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 groceries/food products for the Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD). It is required that vendors are local to the installation (store/distribution center within 75 miles of Natick, Massachusetts 01760) in order to facilitate on-demand pickup or expedited delivery in support of product development activities. The specific requirements can be found in the ‘Required Capabilities' section of this sources sought. The results of this market research will used to determine procurement methods, if and when a requirement for laboratory supplies, chemicals, and reagents arises. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. DISCLAIMER 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 OBLIGHATION 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 The mission of the Combat Feeding Directorate is to perform research and development in order to ensure that America's Warfighters are the best fed in the world. The research and development performed in the directorate involves the need for food products, including fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and shelf stable items. Small quantity grocery and ingredient items from local vendors are required for planned project use or for immediate/urgent need supporting product development, product evaluation, or limited production runs. Half of the directorate is involved with product development, product evaluation, or limited production runs. The delivery location will be the US Army NSRDEC in Natick, Massachusetts, building 36. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES The government requires groceries in order to complete product development, product evaluation, or limited production runs. The intent of this Sources Sought is to assess the capability of interested local, businesses to provide groceries/food products/ingredients. Specific requirements include fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and shelf stable items available within a 75 mile radius of Natick, Massachusetts 01760. ELIGIBILITY Food/Grocery Retailers and Wholesalers The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is: 445110 Supermarkets/Other Grocery Stores SUBMISSION DETAILS Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than one 8.5 x 11 inch page, font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating ability to provide the requirement listed in the Required Capabilities section. Your response to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist, Michael Quinlan (
[email protected]), in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email no later than 12:00 p.m (EST) on 11 February 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. 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. 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.