What is included in ration #15: DOT purchased new food sets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
10 February 12:14
At the end of January 2025, the State Logistics Operator (DOT) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine signed seven contracts for the supply of 1.4 million daily field food kits under Norm 15. The relevant data appeared in the Prozorro system, according to "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Nashi Hroshi.
According to the published data, the total value of the contracts amounted to UAH 364.57 million, which is 7% lower than the expected value. The average price of one ration is 258 hryvnia ($6.12).
The kits are to be delivered in four batches by December 10, 2025. Three to four companies took part in the tender for each lot, actively competing with each other. For comparison, a similar contract by a military unit for similar rations had a price of 250 hryvnias per set (about $6).
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What is included in the ration according to the norm No. 15
The peculiarity of the rations according to the norm No. 15 is the absence of metal canned food – all meals are packed in retort bags. The set includes three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since October 2023, the assortment has been expanded from 7 to 14 menu options, adding a variety of vegetable ingredients. DOT has contracted sets for all 14 meals.
The standard rations currently being purchased differ from the enhanced version (MREP-P), which was first purchased in the fall of 2024. The regular rations do not contain chewing gum, chocolate, dried fruit and flameless heaters, but the caloric content is at least 3500 kcal.
Such rations can be bought online for a price of 400 UAH. It includes:
Despite the approval of the specification for halal dry rations in September 2024, they were not included in this procurement. DOT plans to hold separate tenders for kosher and halal rations in the first quarter of 2025. There is no specification for vegan meals yet.
Requirements for suppliers
To participate in the tender, companies had to meet strict requirements: have the necessary staff, warehouse space of 200 square meters or more, freight transport, experience in supplying the State Food and Nutrition Program since 2021, and revenue of at least 30% of the purchase price for 2023-2024. A bank guarantee of 1% of the expected value was also required.
The DOT has strengthened product quality control in the new contracts. Each batch must undergo laboratory control: food products are checked by the MoD’s Food Safety Department, and non-food products by an accredited laboratory. There is a tasting procedure, and the shelf life must be at least 90% of the established one (at least 20 months).
During the bidding process, a discussion arose about the price of the rations – an anonymous bidder expressed concern that the price of $6 per set could lead to low quality products compared to the US equivalent costing $25. The DOT responded that bidders have the right not to participate in the tender if they have doubts about profitability.
Initially, it was planned to purchase 1.7 million kits for UAH 485 million, but two lots for UAH 93.55 million were not held due to the restriction on the maximum number of contracts with one participant (no more than three). The contracts with a total value of UAH 364.57 million were divided among three companies.
The contracts were awarded to Partner Ukraine LLC from Dnipro, Fabrika Smaku LLC from Odesa, and Mitform LLC from Poltava region. It is worth noting that two of these companies are involved in investigations by the Bureau of Economic Security into possible violations related to the use of budget funds and tax evasion.
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