SAM #SPE30026INGREDIENTREVIEWPROCESS

RFI: Non-imminent Ingredient Review Process for Department of War Food Procurement

This opportunity is a Request for Information (RFI) from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support regarding the process for reviewing and potentially restricting or removing food ingredients in Department of War (DoW) dining facilities. - The RFI seeks industry feedback on a proposed process for handling non-imminent safety concerns related to food ingredients - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities are being requested - The focus is on improving the nutritional quality of food served to military personnel - DLA Troop Support is the purchasing agent for food ingredients, but this RFI is for market research only - No procurement or solicitation for goods or services is included at this stage - Comments and justifications are requested on the process flow chart and information paper provided - No OEMs or vendors are specified, as this is a process-focused inquiry - The contracting office is located at DLA Troop Support, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA - This is not an award or a contract opportunity, but a request for industry input

Description

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued to garner industry input, perspective, and insight on the proposed Department of War (DoW) Non-imminent Ingredient Review Process.

This paper provides a detailed explanation of the process map for restricting or removing a food ingredient from use within the DoW. The purpose of this process is to foster collaboration between internal and external stakeholders and careful consideration of proposed restriction or removal of food ingredients within the DoW.  This process is not for imminent safety concerns. Concerns of food safety (contamination, adulteration, allergen), regulatory non-compliance, and/or recalls/outbreaks are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Department of Defense (DoD) Nutrition Committee reports to the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness and is chaired by the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs. It is the responsibility of the DoD Nutrition Committee to coordinate policies, procedures, and processes to optimize the DoW food environment. The DoD Nutrition Committee also provides specific recommendations related to improving the nutritional fitness and well-being of Service members through the Joint Subsistence Policy Board (JSPB).

The JSPB's goals are to align DoW food service policy guidance with input from the DoD Nutrition Committee to ensure the food served in the military dining facilities, including aboard ships, is wholesome and sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the warfighter. The Go for Green® Program, a performance-nutrition initiative in dining facilities to prompt better food selections, is a core component for identifying the standard for ingredients procured to support recipes and menus for the Military Services. The JSPB communicates nutrition requirements to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, which acts on behalf of the Services to purchase the food used in the dining facilities.

If interested, see ATTACHMENT 1- Non-imminent Ingredient Flow Chart and ATTACHMENT 2- Non-imminent Ingredient Review Process Information Paper. These documents provide detailed explanations of the process for restricting or removing a food ingredient from use within the DoW.

Responses to the following questions would be particularly helpful:

Provide any comments along with justifications on the proposed process flow chart and the information paper explaining the process flow. 

Please note, this RFI is for market research purposes only and is not a part of a source selection process. This is not a solicitation. This RFI does not constitute a commitment of any kind from the Government. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. Any information provided in response to this market research will be used for informational purposes only. Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked. Vendor participation is not a promise for future business with the Government.

Please provide your response to this RFI via e-mail to IngredientsRFI@dla.mil no later than COB on Monday, May 4, 2026

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