How to Become a Certified USDA 

Vendor

Sean Frey, Contracting Officer

Andrea Lang, Small Business 

Specialist
Get Started: 6 Steps 

1. Review AMS Master Solicitation - contract clauses, provisions 

and requirements

2. Review Product Specifications to determine what you can supply

3. **Get Approved: Review Qualification Requirements, Submit 

Application Package

4. Receive Solicitation and “Sharpen Your Pencil”

5. Submit Offer in WBSCM

6. Get Awarded, Perform, Get Paid
**Step 3. Get Approved: New Vendor Application

“Qualifications Requirements for Prospective Contractors”-

Responsible Prospective Contractor’s Documentation (FAR 9.104-1 

and FAR 9.104-3)

System for Award Management Registration (www.sam.gov), 

in accordance with FAR Part 4.11

 WBSCM Vendor Registration Form

Company Letter certifying capability to perform

Three (3) Letters of Reference

 Current Audited or Reviewed Financial Statements, in 

accordance with FAR 9.104-1 (a) and FAR 9.104-3 (a)
**Step 3. Get Approved: New Vendor Application

“Qualifications Requirements for Prospective Contractors”-

Responsible Prospective Contractor’s Documentation (FAR 9.104-1 

and FAR 9.104-3)

If you are a non-manufacturer, you will also need:

Supplier Letter

Complaint and Dispute Resolution Proposal

Non-manufacturers that are small businesses, must use suppliers 

that are considered small businesses in order to qualify for a set 

aside, in accordance with 13 CFR 121.406(b)
**Step 3. Get Approved: New Vendor Application

 Application sent to Andrea at NewVendor@ams.usda.gov

 Financial Statements are sent to financial officer for review

 Application then sent to AMS Contracting Officer for approval

 Please make sure your company has passed the necessary 

inspections, food defense audits, and plant surveys prior to 

submitting a bid

To apply for fruit and vegetable auditing services, contact the SCI division

Audit Services Branch at:

Telephone: (202) 720-5021

Fax: (202) 260-8927

Email: FVAudits@ams.usda.gov
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. The bid is due today, will my application be approved in time?

A. No, after the vendor application is submitted, approval may take 5-10 business days.

Q. I did not get approved in time to bid on a solicitation, will there be more opportunities 

to bid?

A. Yes, depending on the commodity, solicitations are sent out on a quarterly, bi-annually, 

or annually basis. The solicitation schedule is posted on our website: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/solicitations

Q. Where can I find information regarding solicitations?

A. Purchase announcements are always announced in FedBizOps, weeks before a 

solicitation comes out, www.fbo.gov. You may also join our email list in order to receive 

information on solicitations, awards, etc.
Small Business Information

As part of the Small Business Act of 1953 and FAR 19, Congress stated that the government 

should “aid, counsel, assist, and protect, insofar as possible the interests of small business 

concerns in order to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the 

overall economy of the nation.”

 AMS must maintain competition, so we must have at least two approved small business 

vendors to set-aside

 Set Asides are reviewed annually and approved by the contracting officer and subject to 

change during the year

 USDA provides small business procurement goals for each agency to meet

 Please be sure to utilize your local SBA office for more information:

https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance
Questions??
Points of Contact

Andrea Lang

(202) 720-4237

andrea.lang@ams.usda.gov or NewVendor@ams.usda.gov

Sean Frey

(202) 430-2739

Sean.Frey@ams.usda.gov