Supplement 602 Lamb Products - September 2025

Supplement 602 outlines the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requirements for purchasing frozen lamb products for federal food and nutrition assistance programs. It details competitive bidding from qualified contractors, mandating domestic origin certification and compliance with food defense, animal welfare, and AMS contract monitoring protocols. Key aspects include a Quality Assessment Division (QAD) grader's presence during production, contractor-borne audit costs, and specific checkloading and certification of conformance documents. Exhibit A, the Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) for Lamb Products, Frozen, defines product scope, applicable IMPS documents, ordering data, and detailed packaging, labeling, and delivery unit requirements, including specific material numbers and weight ranges. Exhibit B, the FPPS for Animal Handling and Welfare, sets standards for humane animal handling, requiring a written program, management commitment, employee training, and a quality management plan subject to AMS audits. Exhibit C details the Monitoring and Evaluation Protocol for Conformity Assessment, outlining how QAD agents assess contractor compliance with animal welfare plans and FPPS requirements, including documentation, physical characteristics, processing, and finished product limitations. Deviations lead to corrective actions or rejection. Exhibit D is a Certificate of Conformance for contractors to certify compliance with all purchase order requirements.