Specifications include, but are not limited to: The purpose of this RFO is to obtain and gather information regarding nutritional value and complete product descriptions (including package size, varieties, and ingredient specificity) for each component of the fire line and camp lunches from all interested Offerers. This RFO also serves as a platform for Offerers to demonstrate how they plan to meet the stringent requirements listed in the attachments. After review of current research and industry standards, the CALFIRE Wellness Unit strongly encourages increasing the minimum requirement for both overall calories and grams of protein for each sack lunch. Research has demonstrated the need for firefighters to consume a minimum number of calories, carbohydrates, and protein to prevent muscle and tissue break down and supply energy needed for optimal work output. The “Feeding the Wildland Firefighter” publication by the United States Forest Service (USFS) outlines the energy demands and dietary recommendations for the wildland firefighter. Research conducted by the University of Montana Human Performance Laboratory and the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC), in cooperation with the USFS, provide the following dietary recommendations for the prolonged physical exertion required of the wildland firefighter: Carbohydrate 60%, Protein 15%, Fat 25%. The field studies in 2002 determined that male firefighters burned an average of 4,758 calories per day and females burned an average of 3,550 calories per day. These studies also showed calories burned were as high as 6,000 during extended arduous work shifts. The US Forest Fitness and Work Capacity Manual also provides the following macronutrient recommendations for long hours of strenuous fire line work: Carbohydrate: 7 – 10 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, Protein: 1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, Fat: 1 gram of fat per kilogram of body weight as a minimum. Meeting the minimum nutrient and caloric recommendations during prolonged and strenuous work can improve work output, immune functions, blood glucose, mood, decrease the breakdown of muscles, and decrease risk of injury. When caloric needs are not met to support the physical work, energy can be derived through a process called gluconeogenesis, where muscle protein is broken down to provide the body with its energy needs. Daily caloric deficits can lead to rapid weight loss for the firefighter which can lead to a decrease of lean muscle mass resulting in fatigue and increased risk of injury.