Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE)

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 entrée 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.