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SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide a flow through beverage c... SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide a flow through beverage concentrate delivery device. The device must connect to tubing from a backpack carried hydration bladder (MOLLE hydration system) or outlet of a water bottle to deliver a fully mixed beverage to the individual user. This capability would reduce combat ration waste and enable individual nutrition delivery with minimal logistical burden. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to donna.m.glowka.civ@army.mil, lauren.j.oconnor2.civ@army.mil, and michael.s.wiederoder.civ@army.mil by March 10, 2022 by 12:00 p.m. EST. Background: The DEVCOM Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Division is seeking novel technologies to deliver beverage concentrates to individual Warfighters on the go. The consumption rate of ration beverages is relatively low leading to product waste and incomplete delivery of nutrition from ration products. As an example, during a recent operational test there was a rejection rate of 52-89% for beverage ration components. One reason given for the low acceptance rate was the logistical burden of consuming fielded beverages. Current concentrates are delivered primarily via individual beverage pouches that require a user to add water, mix, and then consume from the pouch. This creates a logistical burden that can cause low consumption rates and excess waste. Less frequently, individually packaged concentrates are provided that must be added to and mixed in a secondary container. Adding a beverage concentrate directly into a backpack carried hydration bladder (MOLLE Hydration System), or other vessel primarily used for drinking water can cause microbial contamination over time and introduce off-flavors into drinking water. Description: The DEVCOM Soldier Center is seeking technologies to increase beverage consumption rates by reducing logistical burden of current methods. These technologies should allow delivery of beverage concentrates such as powders and/or syrups in-line with tubing from the MOLLE Hydration System or integrate into the cap of a water bottle. The technology should incorporate hygienic design to minimize fouling/contamination and deliver a mixed beverage product to the user that has acceptable sensory characteristics. This is a solicitation for information related only to beverage delivery devices, not beverage concentrates (unless concentrates are part of whole system). Specifications: Performance criteria for the beverage delivery device include: Compatible with at least 1 low volume and weight beverage concentrate formulation such as powders, dissolvable tablets and/or syrup concentrates Low SWaP (size, weight, and power) for continuous use up to 7 days Lightweight - less than 1 lb. with full beverage concentrate packet attached Operate continuously for 7 days without new batteries (batteries must be commercially available) Size – components less than 12” in height, width, and depth Minimal contamination risk – disposable components or easily cleaned/sanitized in field Operate in diverse environmental conditions (0-45 °C, 0-100% RH) Desirable characteristics for the beverage delivery device include: Low waste generation to reduce logistical burden Delivery of mixed beverage with consistent sensory properties over time. Delivered beverage should have high sensory scores on nine-point hedonic scale. Human factors test data Deliverables: Interested sources should provide information on their technologies/products and how they might address the subject military needs described in this RFI. Information should include descriptions of firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Information should also include estimated product costs, technical information (i.e., technical literature, data and illustrations, photographs, patents), relevant company background/experience, and samples/devices (optional). Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought Announcement does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the System for Award Management Website (SAM.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending informational responses regarding this requirement to CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to donna.m.glowka.civ@army.mil, lauren.j.oconnor2.civ@army.mil and michael.s.wiederoder.civ@army.mil no later than March 10, 2022 by 12:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Parties interested in submitting samples/devices should send them to: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center Attn: Michael Wiederoder and Lauren O’Connor Bldg 36, 10 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA 01760 Any samples/devices submitted will not be returned. If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the Government for such samples. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to donna.m.glowka.civ@army.mil, lauren.j.oconnor2.civ@army.mil and michael.s.wiederoder.civ@army.mil, no later than March 5, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.