One of the least publicized elements of the cost of the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq is the need to truck into Iraq and landlocked Afghanistan almost all the perishable and non-perishable food items consumed by U.S. forces and civilian personnel.

The Defense Logistics Agency is preparing to contract out delivery of more than $10 billion worth of food to U.S. troops and other government personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Jordan. The solicitation is broken into two contracts -- one for Afghanistan for five years and another for Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan for four years.

The list of items is extensive. The prime vendor, according to the bid solicitation, "must be capable of supplying all chilled products, semi-perishable food stuffs, frozen fish, meat and poultry, other frozen foods (fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, etc.), dairy and ice cream products, fresh and frozen bakery products, beverage base & juices (for dispensers), beverages & juices (nondispenser), fresh fruits and vegetables, non-food items."

In addition, the vendor will deliver government-furnished food products such as "Unitized Group Rations, Meals Ready to Eat, Health and Comfort packs and other operational rations items (either currently in existence or to be introduced during the term of this award)."

Some of the fresh food can be obtained locally, but much of it must come from the United States, according to the contract. Seventy-seven firms, in the United States and in the region, indicated interest in bidding on the Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan contract. The winner is expected to be named this spring.

A major element in the cost for these contracts is that the winning firms must pay for private security services that supply guards to their shipments.

Read More...