Performance Work Statement Prototype phage hygiene spray bottles

PWS_Prototype phage hygiene spray bottles final (10-23-26)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Project Title: Procurement of prototype phage hygiene spray bottles

A. Introduction / Background

Project seeks to design and test spray formulation suitable for phage hygiene products that maintain activity under extreme thermal conditions. Once a spray formula is identified and passes all necessary testing, prototype spray devices will be assembled for testing. Soldier Center has identified a phage cocktail (PhageShield, supplied by Intralytix) having suitable activity and stability in lab-based solutions and is testing potential formulation components used for topical skin applications for maintenance of titer and stability. Various components include phage storage buffer solutions, preservatives, potentiators, emollients, humectants and other additives utilized cosmetic products. This request for sole source justification is for a contract with Desert in Bloom (DiB) to conduct the development, safety testing, and production of custom prototype bacteriophage hygiene sprays designed for intimate skin applications to target UTI-causing E. coli. Market research confirms that DiB is the only source capable of meeting these strict technical and safety requirements without causing extreme project delays and duplicated costs. Standard topical cosmetic manufacturers lack the biological expertise to handle live phages, while traditional phage laboratories do not possess the cosmetic-adjacent formulation infrastructure for sensitive skin areas. DiB has previous experience working with phage for cosmetic products, including making prototypes and formulation development for thermal stability needed for product storage at elevated temperatures that meet cosmetic regulatory requirements.
"In accordance with FAR 37.104(a), this requirement does not constitute a personal services contract as it does not create an employer-employee relationship. All tasks will be executed independently by the contractor, and the Government will not exercise direct supervision or control over contractor personnel.”

B. Objectives

DEVCOM Soldier Center (SC) is requesting Desert in Bloom (DiB) to design, develop and test a phage friendly formulation for prototype cosmetic phage hygiene sprays. Phage formulation properties will include maintenance of thermal stability and possess suitable properties for manufacture of prototype cosmetic products (Table 1). Components must not inhibit or otherwise reduce phage titer during storage,