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US MRE/Humanitarian Ration Orders, FY 2007

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Tastes like (Parmesan) Chicken… The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issues contracts for American field rations, knows as Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), and for Humanitarian Daily Rations used when providing aid in emergency situations abroad. While there are reports that the French RCIR (Ration de Combat Individuelle Réchauffable) has superior trade value on the front lines, MREs are generally considered to be a significant improvement over earlier US rations. DID readers with a high fright threshold might wish to view a set of comparative photos of modern army rations from various militaries; even if you knew nothing about China, you could guess that their soldiers are draftees. Or, you can learn about the tactical uses of MREs as protection against anti-tank rockets. See below for field anecdotes and contracts from FY 2007 – Present. Field Anecdote #2 From AFPS “Army Birthday Bash Features New, Emerging Technology” on June 14/07: “Maj. Christopher Hobart, from the Army Transformation Office, sat on a picnic bench sharing his impressions of the new beef brisket, pulled buffalo chicken, and chicken pesto pasta entrees, as well as a “home-style biscuit.” While not raving about any particular meal, Hobart declared all as good […]
MRE

Tastes like (Parmesan) Chicken…

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issues contracts for American field rations, knows as Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), and for Humanitarian Daily Rations used when providing aid in emergency situations abroad.

While there are reports that the French RCIR (Ration de Combat Individuelle Réchauffable) has superior trade value on the front lines, MREs are generally considered to be a significant improvement over earlier US rations. DID readers with a high fright threshold might wish to view a set of comparative photos of modern army rations from various militaries; even if you knew nothing about China, you could guess that their soldiers are draftees. Or, you can learn about the tactical uses of MREs as protection against anti-tank rockets. See below for field anecdotes and contracts from FY 2007 – Present.

Field Anecdote #2

From AFPS “Army Birthday Bash Features New, Emerging Technology” on June 14/07:

“Maj. Christopher Hobart, from the Army Transformation Office, sat on a picnic bench sharing his impressions of the new beef brisket, pulled buffalo chicken, and chicken pesto pasta entrees, as well as a “home-style biscuit.”

While not raving about any particular meal, Hobart declared all as good as most microwavable products sold at grocery stores. In fact, he said he liked that some off-the-shelf items are being included in the ration packages.

But what impressed Hobart the most was the variety of the new combat meals being offered. He said he remembers all too well a training exercise earlier in his career when his unit ended up eating chicken cacciatore twice a day for an entire two-week period. “I never ate chicken cacciatore again,” he said.”

Contracts

Unless otherwise specified, The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issued the indefinite-quantity type contracts, and the rations are destined for the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal civilian agencies.

See “A Month In The Life: US Military Commissary & Food Contracts, Oct. 2006” for coverage of what a contract “with economic price adjustment” entails, and why they’re sometimes a good idea.

Aug 31/07: Small business qualifier Sopakco Packaging in Mullins, SC a $7.2 million firm fixed price contract, exercising the 2nd option year for Meal-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Wet-Pac Fruit Component items. Mmmm, “Wet-Pac Fruit Component items”; it sounds so appetizing when you put it that way.

There were 31 proposals originally solicited with 5 responses. Date of performance completion is Sept. 3, 2008 (SPM300-05-D-Z119).

Jan 19/07: Small business qualifier Sopakco, Inc. in Mullins, SC received a maximum $22.7 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for Meal Ready-to-Eat (MRE) on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal civilian agencies. There were 3 proposals solicited and 3 responded. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).

Jan 19/07: AmeriQual Group LLC in Evansville, IN received a maximum $18.6 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for Meal Ready-to-Eat (MRE) on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal civilian agencies. There were 3 proposals solicited and 3 responded. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).

Dec 14/06: Sterling Foods, Ltd. in San Antonio, TX received a maximum $35.9 million firm fixed price contract for bakery items for use in the Meals Ready to Eat. This is an indefinite quantity type contract exercising option year one. There were 32 proposals solicited and 4 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is December 19, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z118).

Dec 14/06: Small business qualifier Caravan Trading Company in Union City, CA received a maximum $6.3 million firm fixed price contract for pound cakes for use in the Meals Ready to Eat. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This is an indefinite quantity type contract exercising option year one. There were 32 proposals solicited and 4 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is December 19, 2007. Contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z116).

Nov 14/06: Small disadvantaged business qualifier Jianas Brothers Packaging Company in Kansas City, MO won a maximum $7.4 million firm fixed price contract for food components for the Meals Ready to Eat program. Using services are the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal civilian agencies. There were 7 proposals solicited by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA, and 5 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the contract will end on November 13, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z119).

Nov 14/06: Small disadvantaged business qualifier Imperial Sales Company in Watsonville, CA received a maximum $5.6 million flexible price indefinite quantity contract for various commercial components for unitized group ration heat & serve and unitized group ration B. Using services are the US Army and Marine Corps. This is a base year contract with three 1-year options; contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the contract base period will end on December 3, 2007. Proposals were Web-solicited by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA, and 1 firm responded (SMP3S1-07-D-Z187).

Nov 3/06: AmeriQual Group, LLC in Evansville, IN received a maximum $167.6 million fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for MREs and Humanitarian Daily Rations. There were 3 proposals solicited and 3 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the contract will end on December 31, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).

Oddly, a March 31, 2005 award covered in this DID article listed AmeriQual Group as a small business qualifier and SOPACKO as a firm who was not…

Nov 3/06: Small business qualifier SOPAKCO, Inc. in Mullins, SC received a maximum $148.3 million fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for MREs and Humanitarian Daily Rations. There were 3 proposals solicited and 3 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the contract will end on December 31, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).

Nov 3/06: The Wornick Company in Cincinnati, OH received a maximum $140.5 million fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for MREs and Humanitarian Daily Rations. There were 3 proposals solicited and 3 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the contract will end on December 31, 2007 (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).

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