Modeling and Simulation for Development of Group Serving Pouch (GSP)

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) to identify potential sources to provide information to develop and validate a modeling system and conduct simulations to determine parameters for successful development of a group serving pouch that is able to withstand the rigors of storage, transport and use in military field operation scenarios.

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to Danielle Froio Blumsack; Danielle.l.froio-blumsack.civ@army.milby 5:00 p.m., 6/27/2024

Description: DEVCOM-SC is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) on technologies or capabilities to develop and validate a model and conduct subsequent simulations to determine parameters for development of a group serving pouch (GSP) that can meet shelf life and durability requirements of military rations. The GSP is a flexible pouch that is being used to replace #10 tin cans that are currently utilized in Group Rations.  Canned vegetables, such as corn, peas and green beans, are the primary food items that will be packed in the GSP.  Experimental data provided by DEVCOM Soldier center will be used to validate the model.  The modeling and simulation will encompass a focused effort to understand the fluid flow dynamics, specific materials and overall pouch design required to develop a GSP that meets performance requirements. Theoretical data from modeling simulations will be used to identify requirements for pouch material (stiffness, elongation, etc.), pouch performance (seal strength, internal pressure), and pouch design (radius of corners, pouch size, etc.). 

Specific Specifications: 

• Model capable of simulating drop testing, in accordance with ASTM D5273 - Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall , for a Group Serving Pouch packed in a shipping container with additional food and meal related items (i.e. cans, pouches, servingware)
• Model capable of simulating the protective affects of a corrugated shipping container, partitions and other secondary packaging
• Model capable of varying temperature of drop simulations (70-120F)
• Model capable of varying pouch dimensions and design
• Model capable of varying packaging configurations
• Focus on lightweight designs and structures, such as reinforced flexible laminated film structure
• Use of computational fluid dynamics to analyze and predict liquid motion within the GSP
• Evaluation of alternative material compositions

Deliverables:

All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files.

1. Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt.  Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover.

1. 1. This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address).
   2. The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who.   Example focus areas:
      1. Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that currently meet or will be able to meet the enclosed requirements.
      2. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that may be able to meet or exceed the requirements.
      3. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government.
   3. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution.
   4. For Foreign companies:  Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e., US subsidiary or partner) if required.
   5. Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, test data, etc. 

1. Test, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation:

Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating safety certification, government approval, test data, etc. 

1. Cost.

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the beta.SAM.gov website.  It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

RESPONSES:
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM-SC via e-mailONLY to Danielle Froio Blumsack; Danielle.j.froio-blumsack.civ@army.mil no later than 5:00 p.m., 6/27/2024. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.

Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.

QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to DEVCOM-SC via Danielle.j.froio-blumsack.civ@army.milor donna.m.glowka.civ@army.mil no later than 5:00 p.m., 6/27/2024. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.