Meal, Cold Weather (MCW)

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence is seeking vendors for the Meal, Cold Weather (MCW), an individual operational ration designed for extreme cold weather military operations. The MCW is a specialized food package that remains edible in freezing conditions, with each ration packaged in a white camouflage pouch and designed to be issued three times daily to support troops. The source sought notice is conducting market research to identify potential suppliers capable of producing this unique cold weather ration, which includes extra drink mixes to counter dehydration and comes packaged in shipping containers of twelve ration/meal packets. Potential vendors are required to submit detailed information about their company, including government contract experience, delivery capabilities, and product lead times via email to Darren.Gregory@dla.mil. The response deadline for this market research is April 29, 2025, with the understanding that this is a preliminary information-gathering phase and not an official solicitation.

The pre-solicitation notice indicates no specific set-aside designations for this contract opportunity, suggesting it will be open to all qualified vendors. Typical order volumes are estimated between 30,000 to 60,000 cases annually, with each case weighing approximately 15 pounds and measuring 1.02 cubic feet. The delivery timeline requires contractors to complete delivery within 120 calendar days from order receipt to the delivery location in Tracy, California. The contract falls under the NAICS Category 311422 for Specialty Canning and PSC Category 8970 for Composite Food Packages. While no specific award value is mentioned, the specialized nature of the product and the consistent annual order volume suggest a potentially significant contract opportunity for manufacturers with the capability to produce freeze-resistant, military-grade meal packages.