Corps solicits for new expeditionary kitchen

[unhappycamper]

Corps solicits for new expeditionary kitchen
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 7, 2009 5:30:10 EST

Call it Meals on Wheels with a gun rack.

The Corps is considering fielding a new, portable trailer capable of feeding 500 Marines within two hours. Known as the Expeditionary Field Kitchen, it would include three sinks, a refrigerator, floor drains, an exhaust system and electrical appliances capable of boiling, baking, braising, frying and griddling, according to a Nov. 23 advertisement to industry. It must be equipped to serve all kinds of military rations, including hot A-ration meals.

The Corps plans to buy an undisclosed number of EFKs by Sept. 30, according to the advertisement. Companies interested in competing for the contract must respond with possible specifications and plans by Dec. 22. No cost estimates were provided.

While the kitchen’s requirements include space for plenty of utensils and pots and pans that would be recognizable in any restaurant or diner, the trailer will be hard to mistake for something in the civilian world. For one, it must have a gun rack capable of holding M16s for the five Marines who commonly work in it, Marine officials said.

The kitchen must break down to fit in an 8-foot-by-8-foot-by-20-foot container with forklift pockets. It must also be transportable by rail and able to fit in a C-130 and other large fixed-wing aircraft, according to draft specifications posted on FBO.gov, a federal contracting Web site. It must weigh no more than 13,600 pounds empty — light enough to be slung beneath CH-53 and CH-47D helicopters.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/marines_kitchen_120609w/