United States Department of Agriculture 

1400 Independence Avenue, 

S.W. - Room 3522 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. 

Room 3522-S, STOP 0239 

Washington, DC 20036 

SOLICITATION 

Master/Shortfall Invitation 

Bid invitation Overview 

Information 

Description: 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

Bid invitation number: 2000009914 

Purchasing Group: AMS-Fruit and Veg 

Bid Timezone: Central Time 

Start Date: 02/12/2024 10:00:00 

Offer Due Date : 02/23/2024 15:00:00 

Opening date: 02/23/2024 15:00:00 

Invitation Type : Master 

Additional requested information: 

Amendment Text : 

(Amendment 0001)(02/12/2024) 

--The purpose of this amendment is to add each state to this solicitation that allows the vendor to 

place a bid on every state. CP 2/12/2024 

Tendering text - Header : 

CCC Purchase Fresh Vegetables Products (Russet Potatoes), SOLICITATION NO. 2000009914 

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests offers to sell Fresh Vegetable Products pursuant 

to the attached Invitation for Bids (IFB) solicitation document for use in the National School Lunch 

Program (NSLP) and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Awards will be announced 

by Midnight, March 1, 2024. Deliveries are to be made between July1, 2024 through December 31, 

2024. 

**********Offerors must submit a unit price in WBSCM, for delivery to EACH STATE, inclusive of all 

costs associated through final delivery. A price is required for every state and all state prices must be 

determined fair 

and reasonable for a bid to be determined responsible.************** 

There is a probationary period for new-to-AMS contractors and existing contractors bidding on new 

products in which awards are limited to 10 truckloads per product. Contractor must demonstrate 

successful delivery of at least five (5) truckloads of [new] product in order to be removed from 

probationary status on future solicitations. For the purposes of this rule, successful delivery is defined 

as product delivered on-time and in acceptable condition according to the terms and conditions of the 

contract. 

The incorporated terms of any subsequent contract and obligations for both the awardee and 

Government can be found in: 

1) The tendering text of this solicitation 

2) The AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement # Domestic Programs, often referred to as 

the MSCP (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM) 

3) The applicable Commodity Specification Documents (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM) 

4) Vegetable Invitation for Bids (IFB) IDIQ (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM) 

SOLICITATION-SPECIFIC DETAILS 

All offerors should reference the Fresh Vegetable CCC Invitation for Bids (IFB) IDIQ 2000009883 

document 

attached to the solicitation for more information. 

Products grown and packed in crop year 2023 onwards will be accepted for this solicitation. 
 Page 2 / 6 

SOLICITATION Information 

Master/Shortfall Invitation Description: 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

Bid invitation number: 2000009914 

SET-ASIDES 

101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG 10/5 LB: 100% SB 

The inspection for this award will be performed at origin. 

Vendors or subcontractors who are supplying fresh vegetables are required to undergo and pass the 

USDA AMS SCP Specialty Crop Inspection Division (SCID) Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good 

Handling Practices (GHP) verification audits, and must score at least 80% on each of the following 

scopes for each product being offered: 

GAP - Farm Review AND Field Harvesting & Field Packing Activities GHP - House Packing Facility AND 

Storage & Transportation 

1. Grade - U.S. No. 1. 

2. Washed. 

3. Pack Size Requirement # 

a. 50 pounds cartons, size 100 or 110 

b. 50-pound paper bags, size A except, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum and contain at least 40 

percent which are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces in weight or more 

c. 10/5-pound bags, size A except, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum and contain at least 40 

percent which are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces in weight or more. 

4. Packing shall be at least fairly tight or fairly well filled. 

All these requirements must be met PRIOR to the bid opening date. 

Brokers are exempt from the USDA GAP/GHP requirements themselves, HOWEVER 

suppliers/subcontractors 

performing under the contract must have the applicable USDA GAP/GHP certification(s). Verification 

audits shall be performed by the USDA, AMS, SCP-SCID representatives only. All audits are valid for 

one year after the date the audit was conducted. More information on USDA GAP/GHP audits can be 

found here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp or by reaching out to 

scaudits@usda.gov 

Awardees may ship and supply from any location found here: 

https://apps.ams.usda.gov/GAPGHP/reportG01.aspx 

If USDA/AMS finds that suppliers used by the contractor are not in compliance with AMS GAP/GHP 

certification 

requirements after the product is delivered, the following courses of action will apply: 

1. A cure notice shall be issued informing the contractor of their failure to comply with the required 

elements of this 

solicitation. The USDA will then deduct a 50% discount from the invoice for all noncompliant deliveries 

shipped or 

invoiced prior to the date listed on the cure notice. 

2. If the contractor ships noncompliant product after the date of the cure notice: 
 Page 3 / 6 

SOLICITATION Information 

Master/Shortfall Invitation Description: 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

Bid invitation number: 2000009914 

a. USDA/AMS will deduct a 50% discount from the invoice for all noncompliant deliveries; 

b. The contract will be terminated for cause; and 

c. The contractor will be suspended from participating in all future USDA/AMS fresh fruit and vegetable 

solicitations 

for a period of one year from the date of contract termination. 

This solicitation may show multiple stops on some line items; however, the number of stops will be 

limited to a 

maximum of three. To determine the number of destinations, review the "Tendering Text" for the lot, 

which will 

indicate the City and State for each stop. Bidders may submit different prices for each stop. However, 

a price is 

required on all line items within the lot. 

For offshore destinations (Puerto Rico, Hawaii, etc.), offerors have the option to choose to enter their 

bids direct to 

the offshore destination or to the port. 

Purchases will be made on an f.o.b. destination basis to cities on this solicitation. Destination quantities 

listed are 

estimates and subject to adjustment based on offerings, changes in recipient needs, market conditions, 

and 

program operations. All prime vendors are reminded that they are prohibited from subcontracting with 

companies or individuals that have been suspended or debarred. 

In order to be found responsive the contractor and/or its subcontractors/suppliers must be 

compliance with USDA GAP/GHP certification. Offerors must include in their bid the GAP and GHP 

Audit Verification Document, which is found in the attachments section of this solicitation. 

Offerors who do not complete this document in its entirety, do not include the document as an 

attachment to their bid, or are missing the required USDA GAP/GHP scopes listed above must be 

deemed nonresponsive. 

Inspection must be performed by SCI Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service only. Inspections 

under the Partners in Quality (PIQ) and Customer Assisted Inspection Program (CAIP) programs are 

not accepted for Commodity Procurement purchases. All audits are valid for one year after the date the 

audit was conducted. More information on USDA GAP/GHP 

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. 

Offerors are cautioned to bid only quantities they can reasonably expect to produce and deliver by the 

required by delivery period. 

Offerors who intend to use more than one processing plant and shipping point for contracts awarded 

under this solicitation, other than the processing plant and shipping point entered in their bids, may 

submit a list of their approved processing plants and shipping points on a separate sheet of paper to 

be uploaded in WBSCM, and to be submitted with their proposals. Purchases will be made on an f.o.b. 

destination basis to cities on this solicitation. Destination quantities listed are estimates and subject to 

adjustment based on offerings, changes in recipient needs, market conditions, and program operations. 
 

-----------------------------------

Page 4 / 6 

SOLICITATION Information 

Master/Shortfall Invitation Description: 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

Bid invitation number: 2000009914 

All prime vendors are reminded that they are prohibited from subcontracting with companies or 

individuals that have been suspended or debarred. 

Offers must be submitted electronically via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management System 

(WBSCM). Offers submitted by any means other than WBSCM will be deemed nonresponsive. Offerors 

must be active in WBSCM and have the required bidder roles in order to submit offers under this 

solicitation. Once connected, follow the online procedures. A "HELP" button provides detailed 

instructions or call (202) 720-4517 for assistance. 

Offerors are cautioned to bid only quantities they can reasonably expect to produce and deliver. 

Inquiries about the Master Solicitation dated November 2023; Inquiries for this Solicitation should be 

directed to the Contracting Officer; USDA, AMS, Room 3522-South; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; 

Washington, D.C. 20250-0239.Telephone: (202) 720-4517. FAX: (202)720-2782. 

The USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on 

the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and 

where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or 

part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic 

information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not 

all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To file a complaint of 

discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 

1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free 

Customer Service), (800)877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). 

See attached documents: 

1 . MSCP-D 11-7-2023

 2 . Fresh Vegetables Invitation for Bids CCC

 3 . GAP and GHP Audit Verification Document

 4 . EXHIBIT 2 Estimates

 5 . Part B_Schedule Fresh Veg (2)

 6 . Commodity Specification for Fresh Vegetables

 7 . Amendment 1 
 Page 5 / 6 

SOLICITATION Information 

Master/Shortfall Invitation Description: 

Bid invitation number: 

12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

2000009914 

Attributes : 

OFFEROR CERTIFIES THAT THE OFFER IS MADE SUBJECT TO THE MASTER SOLICITATION; 

COMMODITY SUPPLEMENT AND/OR SPECIFICATION(S); THIS SOLICITATION; THE AGRICULTURE 

ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (AGAR) AND THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR). Timely 

performance: 

Timely performance: Offeror and any subcontractor have completed required performance of any 

USDA contract prior to this bid opening. 

Permitted values: - Have been delivered 

- Have not been delivered 

- Have not been delivered, but the Offeror has notified the Contracting Officer 

- There are no existing contracts/purchase orders 

OFFEROR REQUESTS HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS PRICE EVALUATION PREFERENCE. APPLIES 

ONLY TO FIRMS CERTIFIED IN THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION#S HUBZONE PROGRAM 

(FAR SUBPART 19.13).MUST BE THE MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER OF THE PRODUCT TO RECEIVE 

A PRICE PREFERENCE 

Furnish name, title, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of person submitting this bid 

(must be an officer of the company or a person authorized to execute contracts/purchase orders on 

behalf of the bidder). 

1A) Offeror certifies that the information submitted in GS1 GDSN will be kept up-to-date (to reflect 

changes in product attributes, such as changes to the ingredient or allergen statement) until the end 

of the contract period. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/GS1_GDSN_ListofRequiredProducts.xlsx. 

Offeror certifies that complete and accurate product information will be submitted to GS1 GDSN no 

later 20 days after contract award, if the awarded contract includes item(s) from the List of 

Required Products for GS1 GDSN reporting. 

1C) Offeror certifies that the information submitted in GS1 GDSN will be kept up-to-date (to reflect 

changes in product attributes, such as changes to the ingredient or allergen statement) until the end 

of the contract period. 

Offeror acknowledges receipt of the amendment(s) to the solicitation. Select N/A if no amendment 

was issued to the solicitation. 

Permitted values: - YES (Comment: Yes) 

- NO (Comment: No) 

- N/A (Comment: N/A) 

Bid invitation Item details 

Item Material Description Quantity 

10 VEGETABLE, FRESH 

20 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 

144,000.000 

CS 
 Page 6 / 6 

SOLICITATION Information 

Master/Shortfall Invitation Description: 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 

Bid invitation number: 2000009914 

Item Material Description Quantity 

Total Quantity for POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB CS 

144,000.000 

Total Quantity for Invitation CS 

144,000.000 

Amendment Details 

Amendment : 12-3J14-24-B-0260-0001 Date : 02/12/2024 

Action Item Material Description Type 

Field Old Value New Value UOM 

See comments in the amendment header text for specific details.