Domestic Origin of Meat Produced for Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs January 2024
Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

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

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/45935a7724324b6a95f2606bb695b09d/view
Timeline
    Description

    Special Notice: AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF - AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE - USDA AMS 3J14
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued a special notice regarding the domestic origin of meat produced for federal nutrition assistance programs. The notice clarifies that meat products used in these programs must come from animals that are born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States.
    AMS procures food products of domestic origin for nutrition assistance programs and regularly evaluates the effectiveness of its food purchase programs. The guidelines for procuring beef, pork, lamb, and bison products were found to be unclear, prompting the need for clarification.
    To ensure compliance with the domestic origin requirement, vendors must not knowingly procure animals from outside the U.S. for use in federal nutrition assistance programs. Additionally, vendors must not knowingly slaughter animals clearly marked as imported to produce meat for these programs. USDA regulations require that imported cattle, bison, swine, and lambs be identified through branding, tattoos, and/or identification tags.
    AMS will enforce the domestic origin requirement by requiring vendors to include a description of how they will ensure compliance in their technical proposals. This may involve implementing segregation plans or other methods to provide reasonable assurance of compliance. AMS conducts regularly scheduled in-person audits to verify compliance with the technical proposals.
    If a vendor is found to have violated the domestic origin requirement, they will be required to provide a corrective action and, if necessary, update their technical proposal. Willful violations may result in the vendor being suspended by AMS until they can demonstrate that the issue has been resolved.
    AMS auditors will not visit feedlots as part of verifying the domestic origin requirement. Audits will be conducted on the premises of the vendor establishment, and it is the vendor's responsibility to ensure compliance.
    Contracts awarded prior to January 1, 2024, are not subject to the clarified requirement. However, contracts entered on or after January 1, 2024, will be subject to the requirement. Contractors with concerns about meeting the clarified requirements should contact AMS.
    For more information, please contact Darin R. Doerscher, Chief Food Safety and Technology Branch at USDA, AMS, Livestock & Poultry Program. Phone: 563-847-1550, Email: darin.doerscher@usda.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Darin Doerscher
    (563) 847-1550
    darin.doerscher@usda.gov
    Files
    No associated files provided.
    Similar Opportunities
    Supplement 210 to the AMS Master Solicitation for the Purchase of Miscellaneous Beef Items for Distribution
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    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: 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. 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.
    Updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - Domestic Programs (MSCP-D)
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued a Special Notice regarding the Updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - Domestic Programs (MSCP-D), effective October 24, 2024. This solicitation outlines the provisions and contract requirements for vendors interested in supplying commodities for various USDA food programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The updated document emphasizes compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), vendor qualification criteria, and sustainability measures, ensuring that all commodities are sourced from U.S. suppliers. Interested vendors can find more information and submit bids electronically via the Web Based Supply Chain Management system (WBSCM). For inquiries, contact David C. Jackson at davidc.jackson@usda.gov or Elizabeth Hoover at elizabeth.hoover@usda.gov.
    Frozen Pork And Ham Products for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is seeking bids for the procurement of frozen pork and ham products intended for domestic food assistance programs. The solicitation, identified by bid invitation number 12-3J14-25-B-0108, requires delivery of approximately 1,224,320 pounds of various pork products to multiple locations across the United States, with deliveries scheduled between January 1 and April 30, 2025. This procurement is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the federal food distribution supply chain, and all offers must be submitted electronically via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management System (WBSCM) by December 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM CT. Interested vendors can contact Carrie Meyers at carrie.meyers@usda.gov or Valerie Dinkel at Valerie.Dinkel@usda.gov for further information.
    Updated FPPS Chicken Parts, Frozen
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    Special Notice: AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF is seeking to procure updated FPPS Chicken Parts, Frozen through the AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE. This service is typically used for purchasing frozen chicken parts for federal programs. The updates to the specification include replacing kosher chicken cut-up with kosher leg quarters, adjusting the chicken cut-up WOG range, allowing a thigh or drumstick added to Leg Quarters to complete weight, increasing the date processed from 60 to 90 days, allowing an alternative to verify carcass weight, expanding UPC codes to identify primary and secondary containers, adding sesame allergen, contractor checkloading, and the vendor option allowing either grading or auditing certification.
    Chicken Products(Canned And Pouch) for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs.
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    Solicitation: AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF is seeking Chicken Products (Canned And Pouch) for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs. The products will be delivered to various locations in the United States on an FOB origin basis. The solicitation may include small business set-asides, service-disabled veteran-owned set-asides, quantities reserved for 8(a) and AbilityOne firms, and price evaluation preferences for qualified HUBZone small businesses. The anticipated date of receipt for offers is listed above under "General Information." The contract type will be firm-fixed-price. The products must be a product of the United States and meet the commodity and packaging requirements specified in the solicitation. Potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements. Bids, modifications, withdrawals of bids, and price adjustments shall be submitted using the WBSCM system. The solicitation should be read in conjunction with the Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) and commodity specifications documents available on the AMS website.
    Final Commodity Specification for Frozen Black Bean Burgers
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued a special notice regarding the procurement of Frozen Black Bean Burger Patties, which will be available for USDA Foods in Schools for the school year 2025-26. The final commodity specification outlines stringent requirements for this plant-based product, including that all ingredients must be sourced from 100% domestic origins, with specific nutritional content and size parameters, while prohibiting non-vegan components. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the nutritional offerings in federal nutrition programs, particularly in school lunch settings, ensuring quality and compliance with USDA guidelines. Interested vendors can reach out to Richard Peterson at Richard.Peterson@usda.gov for further details on the procurement process.
    Canned Boned White Meat Chicken for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    Solicitation: AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF is seeking Canned Boned White Meat Chicken for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs. This procurement is part of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)-Commodity Procurement Program (CPP) and is intended to provide food assistance to various locations in the United States. The solicitation may include small business set-asides, service-disabled veteran-owned set-asides, and preferences for qualified HUBZone small businesses. The solicitation will be available electronically through USDA Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) and Contract Opportunities website. The contract type will be firm-fixed-price. The products must be a product of the United States and must meet the commodity and packaging requirements specified in the solicitation. Potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements. Bids and price adjustments must be submitted through WBSCM. The solicitation should be read in conjunction with the Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) and commodity specifications documents available on the AMS website.
    Updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - International Programs (MSCP-I)
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued an updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - International Programs (MSCP-I), effective from October 23, 2024. This solicitation is designed to facilitate various commodity contracts related to U.S. Government international food assistance programs, including Food for Peace, Food for Progress, and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education programs, while ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) standards. The MSCP-I document outlines essential guidelines, vendor qualification requirements, and updates on small business program definitions, emphasizing that commodities must be U.S.-produced. Interested vendors can reach out to Dan Webber at dan.webber@usda.gov or David Cottrell at david.cottrell@usda.gov for further inquiries.
    Supplement 500 Tuna Products
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is seeking suppliers for the procurement of Supplement 500 Tuna Products, with updates effective August 2024. This opportunity requires compliance with FDA regulations and approval under the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program, emphasizing the necessity for a food defense plan, documentation of compliance, and adherence to "Dolphin-Safe" standards for tuna caught in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The USDA aims to source sustainable and safe tuna for federal food and nutrition assistance programs, ensuring strict quality assurance and traceability through precise labeling and packaging requirements. Interested suppliers should refer to the Final Supplement 500 Tuna Products document for detailed requirements and compliance guidelines.
    Final FPPS Smoked Turkey Ham Products and Supplement Options Language for Turkey Products
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service seeks suppliers for its federal food assistance programs, focusing on high-quality smoked turkey ham products. The procurement aims to source frozen, vacuum-packed turkey hams produced humanely and in compliance with FSIS regulations. Suppliers must meet detailed specifications and certification requirements, ensuring compliance, quality, and safety throughout the production process. The AMS outlines two compliance options, with evaluations completed within 10 days of sample and proposal submissions. Interested producers should refer to the AMS Master Solicitation for full details, as the opportunity offers a substantial contract value.