Planning

Future Operational Ration Pack (ORP) RFI

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

21 Nov 2025 at 13:06

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

14 Nov 2025 at 13:46

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, based in Bristol, England, is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) concerning the development of Future Operational Ration Packs (ORPs). This procurement process, currently in the planning stage, focuses on field rations within the Defence industry category, aiming at integrating functional ingredients to enhance various physical and cognitive benefits for Service Personnel. The engagement process is scheduled to conclude on 10th December 2025, with responses required to be submitted via email to Nichola Durham. The procurement exercise involves multiple global delivery locations, including the UK and its overseas territories.

Businesses operating in the nutrition and packaging sectors, particularly those with innovative COTS (Commercially Off-The-Shelf) products offering sustainability benefits, may find growth opportunities within this tender. SMEs are especially encouraged to participate as the project calls for solutions that can incorporate functional nutrients and sustainable packaging options. This RFI offers a platform for suppliers to present their products and potentially influence future procurement activities that align with Defence's sustainability and operational needs.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Future Operational Ration Pack (ORP) RFI

Notice Description

Defence are currently investigating a future ration system that has at its very heart inclusion of functional ingredients at levels commensurate with delivering benefits to physical and cognitive performance, mood/ wellbeing, musculoskeletal health and immunity. This change of focus by Defence on nutrition as a capability in its own right, provides opportunities for an extensive range of COTS products, providing low, medium and high levels of the functional nutrients to be incorporated into ORP, specifically for the purpose of mitigating illness/ injury of SP, enhance military operational capability, whilst also reducing weight and bulk. The secondary benefit is to seek opportunities to minimise and change from single use plastic packaging where appropriate, in order to minimise waste and maximise sustainability benefits. This request for information is an exploration to determine what products are available Commercially that can be adopted to create a lighter, more compact ration system that meets the cognitive and physical demands of Service Personnel operating in the future Battlespace. It is a component part of a wider movement within Defence exploring how improvements in Operational feeding can further contribute to fighting power. This RFI is an information gathering exercise, no further discussions with industry are planned at this stage however any future procurement activity will be advertised in line with public procurement regulations on the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder. Suppliers should download the RFI Document, complete the sections with your response and submit via email to Nichola.Durham100@mod.gov.uk Additional information: Link to Opportunity notice published on the Defence Sourcing Portal

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/601a42c5-c498-421a-bf81-ec1347adb290
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

CPV Codes

15897100 - Field rations

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
nichola.durham100@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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