AMSC N/A FSC 8960

A-A-20098F

November 24, 2015

SUPERSEDING

A-A-20098E

February 23, 2009

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

BEVERAGE BASES (POWDERED)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers powdered beverage bases (beverage bases) packed in 

commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments, and 

other interested parties. Please note: This does not guarantee purchase of this item by 

USDA.1

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers must specify the following:

- Type(s), flavor(s), and formulation(s) of beverage bases desired (Sec. 3).

- When analytical requirements are different than specified (Sec. 7.1).

- When analytical requirements need to be verified (Sec. 7.2).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.4).

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

- Food Defense (Sec. 10.1) and Manufacturer’s Quality Assurance (Sec. 10.2). Purchaser 

may specify one of the following combinations: Sec. 10.1.1 with 10.2.1 or 10.1.2 with 

10.2.2.

- Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 11).

3. CLASSIFICATION. The beverage bases must conform to the following list which must be 

specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

 

1 For USDA purchase specifications please visit the following website: Commodity Purchase Specifications for Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS).

METRIC
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Types, flavors, and formulations.

2

Type I - Unsweetened

Type II - Sweetened with nutritive sweetener

Type III - Sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener

Flavor 1 - Orange

Flavor 2 - Lemon

Flavor 3 - Lime

Flavor 4 - Lemon-Lime

Flavor 5 - Grape

Flavor 6 - Cherry

Flavor 7 - Fruit Punch

Flavor 8 - Lemonade

Flavor 9 - Strawberry

Flavor 10 - Tropical Punch

Flavor 11 - Berry

Flavor 12 - Apple Cider

Flavor 13 - Raspberry

Flavor 14 - Cranberry

Flavor 15 - Tangerine Strawberry

Flavor 16 - Peach

Flavor 17 - Strawberry Kiwi

Flavor 18 - Cranberry Pomegranate

Flavor 19 - Pink Lemonade

Flavor 20 - Raspberry Lemonade

Flavor 21 - Tea with Lemon

Flavor 22 - Cranberry Grape

Flavor 23 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Formulation a - Not fortified

Formulation b - Fortified with not less than 20 mg ascorbic acid per serving

Formulation c - Fortified with vitamin pre-mix

Formulation d - Fortified with ascorbic acid and enhanced with maltodextrin

Ascorbic acid - Not less than 45 mg per serving

Maltodextrin - Not less than 13 g per serving

Formulation e - Fortified with ascorbic acid and enhanced with maltodextrin

Ascorbic acid - Not less than 30 mg per serving

Maltodextrin - Not less than 30 g per serving

Formulation f - Fortified with ascorbic acid and enhanced with caffeine

Formulation g - Fortified with potassium and vitamin pre-mix and enhanced with sodium

 

2 Not all options are available from every manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer/distributor for availability.
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Formulation h - Fortified with ascorbic acid and calcium

Formulation i - Fortified with ascorbic acid, calcium, and vitamin pre-mix

Formulation j - Fortified with protein, fiber, and vitamin pre-mix

Formulation k - Fortified with calcium

Formulation l - Enhanced with fiber

Formulation m - Fortified with potassium and enhanced with sodium

Formulation n - Fortified with not less than 90 mg ascorbic acid per serving

Formulation o - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s 

products must meet the requirements of the:

- Processing guidelines (Sec. 5).

- Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

- Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 7).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 8).

- Regulatory requirements (Sec. 9).

- Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10).

- Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 11).

5. PROCESSING GUIDELINES.

5.1 Processing. The beverage bases must be processed in accordance with Current Good 

Manufacturing Practices (21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 110).

5.2 Food defense. The beverage bases must be processed and transported in accordance with

the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, 

Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.

3

 This guidance 

identifies the kinds of preventive measures food manufacturers, processors, or handlers may take 

to minimize the risk that food under their control will be subject to tampering or other malicious, 

criminal, or terrorist actions. The implementation of enhanced food defense preventive measures 

provides for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and 

transportation of pre-production raw materials, other ingredients, and post-production finished 

product.

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

6.1 Ingredients. All ingredients must be declared by their common or usual name in 

descending order of predominance by weight (21 CFR § 101.4(a)) unless exempted by 21 CFR § 

101.100. The beverage bases must contain ingredients appropriate for the type(s), flavor(s), and 

formulation(s) of beverage bases specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. The 

 

3 http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm.
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beverage bases may contain natural or artificial flavors, acidulants, antioxidants, stabilizers, 

clouding agents, U.S. certified colors, anticaking agents, emulsifiers, fillers, ascorbic acid, and 

other ingredients.

6.1.1 Sweeteners. Nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners may be used in the sweetened beverage 

bases. The nutritive sweeteners must be white, refined, granulated cane or beet sugar, fructose, 

or a combination thereof. The non-nutritive sweeteners must be aspartame, saccharin, 

acesulfame-K, sucralose, or a combination thereof, or other non-nutritive sweeteners approved 

by the FDA for food use.

6.1.2 Formulation. The levels of fortification and enhancement must be as specified in the

solicitation, contract, or purchase order. The levels of fortification for the use of the term 

“fortified” in the labeling of these foods must be in accordance with 21 CFR § 101.54(e).

6.1.3 Additional ingredients. Additional ingredients may be used as permitted by the FDA. 

When used, the additional ingredients must be of Food Chemicals Codex purity or United States

Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) quality and meet the related FDA regulations on 

food additives or generally recognized as safe (GRAS) requirements.

6.2 Finished product. The beverage bases must be uniformly blended, free-flowing, 

homogenous dry mixtures, free from hard lumps. Granulation may vary from a fine powder to 

small agglomerated crystals. Powder may be homogeneous or speckled in color. When 

reconstituted per the manufacturer’s instructions, the beverage bases must fully dissolve within 

two minutes with constant stirring. The beverage bases must be a clear to slightly cloudy, 

sediment free liquid. The hydrated beverage bases must have the appearance and distinct odor 

and flavor as specified in TABLE I.

TABLE I. Finished product requirements.

Flavor Appearance Odor and Flavor

Flavor 1 - Orange bright orange distinct orange, sweet and sour

Flavor 2 - Lemon pale to bright

yellow

lemon, sweet and sour

Flavor 3 - Lime bright green lime, sweet and sour

Flavor 4 - Lemon-Lime pale green lemon-lime, sweet and sour

Flavor 5 - Grape purple grey to blue sweet grape

Flavor 6 - Cherry bright red sweet candied cherry

Flavor 7 - Fruit Punch reddish orange sweet fruit blend

Flavor 8 - Lemonade pale yellow lemon, sweet and sour 

Flavor 9 - Strawberry pink sweet strawberry
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TABLE I. Finished product requirements. (continued)

Flavor Appearance Odor and Flavor

Flavor 10 - Tropical Punch light red tropical fruit blend

Flavor 11 - Berry red berry, sweet

Flavor 12 - Apple Cider dark amber apple and cinnamon, sweet

Flavor 13 - Raspberry dark red raspberry, sweet

Flavor 14 - Cranberry bright red cranberry, sweet and sour

Flavor 15 - Tangerine 

Strawberry

pale white to grey tangerine and strawberry, sweet

Flavor 16 - Peach orange-brown peach, sweet

Flavor 17 - Strawberry Kiwi light pink strawberry and kiwi blend

Flavor 18 - Cranberry 

Pomegranate

red cranberry and pomegranate blend, sweet and 

slightly tart

Flavor 19 - Pink Lemonade pink lemon, sweet and sour

Flavor 20 - Raspberry 

Lemonade

pink mild raspberry and lemon, sweet and sour

Flavor 21 - Tea with Lemon brown sweet tea with lemon

Flavor 22 - Cranberry Grape dark purple red grape and cranberry blend, sweet and sour

6.3 Foreign material. All ingredients and finished product must be clean, sound, wholesome, 

free from foreign material, and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation.

7. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS.

7.1 Analytical requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the analytical requirements for the beverage bases must be as follows:

TABLE II. Analytical requirements. (percent by weight)

Type Flavor Formulation

Moisture

(percent maximum)

Type I - Unsweetened All All 2.0

Type II - Sweetened 

with nutritive

sweetener

All4 a - c

4

d

e

f - m

n

2.0

3.5

6.0

2.0

4.0

 

4 Flavor 12 Apple Cider, Formula b must not exceed 1.0 percent moisture
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TABLE II. Analytical requirements. (percent by weight) (continued)

Type Flavor Formulation Moisture

(percent maximum)

Type III - Sweetened 

with non-nutritive 

sweetener

All5 a

5

b - c6

d - h

i

j - l

m

n

5.0

4.0

5.0

5.5

5.0

2.0

4.0

7.1.1 Caffeine. The caffeine content for Formulation f must not be less than 80 mg and not 

more than 110 mg per serving.

7.2 Analytical verification. Purchaser must specify manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification 

(Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.4).

7.2.1 USDA verification procedures. When USDA certification (Sec. 10.4) is specified in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing will be performed as follows:

7.2.2 Product verification sampling. When USDA verification of analytical requirements is 

specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing must be performed on 

a composite sample. The composite sample must be 113.4 g (4 oz) prepared from five randomly 

selected subsamples. Subsamples must be a minimum of one can/jar/envelope and must contain 

the appropriate number of cans/jars/envelopes to yield a 113.4 g (4 oz) sample when composited.

7.3 Analytical testing. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the 

analyses must be made in accordance with the following methods from the AOAC International 

Official Methods of Analysis (OMA):

Test Method

Moisture 925.45A

Caffeine 980.14

7.4 Test results. Test results for moisture must be reported to the nearest 0.1 percent. Test 

results for caffeine must be reported to the nearest mg per g. Any result not conforming to the 

analytical requirements will be cause for rejection of the lot.

 

5 Flavor 13 Raspberry, Formula a must not exceed 3.0 percent moisture

6 Flavor 21 Tea with Lemon, Formula b must not exceed 5.0 percent moisture 
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8. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S PRODUCT ASSURANCE. The manufacturer/ 

distributor must certify that the beverage bases provided meets the salient characteristics of this 

CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the 

same beverage bases offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser reserves the right 

to require proof of conformance.

9. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered beverage bases must comply with all 

applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, 

packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of the beverage bases in the commercial 

marketplace. Delivered beverage bases must comply with all applicable provisions of the 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and regulations 

promulgated thereunder. When a known allergen is included in the beverage bases, the beverage 

bases must comply with the allergen labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic Act.

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser must specify 10.3 or 10.4.

Purchaser may specify one of the following combinations: 10.1.1 with 10.2.1, or 10.1.2 with 

10.2.2.

10.1 Food defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a Food 

Defense System Survey (FDSS) must be conducted by USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division. Food 

defense requirements include a documented and operational food defense plan that provides for 

the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and transportation of preproduction raw materials and other ingredients and post-production finished product. The plan 

must address the following areas: (1) food security plan management; (2) outside and inside 

security of the production and storage facilities; (3) slaughter, when applicable, and processing, 

including all raw material sources; (4) shipping and receiving; (5) storage; (6) water and ice 

supply; (7) mail handling; (8) personnel security; and (9) transportation, shipping, and receiving.

10.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS must be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division. The FDSS verifies that operators of food 

establishments have implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal 

actions against the food under their control. An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating 

company’s adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and 

Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.

10.1.2 Food defense section of the Plant Systems Audit (PSA). When required in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a food defense audit will be conducted as part of the 

PSA. The audit will be conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division auditors. This verifies 

that operators of food establishments have implemented measures to minimize the risk of 

tampering or other criminal actions against the food under their control. The food defense 

section of the PSA verifies the participating company’s adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for 
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Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures 

Guidance.

10.2 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the product manufacturer will be required to provide evidence, by certificate, that 

the manufacturing plant has undertaken one of the following quality assurance measures within 

12 months prior to providing a bid or no later than 10 business days from the date of the 

awarding of the contract. Failure to provide this documentation within the proper time frame 

may result in the contract being terminated for cause.

10.2.1 Plant survey. A plant survey conducted by USDA, AMS, or other survey performed by 

a third party auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the 

contract. An AMS plant survey audit verifies that, at the time of the survey, the manufacturer 

produces products in a clean sanitary environment in accordance with Current Good 

Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food (21 CFR Part 

110).

10.2.2 PSA. A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS, or other audit performed by a third party 

auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the contract. 

An AMS PSA verifies the manufacturer's capability to produce products in a clean sanitary 

environment in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, 

Packing, or Holding Human Food (21 CFR Part 110), and verifies that the manufacturer has in 

place an internal quality assurance program. 

10.3 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor must certify that the beverage bases distributed 

meet or exceed the requirements of this CID. The manufacturer/distributor must certify via a 

Certificate of Conformance or other adequate documentation (as specified by the purchaser) that 

the beverage bases meet the analytical requirements specified in Sec. 7 of this CID.

10.4 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality and acceptability or both be determined, the USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division, 

must be the certifying program. SCI Division inspectors must certify the quality and 

acceptability of the beverage bases in accordance with SCI Division procedures, which include

selecting random samples of the beverage bases, evaluating the samples for conformance with 

the salient characteristics of this CID and other contractual requirements, and documenting the 

findings on official SCI Division score sheets and/or certificates. In addition, when required in 

the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, SCI Division inspectors will examine the beverage 

bases for conformance to the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) 

in effect on the date of the solicitation.

11. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking must be 

commercial unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.
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12. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 10.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

contract, or purchase order, USDA certification must include evaluation of the quality and 

condition of samples of beverage bases and compliance with requirements in the following 

areas:

- Processing guidelines (Sec. 5).

- Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

- Analytical requirements when specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order

(Sec. 7). When USDA analytical testing is specified, SCI Division inspection personnel 

must select samples and submit them to the USDA, Science and Technology Program

(S&TP) laboratory for analysis.

- Packaging requirements (Sec. 11 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order).

13. REFERENCE NOTES.

13.1 USDA services.

13.1.1 USDA certification and Plant Survey. For a USDA certification and plant survey 

contact the Associate Director, Inspection Operations, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 

Room 1536 South Building, STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 

20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-2482, fax (202) 720-0393, or via E-mail: 

Nathaniel.Taylor@ams.usda.gov.

13.1.2 USDA FDSS and PSA. For a USDA FDSS and PSA contact the Chief, Auditing 

Services Branch, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Room 1536 South Building, STOP 0240, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-5021, 

fax (202) 260-8927, or via E-mail: fvaudits@ams.usda.gov.

13.1.3 Analytical testing and technical information contact. For USDA technical 

information on analytical testing, contact a member of the Laboratory Approval and Testing 

Division, S&TP, AMS, USDA, STOP 0272, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 

DC 20250-0272, telephone (202) 690-0621 or via E-mail: KerryR.Smith@ams.usda.gov.

13.2 Sources of documents.

13.2.1 Sources of information for nongovernmental documents are as follows:

Copies of the AOAC International OMA may be obtained from: AOAC International, 2275 

Research Boulevard, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850-3250, telephone (301) 924-7077. 

Internet address: http://www.aoac.org for nonmembers and http://www.eoma.aoac.org for 

members and AOAC OMA subscribers. 
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Copies of the Food Chemicals Codex and U.S. Pharmacopeia may be purchased from: United 

States Pharmacopeia Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20877, 

telephone (800) 227-8772 or (301) 881-0666, Fax (301) 816-8148 or on the Internet at: 

http://www.usp.org. 

13.2.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows:

Applicable provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers are contained in 7 

CFR Part 42, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR Parts 500 to 503, and 

the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. These 

documents may be purchased from: Superintendent of Documents, New Orders, P.O. Box 

979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/ NOVUS, 

and American Express) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of 

Documents on (866) 512-1800, (202) 512-1800. These documents may also be obtained free 

of charge on the Internet at: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.

Copies of Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance is available online from: FDA, Center for Food Safety and 

Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation

/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm. 

Copies of this CID and the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) are

available from: Director, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

STOP 0240, Washington, D.C. 20250, via E-mail: CIDS@ams.usda.gov or on the Internet 

at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cids and

http://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/condition-food-container-manual.

Copies of this CID are also available online at: ASSIST Online (https://assist.dla.mil) or 

ASSIST Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil) or from the Standardization Documents 

Order Desk, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services, Building 4D, 700 

Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094. 

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any data 

which may improve this document should be sent to: DLA Troop Support, ATTN: DLAFTSA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092 or Fax (215) 737-2963, or via Email: dscpsubsweb@dla.mil.
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MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP

HHS - FDA

Army - GL USDA - SCP

Navy - SA VA - OSS

Air Force - 35

DLA - SS

Review Activities PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Army - MD, QM DLA - SS

Navy - MC

(Project No. 8960-2015-001)

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency 

of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil.

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions 

participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national 

origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 

family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation 

for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all 

programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, 

large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter 

addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the 

complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an 

equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.