FOOD SANITATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE TECHNICIAN
INTRODUCTION
The US Army Natick Research Engineering and Development Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Massachusetts is issuing this Sources Sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources that have the ability to provide maintenance and food sanitation services for our pilot plant food laboratory and food production facility. The food sanitation and maintenance technician requirements being sought can be found in the ‘Required Capabilities' section of this sources sought.
The results of this market research will be used to determine the method of procurement (if and when a requirement for food sanitation and maintenance technician arises). The intent of this sources sought notice/market research, is for this requirement to be set-aside for a small business. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.
THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
A need exists to provide an experienced technician to support day to day operations of the Combat Feeding Directorate's (CFD) Food Pilot Plant and Navy Laboratory. Research and development of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable ration components requires a clean, sanitary workplace to effectively and safely conduct mission critical work and reliable operation of mission unique equipment is essential to meeting program objectives.
The primary responsibilities being sought are maintenance and sanitation of pilot plant and navy lab infrastructure and equipment to ensure optimal functionality and food safety are maintained. Additionally, working knowledge of cleaning and sanitation procedures and techniques for food contact and non-food contact surfaces as outlined in the 2013 FDA Food Code and 2013 FDA Food Code Supplement is required to ensure a safe food production environment is maintained.
A working knowledge and experience in the following areas are sought to meet programmatic goals: standard food safety practices, operation of basic food analysis equipment, maintenance and sanitation protocols for food contact and non-food contact surfaces, maintenance and assembly/disassembly of pilot scale research and development food production equipment and proper food handling protocols. Certification from an accredited food service agency is a requirement (i.e. Servsafe Certification: Sponsored by The National Restaurant Association). Additional requirements include assisting food technologists with various food productions runs by setting up equipment, batching ingredients, hands-on production assistance, and breakdown and cleaning/sanitation of all equipment. The primary place of performance for this work will be at the US Army NSRDEC facilities in Building 36.
REQUIRED CAPABILITIES
The government requires food sanitation and maintenance of our research and development production facilities to ensure the food pilot plant and its assets are properly cleaned, sanitized and maintained. Pilot plant maintenance includes proper understanding of food processing equipment, food sanitation and handling, food safety, inventory control, food analysis, flexible packaging, and standard maintenance of high pressure boiler. The intent of this Sources Sought is to assess the capability of interested small businesses to provide Food Sanitation and Maintenance services and offer the specific services described below as part the agreement. Only one award is sought to cover the service and maintenance agreement requested. Capabilities sought are:
General Requirements:
(1) Ensure food processing assets in CFD's Pilot Plant are clean and sanitary and in top working condition on a daily basis.
(2) Assist food technologists with prototype ration development and in-house ration production runs.
(3) Breakdown, clean and reassembly food processing equipment to ensure proper sanitation, functionality and aesthetics are maintained.
(4) Valid food handler's certification from an accredited institution for the length of service (i.e. Servsafe).
Specific Requirements:
(1) Perform basic food analysis on ration prototypes to include: water activity, pH, moisture, colorimetry, and viscometry.
(2) Experience operating food production equipment to include (but not limiting) single and co-extruding bar formers, piston and auger fillers, transport pumps, steam-jacketed kettles, mixers, dough sheeters, grinders, comminutors) and well versed in set-up/break-down and sanitation/maintenance of all equipment.
(3) Have experience with packaging ration products and ingredients in tri-laminate and quad-laminate flexible pre-formed pouches (ambient and vacuum packaging) to achieve hermetic/vacuum sealed prototype packages.
(4) Assist equipment specialist with daily and/or weekly maintenance schedule for mission critical equipment assets: environmental chambers, refrigeration, freezer, HVAC systems, high pressure steam equipment and boilers.
(5) Compile/generate inventory lists for pilot plant chemicals, paper goods and various consumables and maintain compliance with safety data sheet (SDS) requirements and place orders for replenishment with lab manager in a timely manner.
(6) Maintain high pressure boilers to include: following daily blowdown procedures, sight glass replacement, steam trap maintenance, and working knowledge of pipe fitting and basic electrical wiring.
Interested businesses must address ALL of the specific requirements below and clearly indicate if each requirement could be met under a Food Sanitation and Maintenance Service technician agreement.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD SANITATION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS:
1. Ensure food processing assets in food lab are clean and sanitary and in top working condition on a daily basis.
2. Assist food technologists with prototype ration development and in-house ration production runs.
3. Breakdown, clean and reassembly food processing equipment to ensure proper sanitation, functionality and aesthetics are maintained.
4. Valid food handler's certification from an accredited institution for the length of service (i.e. Servsafe).
5. Perform basic food analysis on ration prototypes to include: water activity, pH, moisture, colorimetry, and viscometry.
6. Experience operating food production equipment to include (but not limiting) single and co-extruding bar formers, piston and auger fillers, transport pumps, steam-jacketed kettles, mixers, dough sheeters, grinders, comminutors) and well versed in set-up/break-down and sanitation/maintenance of all equipment.
7. Have experience with packaging ration products and ingredients in tri-laminate and quad-laminate flexible pre-formed pouches (ambient and vacuum packaging) to achieve hermetic/vacuum sealed prototype packages.
8. Assist equipment specialist with daily and/or weekly maintenance schedule for mission critical equipment assets: environmental chambers, refrigeration, freezer, HVAC systems, high pressure steam equipment and boilers.
9. Compile/generate inventory lists for pilot plant chemicals, paper goods and various consumables and maintain compliance with safety data sheet (SDS) requirements and place orders for replenishment with lab manager in a timely manner.
10. Maintain high pressure boilers to include: following daily blowdown procedures, sight glass replacement, steam trap maintenance, and working knowledge of pipe fitting and basic electrical wiring.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than ten 8.5 x 11 inch pages, font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating ability to provide the services listed in the Required Capabilities section.
If your organization has the potential to provide the required services, please provide the following information:
1) Organization name, Address, Primary Points of Contact (POCs) email, FAX#, Website Address, Telephone Number, and Type of Ownership for the Organization.
2) Tailored Capability Statements Addressing the Requirements of the notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capabilities, provide an estimate of anticipated subcontractor efforts.
3) Name of company and point of contact, telephone number, address and email of POC, business size (i.e. large business, small business, SBA certified HUBZone Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, Woman-Owned Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) and proposed NAICS code if different than 811310.
All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside of the Government.
Your response to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to Sarach Cheney in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format PDF), no later than 12:00 p.m (EST) on 23 January 2017 and reference this synopsis number in the subject line of e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.
Send to: Sarah Cheney
sarah.l.cheney.civ@mail.mil
Darlene L. Rideout, Phone 5082334112, Email darlene.l.rideout.civ@mail.mil
