SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Preparation of Custom Tyrosine Nanoemulsion Powders for the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Combat Feeding Directorate
- Notice Date
- 5/14/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY-13-Q-CFD2
- Response Due
- 5/24/2013
- Archive Date
- 7/13/2013
- Point of Contact
- Darlene Rideout, (508) 233-6134
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Natick (SPS)
(darlene.l.rideout.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Background: The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Combat Feeding Directorate, is actively researching nanotechnology concepts for enhancing absorption of bioactives and Nutraceuticals when consumed in fortified ration components. Spray-dried nanoemulsions containing bioactives will also reduce the need for adding excessive concentrations of bioactives [which usually impact flavor and texture] in order to assure adequate absorption. Requirements: The NSRDEC is seeking interested vendors to prepare custom tyrosine nanoemulsion powders. One of the nanotechnology concepts for enhancing absorption is a microfluidized nanoemulsion, which is then spray-dried into a powder. To achieve our objectives, tyrosine nanoemulsion powder is required; to conduct research to determine properties, evaluate suitability of ration carriers and to conduct a concept field test. This effort is integrated with strategies to assess performance decrements and their relationship to nutrition. One of the objectives for FY13 is to test selected ration components fortified with nanoemulsion powders. A concept field test cannot be scheduled until fortified ration components are produced and production of fortified ration components cannot commence until tyrosine nanoemulsion powders are received. The tyrosine nanoemulsion powders needs to be acquired as soon as possible (NLT 5 Aug 2013) so that ration component production and concept field test can be conducted. The timeframe for period of performance would be approximately 5-10 days. Nanoemulsion ingredients and protocols would be provided by the government. Some pre-batch trials with quality control testing would be required by the perspective contractor to assure product meets requirements. Qualifications: Qualified vendors shall be certified to produce food grade materials. They should have a bench top and food grade pilot plant or an appropriate sized [for trials and production] food grade microfluidizer which meet the following operating requirements; pressure of 25-28K psi, a flow rate of 50-300ml/min, at least a 2 liter product inlet reservoir on pilot plant processor and cooling capacity for producing a nanoemulsion which is stable and with a particle size range of less than 80 and not greater that 120nm. Vendor shall have a Malvern Zetasizer nano (or approved equivalent) to measure particle size and to assess stability and maximum tyrosine load. Nanoemulsions usually require addition of approximately 50% maltodextrin prior to spray drying. Vendor shall also have a centrifugal spray drier for processing small volumes such as ~2-5 liters, with a feeding rate of 2ml/min and temperature ranges for 155oC at inlet and 60oC at outlet. Vendor should have past experience working with nanoemulsions and be capable to make equipment adjustments (or other) to meet final product requirements. Approximately 17-20 Liters of tyrosine nanoemulsion would be required to produce a final ~10,000g batch size of spray dried tyrosine nanoemulsion powder. SOURCES SOUGHT: Interested respondents with the experience and qualifications of assessing quality of nanoemulsions based on stability, particle size and assessing maximum tyrosine load and the capability to perform the effort specified above are encouraged to respond to this notice. This is NOT a request for quotes but parties interested in responding are encouraged to furnish in writing, no more than a 2 page (not including cover page) synopsis of their capability to accomplish the described work effort. Candidates responding to this notice must also provide complete contact information (telephone, address, email address), as well as business size. Please also include information regarding any prior experience with US Government contracts. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) for this is notice is 541712, Other Research and Development in Physical Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology) with a size standard of 500 employees. Interested parties shall indicate their size status based on the size standard of 500 employees. For any anticipated subcontractors, provide an estimate of the percentage of subcontractor efforts anticipated. The Government will retain comments and information received in response to this notice. Proprietary information should be identified as Company Proprietary. Any information provided to the U.S. Government in response to this sources sought notice is for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for any information solicited. No solicitation document exists nor is a solicitation guaranteed to be issued as a result of this notice. All written responses to this notice must be received by close of business on 24 May 2013. Please address responses to Dr. Karen Conca at karen.r.conca.civ@mail.mil.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/502ab7b79c797fc12749518c9754d9f9)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Natick (SPS) ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN03062024-W 20130516/130514235253-502ab7b79c797fc12749518c9754d9f9 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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