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SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) to identify potential sources to provide a standardized, in vitro digestion method for Meal, Ready-to-Eat rations, followed by batch fermentation of digestates, and characterization of the microbial community in response to the different ration types. The Government requests responders submit a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA preproposal as outlined in DEVCOM-SC BAA W911QY-25-R-0023 located at: https://sam.gov/opp/a5ec94e2baee40df9951f864a8665e71/view Please refer to Section VI - Scientific and Technical Areas of Interest, A. Combat Ration Research and Development. Submit the BAA preproposal to: gregory.j.weber19.civ@army.mil and jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil by 4 June 2026, 5 PM EDT. Objective: DEVCOM-SC is seeking information on technologies or capabilities to provide a highly specific in vitro digestion method that simulates the physiochemical processes of human gastric digestion with subsequent batch fermentations on digestates using relevant gut microbial communities. Further, additional characterization of microbial communities, utilizing targeted or genomic methods, is desired. DEVCOM-SC scientists will provide different types of military ration components to be used as the initial input for the digestions, fermentations. Background: The U.S. Armed Services Meal, Ready-to-Eat™ (MRETM) food ration is comprised of commercially sterile, ready-to-eat foods that are required to be shelf-stable for at least three years. Meeting those requirements while maintaining a nutritious and safe product requires the use of various food processing techniques including high-heat thermal processing known as retort. While the retort process ensures sterility and long-term shelf-stability, high-heat thermal processing and long-term storage can both decrease protein digestibility. As undigested peptides and amino acids are metabolized by the gut microbiota, these bioaccessibility and bioactivity may also provide insight into factors underpinning changes in gut microbiota composition. Requirements: The purpose of this announcement is to request preproposals on technologies or capabilities providing an integrated approach to simulate the gastrointestinal tract with a focus on the gastric phase and subsequent downstream fermentation processes. Respondents should demonstrate capability to address one or more of the following requirement areas: 1) physiologically relevant in vitro digestion methodology capable of accommodating various processed military rations, 2) bioreactor system or comparable technology capable of conducting batch fermentations on digestates on a scale that allows for delivery of fermentates back to Soldier Center scientists for additional analyses, and 3) characterization of microbial community changes due to different ration products being evaluated by performer. Interested parties are invited to sub…

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