This BAA seeks proposals for R&D projects that address the challenges of Subsistence logistics in contested environments, with a focus on Class I (Subsistence Supply Chain) support for DLA. The program solicitation is built on three acquisition and logistics pillars:
1. Agile & Predictive Acquisition: This pillar focuses on what and how DLA procures subsistence for contested environments. It moves beyond standard items to develop rapid acquisition pathways for innovative commercial solutions, such as nutritionally optimized, vacuum-sealed, freeze-dried, and/or ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed rations with shelf lives exceeding 5-7 years. The goal is to create a diversified, pre-qualified vendor base ready to supply these specialized items on demand.
2. Smart Packaging & Strategic Pre-Positioning: This pillar concentrates on the "materiel" aspect of the solution. R&D efforts will focus on acquiring and co-developing next-generation packaging that is not only durable but also intelligent. This includes packaging with embedded real-time tracking capability, environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, shock), chemical indicators that provide real-time data on the viability, safety, and quality of the food items, and innovative solutions to prolong shelf-life. This allows DLA to confidently "push" and pre-position critical subsistence in strategic, potentially austere locations for extended periods.
3. Autonomous & Resilient Distribution: This pillar addresses the "last tactical mile" of logistics in an AD/A2 environment. The initiative will fund the development and integration of logistics systems for moving pre-positioned Class I assets from secure caches to dispersed units using autonomous platforms (e.g., unmanned ground vehicles, cargo drones). This reduces the risk to human-crewed convoys and ensures supplies can reach the Warfighter even when direct access is contested.
Other areas of interest include, but are not limited to Class I (Subsistence) Supply Chain innovations in:
- Combat Rations: Innovations in individual or group rations, including packaged, pre-cooked, shelf-stable food items or unitized group modules (18 or 50 person). Teaming with combat rations assemblers (e.g., AmeriQual, Baxters, Sopakco) is encouraged but not required.
- Food Equipment: Technology-based solutions improving energy efficiency, mobility, maintainability, or usability of field feeding equipment.
- Field Feeding Solutions: Systems to enhance efficiencies and reduce production and transportation lead times for feeding troops in training or combat.
- Food Footprint/Circular Economy: Solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food production, processing, transportation, storage, cooking, and disposal, including waste reduction, storage optimization, and lowering costs.
- Food Innovations: Incremental or disruptive changes to food production or products, focused on existing fielded rations. New products/technologies require collaboration with U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD) as directed by the SUBNET Program Manager.
- Food Safety and Defense: Risk assessment, prevention, and monitoring to protect the food supply from incidental or intentional contamination. These efforts are often conducted in collaboration with entities like the U.S. Army Public Health Center and CFD to ensure robust and reliable solutions.
- Garrison Feeding: Improvements to food service at permanent military installations.
- Nutrition and Health: Advancements increasing nutritional value and accessibility of healthy food options for troops in field or garrison settings.
- Storage and Packaging Solutions: Improvements in materials or packaging to extend shelf life or enhance food quality.
- Surge and Sustainment Support: Innovations in production to increase output and support Warfighters during surge events.
- Water Security: Technology innovations in bottled water or hydration alternatives.
- Subsistence Supplies Condition Monitoring During Shipments: Solutions for monitoring conditions during transport, potentially involving participation in the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 program.
- Smart Packaging Technologies: Development of intelligent packaging with embedded sensors or IoT-enabled devices to monitor food quality, freshness, and safety in real-time during storage and transport, enhancing traceability and reducing spoilage.
- Sustainable Food Production: Research into eco-friendly production methods, such as vertical farming, plant-based protein alternatives, or lab-grown nutrients, to reduce environmental impact and ensure sustainable sourcing for military rations.
- Autonomous Supply Chain Logistics: Integration of autonomous vehicles, drones, or robotic systems for last-mile delivery of subsistence supplies to remote or contested areas, improving speed and reducing logistical risks.
- Additive Manufacturing for Food: Exploration of 3D food printing technologies to produce customized, nutrient-dense rations on-demand in field environments, reducing logistical footprints and enabling tailored nutrition.
- AI-Driven Supply Chain Optimization: Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict demand, optimize inventory, and streamline distribution processes in the subsistence supply chain, enhancing responsiveness and efficiency.
- Robotics and Automation: a) Applying robotics to the complex task of assembling individual and group rations, such as MREs and Unitized Group Rations (UGRs) to enhance speed, accuracy, and safety in the ration assembly process, b) Innovating the production of military operational rations by integrating advanced automation and robotics, c) Integrating automation into both field and garrison feeding operations to improve efficiency, reduce labor intensity, and enhance safety.
- Circular Economy Concepts: Aims to reduce the environmental impact of the subsistence supply chain. Research is directed at solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire lifecycle of food from production and processing to disposal. This includes minimizing waste, optimizing storage to prevent spoilage, and lowering costs.
- Additional Topics: Emerging or innovative research efforts not listed but fulfilling SUBNET objectives, with a clear statement describing the proposed area.
