--- title: "Future Operational Ration Pack (ORP) RFI" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2025-11-21" --- # Future Operational Ration Pack (ORP) RFI Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/601a42c5-c498-421a-bf81-ec1347adb290 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 10 Dec 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS34 8JH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire | | Local authority | South Gloucestershire | | Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick | | Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products ### Codes - 15897100 - Field rations ## Release History - 21 Nov 2025 at 13:06 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/601a42c5-c498-421a-bf81-ec1347adb290 - 14 Nov 2025 at 13:46 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/58a6e6ae-2232-4bf9-919a-d3ec8bc89828 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/601a42c5-c498-421a-bf81-ec1347adb290 21st November 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/58a6e6ae-2232-4bf9-919a-d3ec8bc89828 14th November 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60439 Please refer to link for further details including how to respond ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4a9b5ef-7c88-4ba8-8fc9-ac1dfcf76f2b.json.