch is the only DLA Troop Support office authorized to review and approve Food Defense Plans. All Food Defense Plans are maintained and secured by FTSB. DLA Troop Support-FTSB will conduct Food Defense Audits/reviews during Compliance Audits and/or other visits to verify the implementation, compliance, and effectiveness of the firm's Food Defense Plan. For each new contract solicitation, a current FDP shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer for evaluation.

NOTE: If more than one facility under direct control of the contractor will be used to produce and/or store product, a separate Food Defense Plan for each facility shall be submitted. A completed DLA Troop Support Food Defense Checklist, by itself, is not a Food Defense Plan but may be included as part of the plan.

G. CONTRACTOR SANITATION PROGRAM

1. The “Contractor Sanitation Program - Operational Rations,” of November 2015 is applicable to this DLA Troop Support Subsistence contract, except as specifically exempted in Section E of this solicitation/contract. The Contractor Sanitation Program shall be in existence prior to contract award. The program is not to be submitted to DLA Troop Support unless specifically requested by the applicable DLA Troop Support Contracting Officer. The contractor shall have the program available for on-site review during a QSMV or Quality Systems Compliance Audit. Evidence of any insect, rodent or pest infestation; foreign material; or contamination discovered in contact with an end-item component or assembly lot shall be cause for rejection of the involved lot. Contractor Sanitation Program requirements are found on the DLA Troop Support website at: http://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/ Subsistence/FoodSafety/FoodQuality.aspx

H. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. In view of the fact that the ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Standard does not contain the definitions for critical, major, and minor defects, the following definitions become contractually binding through their inclusion here:

Critical defect. A critical defect is a defect that judgment and experience indicate would result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using, maintaining, or depending on the item; or a defect that judgment and experience indicate is likely to prevent the performance of the major end item, i.e., the consumption of the ration.

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Major defect. A major defect is a defect, other than critical, that is likely to result in failure, or reduce materially the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose.

Minor defect. A minor defect is a defect that is not likely to reduce materially the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose or is a departure from established standards having little bearing on the effective use of operation of the unit.

2. For all documents that require Salmonella testing, Microbiological Testing, Association of Official Analytical Chemists' Official Method of Analysis 2013.09 (AOAC OMA 2013.09) is authorized.

3. Product verification sampling for Salmonella testing. When USDA verification of microbiological requirements is specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, microbiological testing shall be performed on five individual samples regardless of lot size. Each individual sample shall be comprised of the number of randomly drawn filled and sealed pouches necessary to yield a minimum sample weight of 28 g (1 oz).

4. The following shall be applied to Section D-1 PACKAGING in PKG&QAP A-A-20043 PACKAGING

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS FOR CID AA-20043, CREAMER, NON-

DAIRY, DRY:

A tear nick, notch or serrations shall be provided on one outside edge or two opposite edges of the packet to facilitate easy opening of the filled and sealed packet. If a tear nick, notch or serrations are missing or do not facilitate easy opening, a Minor 202 defect, under “Table II Filled and sealed packet defects”, shall be assigned for each packet not meeting the requirement. The Minor 202 defect description shall be “Tear nick or notch or serrations missing or does not facilitate easy opening”.

5. For all documents that require Yeast and Mold testing, a nationally recognized certified laboratory or government laboratory can perform testing using Association of Official Analytical Chemists' Official Method of Analysis 2014.05, Enumeration of Yeast and Mold in Food - 3M Petrifilm Rapid Yeast and Mold Count Plate. The laboratory shall utilize the methods that are fit for purpose for the commodity type.

6. Alternate Method of Test Verification.

a. For those operational ration component's technical data requirements documents (e.g., PCR, MIL-DTL, PKG&QAP) that permit the acceptance of a CoC and/or CoA as an alternate method of end-item test verification, use of a CoC and/or CoA by a contractor as verification of end-item test conformance is permitted in accordance with the conditions as cited in a product's technical data requirements document. However, Government end-item verification testing shall be performed as directed by the Contracting Officer.

7. When a Certificate of Analysis (COA) is offered to the GQAR for component testing, the following, at a minimum, shall be included on the official report:

a. Laboratory Identification

b. Applicant Identification

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c. Product Identity (name and lot number)

d. Test Identification

e. Test Method

f. Test Results

g. Date Report Issued

h. Name and Signature of Approving Official

8. Following applies to DLA Troop Support Form 3507, Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semipershable Subsistence Items, Apr 2014:

a. Page 1, At “Reference Documents, (1). Pallets and Construction”:

Delete “ANSI MHIA MH1-2005: Part 3, Wood Pallets and Part 9, Wood Pallets for Military Use” Insert: “ANSI MHI MN1-2016; Part 3, Wood Pallets and Part 9, Wood Pallets for Department of Defense Use”

b. Page 2, At “(5) Sampling and Test Procedures”:

Delete “ANSI/ASQC Z. 1.4 - Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes” Insert “ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 - Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes”

c. Page 2, At “General Requirements, Pallets”, Delete “Pallets: Unless otherwise specified herein, or by contract, pallets shall conform to Part 3 and Part 9 of ANSI MHIA MH1-2005. Pallets shall be Class 1, Type 2, Style 6, Size 2. For pallet loads under 1500 pounds, ref. Part 9, Table 4, ANSI Part No.MH1/9-02SW4048. For pallet loads 1501 to 3000 pounds, ref. Part 9, Table 4, ANSI Part No.

MH1/9-05SW4048.”

Insert “Pallets: Unless otherwise specified herein, or by contract, pallets shall conform to Part 3 and Part 9 of ANSI MHI MH1-2016. Pallets shall be:

Class (Class 1): Stringer Pallet.

Type (Type 2): Partial four-way entry pallet with openings at both ends and sides with limiting accessibility of the openings to common handling equipment, i.e. notched stringer pallet and block pallet with overlapping bottom stringer boards and bottom deckboards, or panels.

Style (Style 6): Double-face, nonreversible. In addition, the pallet shall be “pallet, double-wing”, as defined in ANSI

MHI MH1-2016.

Size 2. 40 inch x 48 inch.

For pallet loads under 1500 pounds, ref. Part 9, Table 4, ANSI Part No.MH1/9-02SW4048. For pallet loads 1501 to 3000 pounds, ref. Part 9, Table 4, ANSI Part No. MH1/9-05SW4048.

Note: When unitizing individual field meals (MRE, MCW, LRP) and humanitarian ration (HDR), the top deck

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surface area “footprint” of the specified double wing pallet may be increased to reduce load overhang. Maximum top deck dimensions of (L) 43” x (W) 51.5” may be used. This option only applies to top deck board and stringer (length) dimensions.”

9. Ground and Tree Nuts as Ingredients-

Ground nuts, tree nuts, and their products, are prohibited as a component ingredient unless explicitly required by the product specification or approved by the contracting officer.

C03 CONTRACTOR RETENTION OF SUPPLY CHAIN TRACEABILITY DOCUMENTATION (JUN 2023)

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

Section D - PACKAGING/LABELING/PACKING/UNITIZATION/MARKING

D-1. PACKAGING: In accordance with D-1 PACKAGING of applicable Commercial Item Description (CID) Packaging Requirements and Quality Assurance Provisions or applicable Performance-based Contract Requirements (PCR) document.

D-2. LABELING:

A. In accordance with D-2 LABLEING of applicable Commercial Item Description (CID) Packaging Requirements and Quality Assurance Provisions or applicable Performance-based Contract Requirements (PCR) document.

B. The date of pack representing the lot number in the pouch code for individual rations component packages shall be as follows:

Each pouch shall have the date of pack noted by using either a four-digit code or five-digit code. When using the four-digit code, begin with the final digit of the current year followed by the three-digit Julian code. For example, 14 February 2050 would be coded as 0045. When using the five-digit code, begin with the decade digit of the current year followed by the three-digit Julian code. For example, 14 February 2050 would be coded as 50045. The Julian code shall represent the day the product was packaged into the pouch.

D-3. PACKING: Not more than 40 pounds of product shall be packed in a fiberboard shipping box constructed in accordance with style RSC-L of ASTM D5118/D5118M, Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes.

The fiberboard shall conform to type CF, class D, variety SW, burst grade 200 or ECT grade 32 of ASTM D4727/ D4727M, Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes.

Each box shall be securely closed in accordance with ASTM D1974/D1974M, Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes.

D-4. UNITIZATION: Unit loads shall be arranged in accordance with the requirements of Type III, Class G - Commercial Loads, Palletized, of DLA Troop Support Form 3507, Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semiperishable Subsistence Items*/.

*/ Pallets shall conform to requirements cited in the General Requirement section of DLA Troop Support Form 3507.

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D-5. MARKING: Shipping container markings shall be as follows:

A. Shipping containers that are not being shipped to ration assemblers shall be marked in accordance with DLA Troop Support Form 3556, Marking Instructions for Boxes, Sacks, and Unit Loads of Perishable and Semiperishable Subsistence.

B. Shipping containers that are shipped to ration assembly contractors are permitted to have alternative markings that have been agreed upon by each assembler and the GQAR. A copy of this agreement shall be provided to the contracting officer prior to any shipment with alternative markings. In addition, any alternative markings shall comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements. This requirement shall remain in place for the duration of this contract or until further notice.

D-6. SHIPPING AND COMINGLING OF LOTS:

A. Formation of Lots: In order to facilitate lot traceability at the assembler's plant, the following is required:

1. Lots shall be shipped on a first produced (and accepted) first out basis.

2. Each shipping case shall normally contain only one manufacturer's lot. If a partial shipping case remains at the end of the production day, dunnage shall be used to fill the remainder of the case and the outside of the case shall be marked indicating the number of pouches/items within. See the following sub-paragraph entitled “Mixed Code Lots” for exception.

3. Each unit load shall contain only one production lot, as a rule. However, when a partial unit load remains at the end of a production day, the contractor is permitted to complete the unit load with another lot's material. In this instance a unit load may consist of two lots to facilitate shipment.

4. When two lots are incorporated on one pallet, the lots shall be distinctly separated by the use of paper or other material suitable for this purpose. When this occurs, the contractor shall affix a unit load placard on two adjacent sides of the unit load, identifying each lot number on the load and the quantities of pouches/items within each lot.

5.