6 Bids Under: US Army Orders Portable Morgues

MIRCS, deployed(click to view full) Guild Associates in Dublin, OH, was awarded on Aug. 16 a $16.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for 43 “mobile integrated remains systems” (MIRCS). Which is to say, portable morgues. Not a pleasant subject, or something you think of when you think of “technology artisans,” but it comes with the nature of battle – and if it was your loved one, you’d want those remains seen to quickly, and with honor. MIRCS is based off Guilds’ Expandable Shelter Platform (ESP) design, a modified shipping container with sides that lower and fabric soft walls. Guilds’ patent pending design allows for storage of 16 remains at between 34 and 36°F, to mortuary air quality standards, in addition to space for processing and administrative work. In transport mode, the MIRCS dimensions are nominally 20′ x 8′ x 8′ with corner fitting, to meet ISO standards for container shipment. It can also be mounted on a HEMTT heavy truck. Sounds like an immediate delivery order – work is to be performed in Dublin, OH, with an estimated completion date of Aug 20/10. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web, with 6 bids received by U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering […]