National Wildland Firefighter Shelf Stable Food Boxes

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION for National Wildland Firefighter Shelf Stable Food Boxes Synopsis: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forest Service, interagency partners, and contractors must still effectively support wildland fire personnel during fire management activities while simultaneously minimizing personnel exposure to COVID-19. Providing quality nutrition to personnel is essential in supporting efforts to achieve mission objectives in wildfire management. The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research for planning purposes only regarding interested vendors/contractors who can provide wildland firefighter food boxes for the 2020 season, and maybe additional years. This will be a feeding option in addition to other options available to the wildland firefighter. The current goal of each food box is to provide shelf stable items (freeze dried, canned goods, pre-packaged items) packaged into 1 box. The food box dimensions 15” x 15” x 15”. The entirety of the boxed items are intended to feed 2 people for 3 days while assigned to a wildland fire incident. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government’s use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this RFI. Response to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided may be utilized by the US Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and corresponding Statement of Work. The information resulting from this RFI may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements, but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary. Primary Point of Contact: Tonya Campbell, Contracting Officer [email protected] Technical Point of Contact: Mary Fields [email protected] Joe Domitrovich [email protected] Generic Requirements: Vendor must have the ability to accept credit card payments. Production and delivery of 500 Food Boxes by July 1, 2020 with the potential to order more. Purchasing Guide for Items: Freeze-Dried (1) Entrees- 6 packages -At least three different types, two of the main meals must be vegetarian- (Mountain House, AlpineAire, Backpackers Pantry or equal) (2) Breakfasts – 4 packages - (Mountain House, AlpineAire, Backpackers Pantry or equal) (i)2 packages Breakfast Granola- Granola with milk and fruit (fruit varies based on brand) (ii)2 packages Hot Breakfast- various items include “skillets”, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs (3) Desserts- 2 packages – serving quantities will vary (Mountain House, AlpineAire, Backpackers Pantry or equal) Dehydrated (4) Dried Fruit – 2 packages – minimum of two packages for a total of no less than 20 oz dried fruit or 6 oz if freeze-dried. (Acceptable varieties include: apricots, apples, cherries, cranberries, dates, mango, mixed fruit, peaches, or equal) (5) Dried Meat- 2 packages – minimum of two packages for a total of no less than 20 oz dried or cured meat. (Acceptable varieties include: pepperoni sticks, salami, jerky -turkey, pork, beef) Canned or Pouched (6) Non-meat Protein – 4 cans or pouches – at least two different varieties of the following options: canned vegetarian chili or beans (14-19 oz), pouches of beans/lentils/curry (10 oz) or canned cheese ravioli/spaghetti (15 oz) (Brands include Nalley, Stagg, Tasty Bite, Maya Kaimal, Chef Boyardee, Progresso) (7) Soup- 2 cans – at least two different varieties of non-condensed “chunky” or “hearty” cans (14-19oz each) of soup. (Brand: Progresso, Campbells, or equal) (8) MRE Entrée - 2 pouches - MRE entrée pouch (8 oz), Can be replaced with 2 cans of soup that meet specification 7. (9) Fruit – 4 cans – at least two different varieties of canned (15.25 oz min.) fruit. Acceptable varieties include: fruit cocktail, applesauce, peaches, pears, or equal (Brands: Dole, Del Monte or equal) (10) Vegetables – 4 cans – at least two different varieties of canned (15.25 oz min.) vegetables. Acceptable varieties include corn, peas, carrots, medley, or equal. (Brands: Libby’s, Del Monte, or equal) (11) Animal Product- 6 cans – 30 oz total or greater- At least three varieties, one variety must be SPAM. Pouches are acceptable, as long as total final ounce weight equals 30 oz. Varieties include: chicken, tuna*, salmon, SPAM, oysters, sardines, or equal. (Brands: StarKist, Bumblebee, Chicken of the Sea, Kirkland, or equal) *Products must be canned/packed “in water”, not oil. (12) Other – 2 cans or pouches – Acceptable varieties include canned green chiles (4-5 oz), whole black olives (6oz), pickles (varies, not packaged in glass) (Brands: Ortega, Hatch, Old El Paso- Lindsay, Pearls- Mt. Olive, Van Holten’s, or equal) Other (13) Hot Sauce/Salsa - varies – include at least 8 oz salsa OR 10 packets (7g or larger) or equivalent of hot sauce (Brands: Tapatio, Tabasco, or equal brands of sauce or salsa) (14) Nuts/Trail Mix – 6 packages (1.6 oz each or greater) or at least 2 packages ( 9.6 oz total or greater ) – At least two varieties, and two bags of individually packaged nuts or trail mix (Acceptable varieties include: pistachios, peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds (shelled), trail mix, other) (15) Snack Bars/Candy (i) Snack bars- 6 bars - At least two different varieties, at least 150 calories per individual package – (Acceptable varieties include granola bars, protein bars, fruit and nut bars, fig bars, breakfast biscuits, other) (ii) Candy – 4 bars/packages – At least two different varieties of candy items (2oz each or greater) (16) Crackers – 4 sleeves, or 2 boxes equal to 13.8 oz total or greater - pretzels acceptable if two packages are provided, total ounce weight equals or is greater (17) Peanut Butter – 8 packets (1oz) – or at least two packages for a total of 8oz of greater (18) Jelly/Jam - 10 packets (.5 oz) - or at least 2 packages for a total of 5oz or greater (19) Instant Oatmeal – 8 packets- 1.51 oz or greater each (20) Tortillas – 2 packages – 1.85 oz package or greater, shelf stable tortillas, 2 tortillas per package. (Brands: MRE Star or equal) (21) Potatoes – 2 packages – 2.0 oz or greater, instant mashed potatoes (22) Rice/Grains – 1 package – 14 oz or greater “boil-in-bag" . Replacement with pouches of cooked quinoa or other grains also option, replace 1 bag boil-in-bag with two pouches of cooked grains (7-9 oz) (Brands: Success, Uncle Bens or equal - Alternatives: Ancient Harvest, Tasty Bite, or equal) (23) Noodles – 2 packages – 3 oz each, “instant” ramen or other noodle soup packets/cups To be packaged in resealable bag: (24) Hot Drink Mix – 6 packages – at least two varieties of hot beverage powder (Acceptable varieties include hot cocoa, spiced cider, black tea bags) (25) Instant Coffee – 24 “singles”– ( 3.3 gram, .06 oz each or similar), or two jars of instant coffee for a total of at least 4 oz (Brands: Folgers, Starbucks, Medaglia d’Oro, or equal) (26) Electrolyte/Sports Beverage – 6 servings – powdered or tablet, at least 100 mg sodium per serving (Brands: Gatorade, or equal) Accessories (1) Resealable Bags – 2 quart bags and 2 gallon bags (intended for packaging loose food and drink items) (2) Paper bowls – 12 each – standard “moisture resistant” (3) Paper cups? - Hot Beverage Safe (4) Hot Water Cook Can- 4 qt pots, aluminum. 5.5" high, 8" wide. with lid To be packaged in a gallon size resealable bag (5) Can Opener – 1 can opener – P-38 or P-51 (6) Dining Packet – 2 packets - In-Flight Dining Packet Type III (7) Aluminum Foil - 4 lineal feet – heavy duty (8) Heavy Duty Trash Bag – 2 bags (9) Fingerbowl Moist Towelettes – 18 individually wrapped towelettes (10) Bath-in-a-Bag – 2 “baths” per box Vendors/contractors who respond to this Request for Information (RFI), are requested to provide all the following information, in writing, in response to this announcement and in accordance with the directions below: Company name. Company mailing address. Company Point of Contact (One person’s name, telephone number and e-mail address). Company’s size standard (ie. Large, Small, Veteran Owned, etc.) based on NAICS code 492210-Grocery delivery services - Size Standard $30.0 Million. Minimum/maximum order you would accept. Lead time to needed to prepare boxes after receipt of order Provide additional feedback that you believe would help us in finalizing this specification. Additionally, all interested vendors/contractors shall also provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM)/Price that includes the following: PRICE ESTIMATES TO INCLUDE: Price of Food Box Production (not including delivery). Price of Food Box Production including delivery. Delivery charge to multiple FS locations. Price discounts for additional food box orders. PROVIDE ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS RFI THAT WILL ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ADJUSTING THE CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR A FOLLOW-ON SOLICITATION Submittal of Information: The information requested by this RFI shall be provided, in writing, by close of business (4:30 p.m. Mountain Time) May 12 to the following address. National Interagency Fire Center U.S. Forest Service – Contracting Attn: Tonya Campbell Owyhee Building – MS 1100 3833 S. Development Ave. Boise, ID 83705 The U.S. Forest Service intends to utilize the RFI responses/information to assist with the development of a solicitation for a food box RFP. At the present time, the U.S. Forest Service anticipates posting a solicitation for up to 500 food boxes to the Beta.SAM website (Beta.SAM.gov) in May 2020. The current plan to start performance for the anticipated procurement is June 2020.