Sources Sought Notice (SSN) - 2026 RNC Beverage Bases.docx

This is a Sources Sought Notice. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Philadelphia Operational Rations Program Office is interested in your feedback regarding the Rations National Contract (RNC), Beverage Base Component items. The Beverage Base components are utilized in the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) program. The MRE supports U.S. Military organizations, and is designed to sustain an individual engaged in military training or military operations when normal food service facilities are not available. The Assemblers in the Industrial Base purchase Beverage Base Components for inclusion in the end-item meals.

DLA Troop Support Philadelphia continually evaluates the current industrial base, acquisition approaches, supply chain management alternatives and industry interest in this program. Of particular interest is a supplier’s ability to meet increased quantity and or accelerated delivery requirements, in support of Department of Defense contingencies and or emergency peacetime requirements. This capability includes both the ability to ramp up to meet early delivery or increased requirements (i.e., Surge), as well as to sustain an increased production and delivery pace throughout the contingency (i.e., Sustainment). The MRE Beverage Base components are designated as, and meet all the criteria to be deemed, mobilization essential (i.e. warstopper) by DLA and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A program is deemed mobilization essential when it provides an item that is essential or critical to the warfighter’s mission.

This is not a solicitation for proposals, and there is no solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this notification, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. This notification does not constitute a commitment from the Government, and any information provided in response to this notification will be used for informational purposes only. Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked. Vendor participation is not a promise for future business with the Government. The sole purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to conduct Market Research.

Please respond to the following:

1. Provide a brief description of your company (name, address, type of business; CAGE Code if applicable).

2. Business size : Large_____ Small______ Number of Employees________

3. Primary point of contact’s phone number and email address.

4. Secondary point of contact (if any).

5. Has your company had previous experience producing, packaging and/or delivering Beverage Base Components, or similar items? If yes, indicate which type of experience and whether government and/or commercial. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. The exact items that will be included in the MRE menus have not been finalized as of the issuance of this Sources Sought Notice. The items below are examples of the type of Beverage Base Components that may be included in a future acquisition. Please note that these items are subject to change and require a 3-year shelf life. For market research purposes, please indicate which of the following items your firm may be interested in supplying to DLA Troop Support:

____ BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, CRANBERRY GRAPE

NSN# 8960-01-631-1103

____ BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, LEMONADE

NSN# 8960-01-527-8377

____BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, ORANGE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND CALCIUM

NSN# 8960-01-584-8726

____BEVERAGE BASE, SWEETENED WITH NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, RASPBERRY

NSN# 8960-01-527-8378

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, FRUIT PUNCH

NSN# 8960-01-505-4234

____BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, GRAPE

NSN# 8960-01-505-4236

____BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, LEMON-LIME

NSN# 8960-01-505-4238

____BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ELECTROLYTE, ORANGE

NSN# 8960-01-505-4240

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH MALTODEXTRIN, LEMON-LIME

NSN# 8960-01-505-4238

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH MALTODEXTRIN, ORANGE

NSN# 8960-01-523-6344

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, FORTIFIED WITH ASCORBIC ACID AND ENHANCED WITH MALTODEXTRIN, TROPICAL PUNCH

NSN# 8960-01-523-6348

____CREAMER, NON-DAIRY, DRY, REGULAR

NSN# 8960-01-691-7254

____ FRUIT AND VEGETABLE BLEND JUICE SMOOTHIE POWDER, TROPICAL BLEND

NSN# 8960-01-691-7254

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ENHANCED WITH CAFFEINE, LEMON-LIME

NSN# 8960-01-613-1433

____ BEVERAGE POWDER, CARBOHYDRATE, ENHANCED WITH CAFFEINE, MIXED BERRY

NSN# 8960-01-729-6763

7. Are the materials for Beverage Base Components different from your normal production?

8. What are your capabilities for storing and delivering the above listed items?

Additional Comments/Concerns:

We encourage and appreciate your participation. Please respond via e-mail to Russell.J.Manuel@dla.mil.