The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is seeking innovative solutions through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to enhance the operational efficiency, safety, and hygiene of military dining facilities (DFACs) via automation and robotics. The initiative aims to develop advanced technologies for mechanized food distribution, ware washing, and facility maintenance, with a focus on automating back-of-the-house tasks that support front-of-the-house operations. This opportunity is critical for improving military dining services while ensuring compliance with health standards and military regulations. Interested parties must be ITAR-certified and submit proposals by May 21, 2025, with the program's details available at the provided links.

OUSD(R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy, Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES: Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy OBJECTIVE: Develop advanced robotic solutions and automation technologies to enhance the operational efficiency, safety, and hygiene of military dining facilities (DFACs). The initiative targets innovations in food production, mechanized distribution, ware washing, and facility maintenance. DESCRIPTION: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Subsistence seeks cutting-edge research in automation and robotics for DFAC operations. Areas of interest include: • Mechanized and Automated Food Distribution/Delivery: Solutions for automated movement and transportation of food and materials within the DFAC. • Ware Washing Solutions: Robotics systems for efficient collection, sorting, washing, and sanitizing of dishware with minimal human intervention. • Facility Maintenance: Robotic technologies to support janitorial tasks and ensure compliance with health standards and military service regulations. • Identify and develop solutions to automate the Back-of the-House (BOH) tasks that support the Front-of the-House (FOH) DFAC operations. • Provide technological characteristics/capabilities/details of the robotic or automation equipment and solutions to support the DFAC Food & Beverage operations. • If your firm is currently developing this type of equipment, provide details regarding the proposed and presently executable functions of the robotics technology and any timeframe for commercial testing, application, and production. DLA emphasizes collaborations with industry leaders, academia, and DoD program offices to develop technologies that meet military needs while maintaining scalability for commercial applications. Respondents must be ITAR-certified to qualify for submission of a proposal and receive any subsequent data for this project. PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of automation technologies in DFACs through: • Development of a concept of operations (CONOPs). • A cost breakdown, including product, shipping, installation, training, and maintenance costs. • Deliverables: A detailed final report with experimental data supporting feasibility. PHASE II: Build upon Phase I outcomes by: • Deploying and testing automation technologies in an operational military DFAC. • Refining prototypes and gathering data on efficiency, reliability, and safety. • Deliverables: A CONOPs for system-wide implementation and a cost-benefit analysis. PHASE III: Focus on dual-use commercialization for military and civilian dining facilities. Collaborations with manufacturers, service providers, military service program offices, and DLA Troop Support Subsistence Directorate will enable scalable deployment of these technologies. Currently, no specific funding is associated with PHASE III. Progress documented from PHASE I and PHASE II should result in a vendor’s qualification as an approved source for the developed automation-robotics to support and supplement DFACs in future procurements. REFERENCES: 1. DoD Manual 1338.10, DoD Food Service Manual. Link 2. TB MED 530/NAVMED P-5010-1/AFMAN 48-147_IP, "Tri-Service Food Code." Link 3. Defense Logistics Agency: DLA Troop Support Subsistence. Link KEYWORDS: Automation, Robotics, Military Dining Facilities, AI

Automation-Robotics to Support/Supplement Dining Facility Operations

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates