1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Room 3932-S

Washington, D.C. 20250-0201

Commodity Specification

Fresh Vegetables

August 2012
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

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August 2012

Table of Contents

I. GENERAL.............................................................................................................................. 1

A. U.S. Standards....................................................................................................................... 1

B. Exceptions to U.S. Standards................................................................................................ 1

C. Product Origin....................................................................................................................... 1

D. Kosher Products.................................................................................................................... 2

E. Packing Season ..................................................................................................................... 2

F. Containers and Packing......................................................................................................... 2

G. Palletization Requirements ................................................................................................... 3

H. Shipment and Delivery ......................................................................................................... 3

I. Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................... 3

II. INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................... 4

A. Carrots (Baby-Cut, Peeled)................................................................................................... 4

B. Corn (Husked)....................................................................................................................... 5

C. Onions................................................................................................................................... 5

D. Potatoes................................................................................................................................. 5

E. Sweet Potatoes...................................................................................................................... 6

F. Tomatoes............................................................................................................................... 6

III. INSPECTION AND CHECK-LOADING ........................................................................... 6

A. Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 6

B. Procedures............................................................................................................................. 7

IV. FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................... 7
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

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I. General

A. U.S. Standards

Fresh vegetables (product/commodity) produced under this Commodity Specification 

must meet the requirements specified in the applicable United States Standards for 

Grades of Fresh Vegetables (U.S. Standards) or Commercial Item Description (CID) 

effective on the date of the Solicitation/Invitation for Bid (IFB). The U.S. Standards and 

CIDs are published separately and are incorporated herein and made a part of this 

Commodity Specification. 

B. Exceptions to U.S. Standards

Additional exceptions may be specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. Any 

exceptions contained in the applicable Solicitation/IFB shall have precedence over the 

requirements contained herein, for that Solicitation/IFB only. 

C. Product Origin

1. Commodities delivered pursuant to this Commodity Specification shall have 

originated from crops that have been 100 percent grown, processed, and packed in 

the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 

or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, (hereinafter referred to as the United 

States). See Section I.E. of the Master Solicitation.

2. If the contractor handles any commodity originating from sources other than the 

United States, the contractor must have a written plan to segregate the commodity. 

This segregation plan will include an identification and record system for all 

commodities to ensure they are completely segregated and cannot be used to fulfill 

purchase orders awarded by USDA. Such segregation plan must be made available, 

within 10 days of purchase order award, to representatives of the Agricultural 

Marketing Service (AMS). 

3. The contractor must maintain positive written documentation records evidencing 

100 percent domestic origin to the grower level. Contractors must also ensure that 

the documentation provided by any subcontractors demonstrates the same level of 

traceability. The burden of proof of compliance is on the contractor. 

Documentation may include load or warehouse storage receipts for raw product 

(i.e., bin tags), product blend (formulation) records, product coding explanations, 

finished product warehousing records, shipping or payment records, or other 

documentation or evidence that clearly establishes the product's domestic origin. 

4. Contractors must provide the domestic origin certification and supporting 

documentation records to representatives of the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program, 

Processed Products Division (USDA Inspector) when requesting inspection service. 
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USDA Inspectors will select and review at least one code for each purchase order to 

determine compliance with the Agency's domestic origin requirements. 

5. Such records must be available for review by the Government in accordance with 

FAR 52.214-26. In the event of an audit, AMS auditors will examine as many 

codes as is necessary to verify compliance.

6. Self-certifications by contractors and subcontractors will not be accepted.

7. Failure to observe this requirement may lead to suspension or debarment, purchase 

order termination, and penalties at Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code 

concerning falsification of information.

D. Kosher Products

Occasionally, purchase units will be identified on Solicitation/IFBs as “Kosher Only” and 

will be so identified in the Solicitation/IFB. Offerors must not bid on these purchase 

units unless they are properly certified to produce Kosher products. Vendors must 

comply with the applicable dietary (KOSHER) laws as established by the “613 

COUNCIL OF KASHRUTH.”

Vendors receiving purchase order items identified as “KOSHER” must contact the Board 

of Jewish Education of Greater New York (BJENY) at telephone 646-472-5365 prior to

submitting a bid to certify compliance with the applicable dietary (kosher) laws.

A rabbinic supervisor will be sent by the BJENY to certify compliance with the 

applicable dietary (KOSHER) laws.

E. Packing Season

All fresh vegetables must be from the current packing season/crop year, unless otherwise 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. 

F. Containers and Packing

1. The product delivered to USDA shall be packed in new, good quality cartons, so 

constructed as to ensure acceptance by common carrier or other carrier for safe 

transportation for domestic shipment. These cartons shall be of the same dimensions 

as those used in normal commercial transaction. These packing requirements provide 

that pack shall be at least fairly well filled. The tolerances applicable under such 

packing requirements shall apply.

2. The containers and case markings shall meet the United States Standards for 

Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42). In addition to any other commercial 

markings, each carton shall show the grower or shipper name(s) and address. In the 

case of apples and pears the variety, grade (state grade may be shown if in 

compliance with paragraph II) and size by count will be shown.
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G. Palletization Requirements

1. Pallets

Products must be on 48 X 40 inch, non-reversible, flush stringer, and partial fourway entry. New pallets must be good quality wood. Used pallets must be No.1 

hardwood or its equivalent in new softwood. Broken or damaged pallets are 

unacceptable. If pallet exchange is desired, the contractor shall arrange for pallet 

exchange with consignees. USDA is in no way responsible for arrangement of 

pallet exchange.

2. Unitization

Each delivery unit of canned fruit must be unitized. Shipping cases must be stacked 

and secured from top to bottom, so that each container and layer of containers 

becomes an integral part of the pallet. Either stretch wrapping with plastic film or 

“lock ‘n pop” is acceptable. The palletized product must be loaded in the 

conveyance in such a way that will prevent shifting and damage to the containers of 

product. 

H. Shipment and Delivery

1. Quantity Tolerance

Contractor will be allowed a tolerance on the final delivery of plus or minus 50 

cases of each product, from each shipping point in the purchase order.

I. Prerequisites

1. All vendors and/or suppliers providing fresh vegetables shall undergo a good 

agricultural practices and good handling practices audit of their operations. The 

audit must be conducted by the USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Fresh 

Products Division or licensed Federal-State auditors providing services under a 

cooperative agreement with USDA oversight. The audit conducted may be either 

the USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices (GAP&GHP) 

audit, the Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Audit, or the Tomato Audit 

Protocol audit, whichever is applicable to the commodity being purchased.

2. The audit must cover all parts of the operation which are applicable to the 

commodity being purchased. For example, a tomato purchase would require an 

audit of the fields, packing house, and storage facilities. 

3. A copy of the three acceptable audit standards is available on the USDA website at 

www.ams.usda.gov/gapghp, or from your local USDA or Federal-State inspection 

office. A listing of USDA and Federal-State inspection offices are also available on 

the website listed above.
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Vendors Supplying Fresh Cut Products:

1. Vendors are required to undergo an annual Plant Survey and Food Defense System 

Survey, or Plant Systems Audit (PSA) which shall be performed by the USDA, 

AMS, FV, Processed Products Division (PPD). Audit and survey checklists are 

available upon request.

2. Vendors must have a written Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-

based food safety plan in place. The HACCP plan shall include a microbiological 

testing program for the following: Salmonella, E. coli, Coagulase positive Staph. 

Aureus and Listeria Monocytogens.

** The Fruit and Vegetable Program, Processed Products Division must verify the 

vendors HACCP plan by performing a HACCP Verification Survey. **

II. Individual Commodity Specifications

A. Carrots (Baby-Cut, Peeled)

The baby-cut and peeled carrots shall comply with Commercial Item Description (CID) 

A-A-20191 – Effective on the date of the solicitation (published separately).

1. Type I – Peeled.

2. Style D – Baby-cut – 2 inches (5.08 cm) in length.

3. Size 2 – 9/16 inch to 13/16 inch in diameter.

4. Packing, Labels and Packaging:

i. The shipping cases must contain 100/2 ounce bags.

ii. Labels may be the vendors own commercially acceptable “brand” unless 

prohibited by the Invitation. Distributor’s “brand” labels are not acceptable.

iii. Primary Containers shall be new commercially acceptable bags which meet all 

applicable FDA requirements, that are heat-sealed, that afford adequate 

protection of the product, and are the size and type specified in the applicable 

Solicitation. The bags shall be suitably code marked so that the product can be 

identified and allows traceability of the product in the event of a recall. The 

bags shall be marked with the shelf life by using the “date”, “Use by”, “Best 

by”, “Best Before”, or “Sell by”. Other commercial markings are acceptable.

iv. Secondary Containers shall be new commercially acceptable good quality 

domestic corrugated fiberboard cases. Cases shall be suitably code marked so 

that the product can be identified and shall be marked with the shelf life by 

using the “date”, “Use by”, “Best Before”, “Best by”, or “Sell by”. “Keep 

Refrigerated” shall be clearly printed on each case. Other commercial 

markings are acceptable. 
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v. All processing and supporting documents verifying adherence to the product 

specification and product origin must be made available to a USDA, AMS, FV 

representative and shall be audited on a monthly basis. Packaged baby-cut 

carrots will be evaluated for compliance with the product specification at the 

time of the monthly audit.

5. Microbiological testing must be performed on each lot or code produced.

B. Corn (Husked)

1. Grade - U.S. No. 1, Husked. 

2. Cartons – packing shall be at least fairly tight or fairly well filled. 

3. Size – 4 inch minimum unless otherwise specified; Per Pallet – 80

4. Net weight – 24 pounds: Gross weight – 26 pounds.

5. Top ice is required on all shipments.

6. Refrigerated shipment at 34 to 36 F.

C. Onions

1. Grade – U.S. No. 1 or better (en route or at destination tolerances apply).

2. Size - Repacker/Prepacker (minimum diameter 1 3⁄4 inches and maximum 

diameter 3 inches) with at least 60 percent 2 inches or larger in diameter.

3. Onions in each offer unit ordered delivered by USDA shall contain product of not 

more than three (3) adjacent sizes. Each size shall be segregated in the shipment 

with a minimum of intermingling of the sizes. If shipment is by truck, the 

contractor shall note the location and count of each size in the truck (front, center 

and tail) on the shipping manifest.

4. Types of Pack - bags – 10/5lb. Mesh sacks to a shipping container.

5. Must be yellow or white color only.

D. Potatoes

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

2. Washed.

3. Pack and Size Requirement - 50 pounds cartons, size 100 or 110; 50 pounds bags, 

size A, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum. Packing shall be at least fairly tight 

or fairly well filled.
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4. Types – 50 pounds cartons –Russet, Baking -- 50 pounds bags - Irish or Round

White. 

5. The grade requirements referred herein are defined in the United States Standards 

for Grades of Potatoes, effective on the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

E. Sweet Potatoes

1. Grade – U.S. No.1

2. Washed

3. Pack Requirement – 40lb Carton

4. Destination Inspection Required

F. Tomatoes

1. Grade – U.S. Combination Grade, with at least 85% U.S. No. 1 Quality. 

2. The tomatoes shall be 5x6 (Florida size). In instances where the tomatoes were not 

packed to an “official” size, a minimum diameter of 2 25/32 inches will be required.

3. A minimum of 80% of the tomatoes in the lot must be either Turning or Pink.

4. Inspection will be at destination. It is the contractor’s responsibility to arrange for 

the inspection. Destinations with split shipments that are unspecified on the 

invitation are indicated by a single asterisk (*).

III. Inspection and Check-loading

A. Requirements

1. Representatives of the AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Fresh Products Division

(USDA Inspector) must perform the inspection and check-loading (see section IX. 

A of the Master Solicitation). The cost of inspection, samples taken for inspection, 

mailing of review samples submitted for evaluation, and any chemical analysis 

required for testing shall be for the account of the Contractor.

2. USDA inspection of fresh vegetables must be performed at destination. The count 

(number) of packages shall be certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection 

Service (see section IX. A of the Master Solicitation). The acceptability of the 

quality and packing of the product must be evidenced by certificates issued by the 

USDA Inspector.
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3. Representative sample units will be graded according to the Regulations Governing 

Inspection and Certification of Fresh Vegetables and Related Products (7 C.F.R. 

part 51), and United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 C.F.R. 

part 42.140), effective on the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

B. Procedures

The Contractor must give the USDA Inspector at least 72 hours advance notice 

when scheduling inspection service. Contractors are encouraged to submit requests 

for inspection in writing with verifiable receipt notice, such as fax log, to alleviate 

possible miscommunication.

IV. Failure to Meet Specifications

Any lot which fails applicable specifications prescribed herein will be rejected as 

not acceptable for delivery. If any lot of fresh vegetables fails to meet the product 

or packaging requirement, the Contractor may request in writing that USDA accept

delivery of the lot. USDA may at its option, accept delivery, provided that the 

purchase price is the purchase order price less a discount, to be determined by the 

Contracting Officer.