Alternative Protein Technologies for Military Field Feeding
Updated
Sources Sought from the Department of the Army, for work in Massachusetts. Due Nov 23, 2026, 5:00 PM (UTC-5), 34 days left.
| Solicitation number | W911QY27ALTPROTEINS |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Army |
| Office | W6QK Acc-Apg Natick |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714) |
| Product or service code | AJ13 |
| Place of performance | Massachusetts |
| Posted | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 23, 2026, 5:00 PM (UTC-5) (34 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
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 innovative product development research and/or consumer research and/or demonstration food samples in the area of alternative proteins. Responses are limited to Massachusetts based offerors as determined by CAGE code.
The Government requests responders submit a Broad Agency Announcement BAA preproposal as outlined in DEVCOM-SC BAA W911QY-25-R-0023 located at: sam.gov/opp/a5ec94e2baee40df995...
Please refer to Section VI - Scientific and Technical Areas of Interest, A. Combat Ration Research and Development. Submit the BAA preproposal to: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] by 23 November 2026, 5:00 PM EST. OBJECTIVE: DEVCOM-SC seeks product development, consumer research, and food sample demonstrations of current and emerging novel alternative protein technologies that could be integrated into military rations.
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC), Combat Feeding Division (CFD), is seeking information from industry and academia on capabilities related to alternative proteins. The U.S. Army is exploring how the emerging alternative-protein sector can help meet several objectives, including enhancing food supply chain resilience, enabling biomanufacturing of foodstuffs in combat-forward environments, and providing tailored, high-quality nutrition to the Warfighter.
DEVCOM-SC CFD has unique expertise in the development and assessment of shelf-stable ration components, as well as food safety and palatability for the Joint Warfighter. We are looking to partner with the commercial and academic sectors to advance technology development in this area. AREAS OF INTEREST: DEVCOM-SC is seeking information from offerors that can provide capabilities in one or more of the following areas.
Work proposed should be to advance technology between TRL 4 and 6. Please note, for the purposes of this Sources Sought, we are specifically excluding solutions related to cell-cultured, lab-grown meat or insect protein. Innovative technologies for alternative protein development to reduce Soldier load: Seeking advanced technologies and processes involved in fermentation, precision fermentation, or other novel biomanufacturing methods, that enhance the production of alternative proteins where additional funding in specific components of the research would significantly accelerate advancements in technology between TRL 4 and 6, enabling faster transition to operational use.
These technologies should focus on creating lightweight and nutrient-dense ration solutions to reduce logistical burdens and physical load on warfighters while maintaining or enhancing nutritional value and operational performance. Innovative Product Development: The development of innovative meat-alternative products specifically designed for inclusion in military rations, meeting stringent requirements for nutrition, shelf stability, and palatability.
Consumer Research and Acceptability: The ability to conduct comprehensive consumer research (e.g., focus groups, sensory panels, field testing) to enhance the acceptability and consumption of alternative proteins within a military population. Food Sample Demonstration: An optional addition to the effort would be to provide 100 food samples of a potential product that has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status with an FDA no-questions letter to demonstrate the maturation of an alternative protein manufacturing technology.
These samples would be provided to the Government for sensory acceptability and other performance characteristics and will be consumed by our test panel of experts. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested parties (companies or academic institutions) are requested to submit a proposal that details their capabilities in one or more of the areas listed in Section 3.0. Submissions should include: A detailed description of your technical approach.
Relevant past performance or corporate experience. A rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the proposed work or samples. This information will be used for market research and planning purposes.
Responses to this Sources Sought are not binding proposals, but they will help shape future solicitation requirements. Offerors are welcome to send samples at their own cost for evaluation. DEVCOM SC will not return any items, nor is DEVCOM SC obligated to share any data from evaluation.
Sending samples is not required for consideration for funding. Samples must be GRAS with an FDA no-questions letter. Please coordinate by e-mail ([email protected]) before sending samples.
Address information will be provided at that time. 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 part
The description continues in the official notice.
Contracting contact
- Dr. Richard Green · [email protected]
- Dr. Michael Weideroder · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541714, a business counts as small if it has no more than 1,000 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for research and development in biotechnology work, who also hold Army contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- L3 Technologies, Inc. $117.5 million in this trade
- Battelle Memorial Institute $27.0 million in this trade
- Trustees Of Boston University $10.9 million in this trade
- Fisher Bioservices Inc $10.8 million in this trade
- Applied Research Associates, Inc. $10.6 million in this trade
About the buyer
The Department of the Army awarded $83.1 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company and The Boeing Company. See what Army is buying now.
Research and Development in Biotechnology contracts right now
There are 38 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541714), 7 posted in the last 7 days; 47% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are National Institutes of Health, Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in District of Columbia, New Mexico and Maryland. A notice in this trade gives a median of 72 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 35 days.
All open research and development in biotechnology contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
- Red Duke Strategies LLC $1.5 million · Department of Veterans Affairs · Sep 23, 2026
- Reagan-Udall Foundation For The Food And Drug Administration, Inc. $1.2 million · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) · Sep 14, 2026
From the award notices agencies publish.