Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) SPE3S1-26-MRE
Summary
AI-generated · Oct 29, 2025Industry interest in participating in the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) acquisition program is sought from suppliers able to meet surge and sustainment needs for DoD contingencies and emergency peacetime requirements. The MRE is a self-contained ration for individuals engaged in heavy activity, packaged in a flexible bag, with menus 1–12 as case A and 13–24 as case B. Each pallet contains 24 A and 24 B cases; per-case weight is about 22 lbs with 1.02 cubic feet, and pallets weigh about 1,098 lbs (47.6 cubic feet). Each MRE provides about 1,250 kilocalories and has a three-year shelf life at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (extendable with cold storage). The government is particularly interested in suppliers able to ramp up deliveries quickly (surge) and sustain higher production and delivery rates during contingencies or emergency peacetime needs.
Respondents must have USDA-approved facilities (registration number) and FDA compliance, must not be barred from US Government contracts, and must comply with the Berry Amendment and Buy American Act. They must be able to produce both pumpable and placeable retortable MRE components and certify their ability to meet the requirements and specifications for NSN 8970-00-149-1094 for the current 24 menus, including exterior packaging elements. Provide data on current open capacity percentage and in-house equipment for filling both pumpable and placeable MRE items, pouch sealing, number of retorts, and assembly/boxing capabilities; provide facility square footage and an inventory handling system for storing Ration National Contract (RNC) and Contractor Furnished Material (CFM) components. Data may be verified by a plant visit from the DLA Troop Support-FTGA Industrial Specialist. Industry comments are due COB November 13, 2025. Current MRE contractors and potential new sources are encouraged to respond.
The Meal, Ready-To-Eat (MRE) is designed to sustain an individual engaged in heavy activity such as military training or during actual military operations when normal food service facilities are not available. The MRE is a totally self contained operational ration consisting of a full meal packed in a flexible meal bag. Currently, menus 1 - 12 are designated case A, and menus 13 24 are designated case B. Each shipping pallet contains 24 A cases and 24 B cases. The net weight per case is approximately 22 lbs. and 1.02 cubic feet, while each pallet weighs 1,098lbs. and is approximately 47.6 cubic feet. Each MRE contains a retort-pouch entre and numerous components providing an average of 1250 kilocalories (13 % protein, 36 % fat, and 51 % carbohydrates). The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the shelf life can be extended through the use of cold storage facilities prior to distribution. An industrial base is maintained to produce the MRE, a warstopper item. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Philadelphia continually evaluates the current industrial base, acquisition approaches, supply chain management alternatives and industry interest in this program. Of particular interest is a supplier s ability to meet increased quantity and or accelerated delivery requirements, in support of Department of Defense contingencies and or emergency peacetime requirements. This capability includes both the ability to ramp up to meet early delivery or increased requirements (i.e., Surge), as well as to sustain an increased production and delivery pace throughout the contingency (i.e., Sustainment). DLA Troop Support seeks industry interest in participating in the MRE acquisition program. Interested parties should forward information that addresses their capabilities to include the elements below: Plant is USDA approved (provide registration number) and FDA compliant Company is not barred from obtaining US Government contracts Shall comply with the Berry Amendment and Buy American Act Must be able to produce both pumpable and placeable retortable products for MRE s Will certify they can meet the requirements and specifications for both food & packaging of NSN 8970-00-149-1094 for the current 24 menus including exterior box packaging elements as shown in: https://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/Operational-rations/frozen/16R0008/ Provide listing of current open capacity percentage & in-house existing production equipment for: filling both pumpable and placeable MRE items; pouch sealing equipment; number of retorts available; and assembly/boxing capability processes Provide listing of similar retortable 3 year shelf stable pouched products produced in the last 2 years Square footage of the facility and an inventory handling system to store numerous Ration National Contract (RNC) and Contractor Furnished Material (CFM) components Supplied data may be verified by a plant visit by DLA Troop Support-FTGA Industrial Specialist Industry comments are due COB November 13, 2025. The current MRE contractors, as well as potential new sources, are encouraged to reply to: David Sharp at david.sharp@dla.mil 445-737-9178.
From Sources Sought posted on Oct 28, 2025Notice history
1Details
Award Information
Not yet awarded
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Agency
Place of Performance
USA