Insulated Food Container – Improved and Insulated Beverage Container - Improved

The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) is seeking information on technologies or capabilities to provide next-generation Insulated Food Containers and Insulated Beverage Containers with improved thermal performance, collapsible design for reduced logistics footprint, and optional active thermal management capability. The containers should be able to maintain food safety at temperatures above 140°F for hot food and below 41°F for cold food. The requirements include passive thermal performance, insulation, serving-line performance, collapsibility, phase change material integration, physical and weight requirements, insert pan configuration, cleanability, technical data package, and active thermal management. • The containers should have a passive thermal performance that meets certain thresholds and objectives. • The containers should have insulation that meets certain requirements, including effective R-value and total wall thickness. • The containers should be able to pass a serving-line performance test. • The containers should be collapsible and have a reduced logistics footprint. • The containers should be able to integrate with phase change materials to extend thermal hold duration. • The containers should meet certain physical and weight requirements, including empty weight, loaded weight, and feeding capacity. • The containers should have an insert pan configuration that meets certain requirements. • The containers should be cleanable and meet certain industry standards for food equipment cleanability. • The containers should have a technical data package that includes certain information, such as 3D native CAD models and a complete Bill of Materials. • The containers should have an active thermal management system that meets certain requirements, including heating capacity, cooling capacity, and battery runtime.