Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Program

Specialty 

Crops 

Inspection

Division

Commodity Specification

Fresh Vegetables

October 2014
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date October 2014 Page 2 of 9

Table of Contents

I. GENERAL.............................................................................................................................. 3

A. U.S. Standards..................................................................................................................... 3

B. Exceptions to U.S. Standards.............................................................................................. 3

C. Product Origin..................................................................................................................... 3

D. Kosher Products.................................................................................................................. 4

E. Packing Season ................................................................................................................... 4

F. Containers and Packing....................................................................................................... 4

G. Palletization Requirements ................................................................................................. 5

H. Shipment and Delivery ....................................................................................................... 5

I. Prerequisites........................................................................................................................ 5

J. Vendors Supplying Fresh Cut Products.............................................................................. 6

II. INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS........................................................... 6

A. Carrots (Baby-Cut, Peeled)................................................................................................. 6

B. Corn (Husked)..................................................................................................................... 7

C. Onions................................................................................................................................. 7

D. Potatoes............................................................................................................................... 8

E. Sweet Potatoes.................................................................................................................... 8

F. Tomatoes............................................................................................................................. 8

III. INSPECTION AND CHECK-LOADING ........................................................................... 8

A. Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 8

B. Procedures........................................................................................................................... 9

IV. FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................... 9
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 3 of 9

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.F. 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, 
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 4 of 9

Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division (USDA Inspector) when requesting 

inspection service. 

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. Primary Containers (Cartons, Crates, RPCs, Bags, Sacks):

a. All products shall be packed in new, good, clean primary containers so 

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

transportation for domestic shipment.

b. When secondary containers are present, vendors have the option to use 

commercial labeling on the primary containers. If the primary container is 

labeled, it must meet all applicable FDA requirements and contain a code which 

allows traceability of the product in the event of a recall. If a specific variety, size, 

and/or color are required per the solicitation, that variety, size, and/or color shall 

also be listed on the primary container.
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 5 of 9

2. Secondary Containers (Bags)

a. Vendors shall use commercially acceptable secondary containers which meet all 

applicable FDA requirements and contain a code which allows traceability of the 

product in the event of a recall.

b. In addition to any commercial markings, each secondary container shall show the 

grower or shipper name(s) and address. If a specific variety, size, and/or color are 

required per the solicitation, that variety, size, and/or color shall also be listed on 

the secondary container. 

G. Palletization Requirements

1. Pallets

Products must be on 48 X 40 inch, non-reversible, flush stringer, and partial four-way 

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, SCI

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. 
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 6 of 9

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.

J. 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, SCI Division. 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 monocytogenes.

** The Fruit and Vegetable Program, SCI 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 inches 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 
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 7 of 9

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. 

5. 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.

6. 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.
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 8 of 9

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.

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

5. Types of Varieties – 50 pounds cartons –Russet, Baking 

10/5 pounds bags – Irish, Round, White, or Russet

6. 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 – 40 lb. 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. 

III. INSPECTION AND CHECK-LOADING

A. Requirements

1. Representatives of the AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, SCI Division (USDA

Inspector) must perform the inspection and check-loading (see section IX. A of the
SCI Division Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: October 2014 Page 9 of 9

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.

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.