Supplement 210 to the AMS Master Solicitation for the Purchase of Miscellaneous Beef Items for Distribution
ID: 12-3J14-Notice-24-040Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICEUSDA AMS 3J14WASHINGTON, DC, 20250, USA

NAICS

Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering (311611)

PSC

LIVE ANIMALS, RAISED FOR FOOD (8810)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/0ea44b0af08240b894cff0a0e439e6d0/view
Timeline
    Description

    The US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an updated Supplement 210 as part of its Master Solicitation for the procurement of frozen miscellaneous beef items for federal food and nutrition assistance programs. The focus is on purchasing beef roasts and diced beef from qualified suppliers.
    This opportunity is primarily aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of beef products that adhere to specific quality, safety, and compliance standards. The AMS seeks to engage suppliers who can meet these criteria while also adhering to humane animal handling practices and food defense requirements.

    Scope of Work

    The key tasks for the successful awardee will involve:

    • Supplying frozen beef roasts and diced beef that meet the specified standards, including meat component, grade, and pathogen intervention requirements.
    • Adhering to detailed harvesting, packaging, and labeling instructions, ensuring product integrity and safety.
    • Delivering the beef items under specific temperature requirements and with appropriate sealing and labeling to ensure security and compliance.
    • Providing a warranty, complaint resolution procedures, and a mechanism to prevent the delivery of non-conforming products.
    • Bearing the cost of any audits or certification processes required for contract compliance.
    Eligibility Criteria

    Potential applicants should possess the capabilities to meet the extensive requirements outlined in the Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS). This includes the ability to harvest, process, and supply beef products that align with the specific standards detailed in the solicitation. Experience in working with the USDA and knowledge of its regulations and standards would be a distinct advantage.

    Funding and Contract Details

    The contract type and estimated funding associated with this opportunity were not provided. However, the solicitation indicates that the USDA intends to procure a significant quantity of frozen beef items over an extended period. Applicants should factor in the potential costs of compliance with the extensive requirements outlined in the FPPS.

    Submission Process

    The submission process involves a two-stepped approach:

    1. Applicants should first submit a technical proposal via email, following a specified format. This proposal should outline their capabilities and how they meet the specific requirements.
    2. Changes to the technical proposal can be made at any time before the unspecified deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their proposal remains up-to-date.
    Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation of applications will give priority to suppliers who can demonstrate an understanding of and ability to meet the detailed requirements outlined in the solicitation. The USDA will assess applicants' capacity to adhere to the FPPS specifications, their experience in the industry, and their proposed production plans.
    Additionally, the USDA will conduct a food defense audit of each applicant's Food Defense Plan before opening bids.

    Contact Information

    For further clarification or questions, interested parties can contact Mark Lemon at mark.lemon@usda.gov.
    Suppliers should carefully consider the comprehensive requirements before submitting their applications. The solicitation, with its detailed specifications, serves as a comprehensive guide for applicants.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Mark Lemon
    mark.lemon@usda.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Supplement 210 Beef Round Roast and Diced 072524.pdf
    This document, Supplement 210 to the AMS Master Solicitation, outlines the procurement of frozen beef roasts and diced beef by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for federal food and nutrition assistance programs. The beef items will be purchased from qualified suppliers who submit a production plan and meet specific requirements. The production plan should include a detailed description of the products, production steps, quality assurance methods, and corrective actions for any deviations. All eligible suppliers must also meet animal welfare requirements. The USDA will conduct a food defense audit on the contractor's Food Defense Plan before bid opening. For contract compliance, contractors can opt for either the Quality Assessment Division's (QAD) Grading-based Monitoring and Certification service or the QAD Audit-based Verification service. The cost of audits, grading, and certification services will be borne by the contractor. The procurement process includes submission of a technical proposal, which follows a specific format and should be submitted as an email attachment. Changes to the technical proposal can be made at any time and should be highlighted. The beef items being procured must adhere to specific requirements outlined in the Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS). This includes specifications related to the meat component, such as allowing only beef as the meat source, and grade requirements of USDA Select, Choice, or Prime. The harvesting process must include humane handling and specific pathogen intervention steps. Boneless beef requirements include traceability, handling, and exclusion of certain objectionable materials. The FPPS also outlines packaging, packing, labeling, and palletization standards. For example, the beef roasts should be individually vacuum packaged and frozen, with specific weight requirements. The diced beef should be packed in leak-proof shipping containers with a specific net weight. Both items should be labeled with the required information, including product name, ingredient declaration, allergen statement, and nutrition facts. Additionally, there are temperature requirements for both items during delivery, and they must be delivered under seal with tamper-proof serially numbered seals. The contractor must provide a warranty and complaint resolution procedures, as well as a plan to assure that non-conforming products are not delivered. The contractor is also responsible for checkloading examinations and providing a certificate to accompany each shipment, which includes specific information such as purchase order number, shipping date, and net weight.
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