Approved by RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

__________________________________________________________________________

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

101 Diced Chicken, Fully Cooked, Frozen (100101) – This item is produced from readyto-cook chickens. 

110 Sodium – Sodium content shall not exceed 150 mg per 100 g.

120 Packing – Eight (8) 5-pound or four (4) 10-pound immediate packages shall be 

packed in a 40-pound net weight fiberboard shipping container.

130 Delivery Unit – Each delivery unit shall consist of 1,000 shipping containers totaling 

40,000 pounds.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, AMS, SSD FPPSDiced Chicken, Fully Cooked, Frozen – August 2022: 

210.1 AMS/LP Program/Quality Assessment Division (QAD) Policies and Procedures 

210.2 Poultry Products Inspection Regulations (9 CFR § 381).

210.3 Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry 

(AMS 70.200 et seq., 9 CFR § 381.170 to 172).

210.4 AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs 

(MSCP-D) and Solicitation. 

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

310 Domestic Products – Refer to the U.S. Origin Product Section of the MSCP-D. 

320 Food Defense – Refer to the Food Defense Requirements Section of the MSCP-D. 

FEDERAL PURCHASE PROGRAM 

SPECIFICATION (FPPS) FOR 

DICED CHICKEN, FULLY COOKED, 

FROZEN

APPROVED

Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program

Standards and Specifications Division (SSD)

Room 2092 S-Bldg., Phone: (202) 567-1757

Supersedes: Diced Chicken August 2017 – Changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: August 2022
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

400 HARVESTING

410 All harvesting activities shall comply with all applicable Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (FSIS) regulations and requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, and shall be 

done under FSIS inspection.

420 Humane Handling – All poultry shall be humanely handled in accordance with FSIS 

Directive 6110.1 Verification of Poultry Good Commercial Practices. 

500 PROCESSING

510 All processing activities shall comply with all applicable FSIS regulations and 

requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, and shall be done under FSIS inspection. 

511 Date Processed – The commodity shall not be processed or packaged more than 90

days prior to the first date of the delivery period for each sales order. 

512 Lot Definition – A lot is the amount of packaged commodity produced during a 

processing shift.

512.1 Sub-Lot – Contractor shall clearly identify sub-lot size and maintain the identity and 

traceability of each sub-lot.

520 Performance Standards – Product shall be produced under FSIS pathogen 

reduction standards, as specified in 9 CFR § 381. 

 

521 Inspection for contract and FPPS compliance shall be in accordance with the 

Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades (AMS 70.200 

et seq.). The AMS Grader shall be responsible for certification of compliance with 

the requirements of this FPPS for chicken; preparation, processing, and freezing of 

the dices; packaged frozen dices; packing; labeling and marking; sampling; 

laboratory results; and net weight.

522 AMS Certification – Procedures to be followed and a schedule of fees for these 

services may be obtained by contacting the nearest QAD field office at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/qad-procedures or by contacting:

USDA, AMS, Livestock and Poultry Program, Office of the Deputy Administrator, 

STOP 0249, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 2092-S, Washington, DC 

20250-0249, Office Phone Number (202) 690-5705. 

523 All steps in the manufacturing process shall be under the direct supervision of an 

AMS Grader and as outlined in QAD Policies and Procedures for quality and 

compliance with product requirements. The AMS Grader may also select samples 

for laboratory analyses or inspect the commodity at any point including transit and 

after delivery to point of destination. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

530 Class – The commodity shall be prepared from freshly slaughtered ready-to-cook 

hens (mature female chickens), (AMS 70.201 (f)), weighing 4.00 pounds (1.81 kg) or 

more per carcass without neck and giblets, or broilers (AMS 70.201(c)) without neck 

and giblets.

531 Chicken from Other Plants – Chicken carcasses and parts may be transferred or 

obtained from other processing plants, provided it: 

531.1 has been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this FPPS; and 

531.2 complies with the freshly harvested, organoleptic, temperature, and other applicable 

requirements of this FPPS as evidenced by USDA certification. USDA certification 

may occur either at the plant of origin or at the receiving plant.

532 Type, class, and specific name of the product, part, boneless, skinless part or meat; 

harvest date as applicable; and the USDA-assigned plant number shall be shown on 

each shipping container.

533 The chilled chicken and parts shall maintain an internal product temperature 

between 26°F (-3.3°C) and 40°F (4.4°C) during transit, from plant origin to 

destination.

534 Meat Time Requirements – The chilled commodity shall be processed, packaged, 

packed, and placed in a freezer within 7 calendar days after the harvest date. 

540 Organoleptic Requirements – Meat shall be examined on a continuous basis for 

organoleptic requirements (Table 1). If the meat does not comply with the 

organoleptic requirements, the meat the samples represent shall be rejected for use 

under this FPPS.

541 Unacceptable Meat – No frozen or previously frozen chicken shall be used. Skin, 

wing meat from the third wing portions, neck meat, giblets, and kidneys from cooked 

chicken carcasses shall not be used to prepare the dices. 

541.1 Mechanically separated (comminuted), finely ground, flaked, finely chopped, or size 

reduced chicken meat shall not be used.

542 Two Options Available for Chicken Meat:

542.1 Cooked carcass – pulled meat or, 

542.2 Raw boneless/skinless meat.

543 Bone and Other Defects (Table 1) – A 5-pound (2.27 kg) sample of meat shall be 

drawn and examined for bone and other defects prior to dicing. 

543.1 When the meat is formulated on a weight basis (minimum 50 percent white 

meat/maximum 50 percent dark meat), 2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) of white meat and 

2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) of dark meat shall be drawn and examined separately for 

bone defects. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

543.2 The frequency of sampling and number of samples examined shall be those 

outlined in QAD Sample Plan Level 3 (SPL-3). Any sample with bone or hard bonelike material shall be counted as a defect under SPL-3. 

543.3 If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or result in 

a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects shall be increased to a 

sample drawn twice each sampling interval until the cumulative number of bone 

defects reverts back to the “target” level. 

543.4 If the sample has more defects than the maximum tolerance for the sample plan, the 

product the sample represents shall be rejected.

550 Processing Sequence – Unless otherwise specified, formulation; mixing; cooking, 

cooling; packing; and freezing of the commodity shall be a continuous process that 

complies with the time and temperature requirements of this FPPS.

551 Preparation of Cooked Meat for Dicing – The commodity shall be prepared from 

pulled (deboned) cooked white and dark meat according to one of the following 

methods: 

551.1 cooked white and dark meat in natural proportion is removed from the cooked whole 

chicken carcass. 

551.2 formulated on a weight basis to contain a minimum of 50 percent cooked white meat 

and a maximum of 50 percent cooked dark meat. The method used by the 

Contractor shall have established control procedures, processing sequence, product 

flow, and methods for handling either the pulled cooked white and dark meat or the 

boneless meat to ensure that:

551.2.1 the natural percentage of cooked white and dark meat is maintained, 

551.2.2 no white meat is removed for other uses, and 

551.2.3 no dark meat is added from other sources. These procedures and methods shall be 

reviewed and found acceptable by Supervisory personnel of QAD before they can 

be used to produce white and dark meat for this FPPS.

552 12 Percent Added Solution (Optional) – Chilled boneless, skinless meat may be 

tumbled, massaged, or injected with added solution of water (up to 10 percent), 

processing aids, and phosphates (sodium or potassium) not to exceed a total of 12 

percent added solution before cooking.

552.1 Processing aids (e.g., anti-caking, anti-dusting agents, or other manufacturing aids)

and antimicrobial agent(s) are allowed. If processing and/or antimicrobial agent(s)

are used, the ingredients and amount of ingredients listed in the formulation shall 

remain the same.

552.1.1 Antimicrobial Agent(s) shall be approved USDA antimicrobial agents and used 

within the allowable concentration levels set forth by USDA (FSIS Directive 7120.1 

Rev. 56 and 9 CFR 424.21 (c)). 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

552.2 Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), flavorings (9 CFR § 381.118(c)), soy, and glutencontaining ingredients are not allowed.

552.3 Sodium Requirement – The sodium content of the cooked commodity shall be no 

more than 150 mg per 100 g basis as evidenced by the Nutrition Facts Panel.

552.4 Reprocessing/Rework – Only raw or undercooked boneless, skinless white/dark 

meat may be reprocessed by cooking.

560 Dicing – The pulled cooked white and dark meat shall be mechanically diced to 

“0.50-inch (1.27 cm) dices” or “nominal 0.50-inch (1.27 cm) by 0.50-inch (1.27 cm) 

dices.” 

561 Organoleptic and Defect Requirements for Dices

561.1 Organoleptic Requirements – The diced chicken shall be sampled on a continuous 

basis for compliance with the organoleptic requirements shown in Table 1. Any 

diced chicken that does not comply with the organoleptic requirements shall be 

rejected for use under this FPPS. 

561.2 Defect Requirements – A 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample of diced chicken shall be drawn 

and examined for bone and other defects shown in Table 1, in a thawed state. The 

frequency of sampling and number of samples examined shall be those outlined in 

QAD’s Sample Plan Level 2 (SPL-2). The examination for bone shall be made 

separately from the examination for the other defects under SPL-3. 

561.2.1 Regardless of the kind and number of defects (within Table 1) found, any sample 

with bone or hard bone-like material greater than 0.40 inch (1.02 cm) shall be cause 

for rejection of the product the sample represents.

561.2.2 If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or results in 

a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects shall be increased to a 2-

pound (0.91 kg) sample drawn twice each sampling interval until the cumulative 

number of bone defects reverts back to the “target” level. 

561.2.3 Product represented by a sample with more defects than the maximum tolerance for 

the sample plan shall be rejected.

562 Sieve Test – The AMS Grader shall use either an 8-inch (20.32 cm) or 12-inch 

(30.48 cm) diameter sieve to determine dice size requirements. For the 8-inch 

(20.32 cm) sieve, the AMS Grader shall split the 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample in half 

and test each separately. For the 12-inch (30.48 cm) sieve, the AMS Grader shall 

test the entire 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample. 

562.1 Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can be retained on a U.S. 

standard 0.75-inch (1.90 cm) sieve.

562.2 Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can pass through an U.S. 

standard 0.25-inch (0.64 cm) sieve.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

562.3 Rejected Product – The Contractor may request that the rejected packages of 

frozen dices be re-examined on the basis of a stationary lot. The number of shipping 

containers that shall be examined are outlined in 7 CFR § 70.10. One sample shall 

be examined from each shipping container sampled. The individual results of each 

sample examined with each size of screen (Section 562.1) shall be averaged. When 

the average for both sizes of screens comply with the dice size requirement, the 

stationary lot is acceptable for use under this FPPS.

563 The internal product temperature shall be lowered to 10°F (-12.2°C) or lower within 

24 hours from the time the commodity enters the freezer.

563.1 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line chilling/freezing system shall be 

packaged and placed in a freezer. The internal product temperature shall be 

lowered to 10°F (-12.2°C) or lower within 24 hours from the time the commodity 

enters the freezer.

563.2 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line chilling/freezing system with internal 

product temperatures 10°F (-12.2°C) or lower is compliant with the 24-hour freezing 

requirement.

570 Metal Detection – Commodity shall be examined by a metal detection device 

capable of detecting metallic contaminants including, but not limited to, stainless 

steel shavings, metal clips, metal fragments from cutting equipment, and pieces of 

metal according to QAD policies and procedures. 

570.1 Commodity found to be contaminated with metal shall be handled in accordance 

with FSIS procedures. Other procedures for the examination of the commodity shall 

be approved by SSD in writing. 

580 Microbiological Requirements – Sampling and Laboratory Analyses

581 Lot – For the purpose of microbiological testing, a lot is defined as the amount of 

finished Diced Chicken produced within a day, which shall be further divided into 

sub-lots. A sub-lot is the amount of product produced in one hour or a volume not to 

exceed 15,000 pounds. Contractor shall maintain the identity and traceability of 

each sub-lot. 

582 Samples for Laboratory Analyses – The samples for laboratory analysis shall be 

collected at random from each sub-lot in an aseptic manner under the supervision of 

the AMS Grader.

582.1 For every sub-lot, three 0.50-pounds (0.23 kg) samples from each package sampled 

shall be collected. Costs incurred for sampling supplies, sampling, shipping the 

samples, and the laboratory analysis shall be paid by the Contractor. The three 

samples from each sub-lot shall be used as follows:

582.1.1 One for microbiological analyses at a USDA or USDA-approved laboratory. 

582.1.2 One for the Contractor. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

582.1.3 One for a reserve sample. 

583 The frozen commodity samples shall be maintained in a frozen state. 

584 The samples for the Contractor shall be given to the Contractor after all the samples 

for the lot has been drawn and prepared. 

585 The reserve samples shall be identified as such and shall be retained in a freezer 

under the control of the AMS Grader. These samples shall be used for laboratory 

analyses when the original samples are lost or arrive at the USDA or USDAapproved laboratory in an unacceptable condition, or when requested by SSD. 

585.1 If the reserve samples are not used, they shall be returned to the Contractor.

586 A sub-lot of packaged frozen commodity shall comply with the following 

microbiological requirements when sampled and analyzed.

586.1 Standard plate count shall not exceed 1,000 colony forming units (CFU)/gram. 

586.2 Coliform count shall not exceed 50 CFU/gram. 

586.3 Escherichia coli (E. coli) results shall be less than 10 CFU/gram. 

586.4 Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) results shall be less than 10 

CFU/gram. 

586.5 Salmonella shall not be detected.

586.6 Listeria monocytogenes shall not be detected.

587 If any sample from a lot is found to exceed a critical limit or produce a positive 

result, it shall be ineligible and shall be diverted from the AMS purchase program. 

The Contractor shall maintain record of the diverted product and make it available to 

AMS agents upon request. 

587.1 The USDA or USDA-approved laboratory shall immediately notify FSIS and SSD of 

all confirmed pathogens.

590 Approved Laboratories – The samples for laboratory analyses may be submitted to 

the USDA or a USDA-approved laboratory listed on the AMS Laboratory Approval 

Service website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/microbiological. 

591 Laboratory Analysis – Information on sample analysis, including sample handling 

and preparation, methods, and reporting of results, can be found in the 

requirements document titled Laboratory Approval Program for the Microbiological 

Testing of Poultry Products for the Federal Purchase Program.

591.1 This document is located on the AMS Laboratory Approval Service website: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/microbiological. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

600 PACKAGING AND PACKING

610 Packaging - All packaging material shall comply with FSIS regulations 

 (9 CFR § 381.144 Packaging Materials). Diced chicken shall be packed in 

polyethylene-film bags with a wall thickness of not less than 3 mil (0.003 inch) and 

sealed (tamper-evident). 

610.1 All packaging and packing materials shall be clean and in new condition, shall not 

impart objectionable odors or flavors to the dices, shall be safe (cannot adulterate 

product or be injurious to health) for use in contact with food products, and shall be 

tamper-evident. Tamper-evident is defined as packaging and packing materials with 

one or more indicators or barriers to entry, which, if breached or missing, can 

reasonably be expected to provide visible evidence that tampering has occurred. All 

packaging material shall comply with FSIS regulations (9 CFR § 381.144(c)). 

610.2 The diced chicken shall be packaged in a manner that allows for separation of the 

dices after freezing. Separation may be achieved by commercially acceptable 

methods.

611 Metal wire ties, paper-coated wire ties, or staples shall not be used for sealing 

polyethylene-film bags.

612 Closure methods shall be approved by a QAD representative. 

620 Packing – Eight (8) 5-pound or four (4) 10-pound immediate packages shall be 

packed in a 40-pound net weight shipping container.

621 The Contracting Officer may designate a specific packing orientation in the 

Solicitation.

630 Shipping Containers – Shipping containers shall: 

630.1 be good commercial fiberboard containers that are acceptable by common or other 

carrier for safe transport to point of destination, 

630.2 be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging,

630.3 withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage, and 

630.4 be closed by commercially accepted methods and materials. Steel or wire straps 

shall not be used for final closure.

631 Staples shall not be used for final closure of shipping containers. Adhesive or 

staples cannot be used to fasten the top portion of telescope-style containers to the 

bottom portion. Staples may be used to manufacture and to assemble the 

fiberboard shipping containers, provided the staples are fastened into the container 

and tightly clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the commodity into 

the shipping containers.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

700 LABELING

710 Shipping containers shall comply with the National Motor Freight Classification, or 

the Uniform Freight Classification, as applicable. Both immediate (packaging 

material) and shipping containers shall be labeled to include all information required 

by FSIS regulations.

720 CN Labeling information or a Product Formulation Statement demonstrating product 

contribution to the National School Lunch Program meal pattern requirements is 

required. For more information on the CN Labeling Program, see the section for 

Food Manufacturers/Industry on the FNS website: 

 http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnlabeling/child-nutrition-cn-labeling-program 

730 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements shall be on shipping 

containers. The ingredient statement, even for single ingredient foods, shall be 

included as a statement separate from the name of the product, e.g. Ingredients: 

_____________. The allergen statement shall be provided in the format which 

complies with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) 

for any product which contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, 

peanuts, soy or wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______. For additional 

guidance refer to the Compliance Guide At:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import/Allergens-Ingredients.pdf 

740 Commercial (retail, consumer) labeling shall be used.

741 Commercial Labeling Requirements

741.1 Commercially labeled packages and shipping containers shall be labeled in 

accordance with FSIS generic label approval requirements for use under this FPPS. 

Packages shall comply with commercial labeling requirements and must meet the 

Commodity/Packaging Labeling Requirements Section of the MSCP-D.

741.2 Labels shall be the processor’s own commercial label. 

741.3 Traceable Product – The processor shall establish a product identification and 

record system that clearly links product by place and time of manufacture to specific 

USDA contracts and destinations. When the company uses the same commercial 

label for the product certified as complying with this FPPS and commercial product, 

the identification system shall differentiate between USDA and non-USDA products. 

An alpha numeric code may be used for information that is in addition to FSIS 

labeling requirements. The required product identification and record system, 

including codes, shall be reviewed by USDA/AMS before production begins for the 

contract(s).

750 Unacceptable Labeling 

751 Commercial labels that do not have a processor traceability system and code.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

752 Commercial labeling traceability coding and systems that have not been reviewed 

by a QAD representative. 

753 Distributor Commercial Labels

754 Two or more different commercial labels in the same delivery unit.

730 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

731 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a seavan are required to show 

the final destination’s overseas address as provided in the Sales Order/Item 

Number. The address shall be clearly printed on at least two sides of each panel.

800 FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

810 Packaging Defects – Packages in a delivery unit shall be examined for defects that 

affect protection, expose product, permit dehydration or freezer burn, or quality 

deterioration during storage, such as tears, holes, or improperly sealed packages.

811 Packing Defects – Shipping containers in a delivery unit shall be examined for 

condition, labeling, and marking defects according to the United States Standards 

for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR § 42). 

812 Tolerance for Defects – If samples of packaged commodity or the shipping 

containers in a delivery unit have more defects than the maximum tolerance for the 

applicable QAD sample plan, the delivery unit shall be rejected.

820 A delivery unit shall consist of 1,000 shipping containers with a net weight of 40,000 

pounds. 

821 A bill of lading shall also be included for acceptance of the designated commodity. 

821.1 Refer to the Bill of Lading Notations Section of the MSCP-D. 

822 Test Weighing Procedures

822.1 The tare weight of all packing materials shall be determined by weighing a 

representative sample of all packaging components such as plastic-film bags, clips, 

and fiberboard containers.

822.2 The USDA Grader shall conduct on-line verification of net weights. A Federal-State 

Supervisor, QAD, LP Program (or their designee), shall determine that the facilities 

and procedures are in accordance with the applicable QAD’s Policies and 

Procedures for this FPPS.

830 Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity

831 Visual Inspection – Frozen cooked commodity showing any evidence of defrosting, 

refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be rejected for use under this FPPS. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

831.1 A defect for condition of dices is a sample (package) in which dices are stuck 

together in clumps and cannot be easily and readily separated without removing 

from the bag. Sample size shall be one 10-pound (4.54 kg) package drawn from 18 

shipping containers randomly selected from the delivery unit. If four or more 

samples (of the 18 samples examined at the time of loading) are found to contain 

the defects described, the delivery unit shall be rejected. Frozen cooked commodity 

showing any evidence of defrosting, refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be 

rejected for use under this FPPS. 

832 Internal Product Temperature

832.1 Frozen – Commodity shall be 2°F (-16.7°C) or lower at the time of loading. Delivery 

units with internal product temperatures exceeding 2°F (-16.7°C) and up to 5°F (-

15°C) shall be tentatively rejected. Tentatively rejected delivery units may be 

returned to the freezer and the temperature reduced to 2°F (-16.7°C) or lower and 

reoffered one time only. Delivery units exceeding 5°F (-15°C) or delivery units that 

have been tentatively rejected and exceed 2°F (-16.7°C) when reoffered shall be 

rejected for use under this FPPS. 

832.2 Optional temperature verification – The Contractor may request an alternate method 

utilizing product temperature-sensing devices. If this option is selected, a FederalState Supervisor shall determine that the facilities, equipment, procedures, and the 

Contractors’ current level of freezing compliance are in accordance with the 

established guidelines outlined in the applicable LP Program’s instructions for this

FPPS. 

840 Inspection and Checkloading

841 For inspection and checkloading at time of shipping, the Contractor shall utilize 

either USDA Grader or Contractor Checkloading to certify. The Contractor shall 

notify USDA AMS QAD staff prior to production. The requirements for selection are 

as follows:

842 USDA Grader Checkloading Requirements – Inspection for contract compliance 

shall be made by a USDA representative, in accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS 

regulations, and this FPPS, at site of processing, both during and after processing 

and packaging. Inspection records shall be complete and made available to USDA, 

as requested, to assure contract compliance.

842.1 Procedures – The inspection and checkloading shall be performed by the AMS

Grader. Procedures to be followed and a schedule of fees for these services may 

be obtained by contacting the nearest QAD field office at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/qad-procedures or by contacting:

USDA, AMS, Livestock and Poultry Program, Office of the Deputy Administrator, 

STOP 0249, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 2092-S, Washington, DC 

20250-0249, Office Phone Number (202) 690-5705. 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

842.2 The quality, quantity, weight, packaging, packing, and checkloading of the 

commodity shall be evidenced by certificates issued by the AMS Grader. The 

Contractor shall not ship the commodity unless informed by the AMS Grader that 

the designated commodity to be shipped meets the requirements of the MSCP-D,

Solicitation, and this FPPS.

843 Contractor Checkloading Requirements – Inspection for final contract compliance 

shall be made by the Contractor, in accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulations, 

and this FPPS. The quality, quantity, weight, packaging and packing of the 

commodity shall be evidenced by a Certificate of Conformance that verifies the 

designated commodity to be shipped meets all the requirements as stated in this 

FPPS, MSCP-D and Solicitation. 

843.1 Procedures – The Contractor shall perform checkloading examinations at the time 

of shipment – as described in this FPPS starting at the section labeled Loading and 

Shipping Frozen Commodity and sections thereafter – and shall issue a 

corresponding Certificate of Conformance (Exhibit 1). The Contractor is required to 

provide an acceptance document to accompany each shipment. Additional details 

are found in the Bill of Lading Notations Section of the MSCP-D. 

843.2 Contractor inspection records and checkloading documentation shall be complete 

and maintained, including the Certificate of Conformance, and made available to 

USDA, as requested, to assure Contractor Checkloading compliance. Contractor 

checkloading shall be reviewed by USDA under AMS LP QAD 623 Contractor 

Checkloading Surveillance Program at the cost of the Contractor. 

900 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

910 All products shall be stacked on new or well-maintained pallets and palletized with 

shrink wrap plastic, unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation. Pallet loads shall 

be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the shipping containers over 

the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping container’s principal display 

panel to facilitate certification examinations.

920 Size and Style of Container – Only one size and style of shipping container shall be 

used in any one delivery unit.

1000 SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY

1010 Shipment and Delivery, including Loading and Sealing, Delivery Notifications and 

Split Deliveries – Refer to Section 4A52.247 of the MSCP-D. 

1011 In addition, the Contractor shall adhere to the following provisions:

1011.1 Each shipping container shall be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance stamp

with the applicable production date. An AMS Grader, or other authorized personnel 

under the supervision of the AMS Grader, shall stamp one end of each shipping 

container online. If there is inadequate space available on either end of the shipping 

container, the stamp may be applied to a side of the container.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

1011.1.1 As an alternative to stamping, the Contractor may preprint the stamp on the 

shipping container or label. Prior approval by QAD is required before using this 

alternative method.

1012 A copy of the Contractor’s Certificate of Conformance and Bill of Lading or 

the original USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate issued at time of 

checkloading shall accompany each shipment.

1100 DESTINATION EXAMINATION

1110 If requested, the cost of a destination examination, before or after delivery, by an 

AMS Grader on accepted product shall be for the account of USDA. Costs for 

destination examinations of rejected delivery units shall be for the account of the 

Contractor. The origin AMS Grader shall make arrangements for destination 

examination prior to delivery.

1111 Commodity Requirements – Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity may 

be examined by an AMS Grader on a spot-check basis for temperature, condition, 

identity, and when applicable, count. The commodity may be examined for 

conformance to contract provisions at any time required by the Contracting Officer. 

1112 Temperature – The commodity shall arrive at destination at an average internal 

product temperature not to exceed 10°F (-12.2°C) with no individual temperature 

exceeding 15°F (-9.4°C) when shipped, during transit, and when received at the 

destination plant. When any sample exceeds 15°F (-9.4°C) the purchase unit shall 

be rejected for use under this FPPS. 

1200 PRODUCT ASSURANCE AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

1210 Product Assurance – The Contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with 

all FPPS requirements and provisions set forth in the FPPS, MSCP-D and 

Solicitation.

1220 Waiver and/or Contract Amendment Requests – Contractor shall submit all waiver 

and/or contract amendment requests directly to the Commodity Procurement (CP) 

Program Contracting Officer for review and determination. Full list of CP Program

contacts can be found at:

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

ffContactList.pdf 

1230 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be the 

responsibility of the Contractor. These procedures shall include: a point of contact, 

investigation steps, intent to cooperate with AMS, and product replacement or 

monetary compensation. The procedures shall be used to resolve product 

complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

TABLE 1

Organoleptic Requirements and Defects for Meat

Organoleptic

Requirements:

Cooked Diced Chicken

Meat shall: (a) not be rancid; have a fruity, sulfidelike, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorine-like, 

other foreign or other foreign off-odors; not contain 

foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, metal,

plastic, wood); or show evidence of mishandling or 

deterioration; and (b) have a bright color and show no 

evidence of dehydration or thawing and refreezing. 

Dices shall: (a) not be rancid; not have a metallic, 

overcooked, burnt, scorched, bitter, oxidized, stale, fruity, 

beany, oily, soapy, or other flavors or odors foreign to 

properly prepared and cooked diced chicken; and (b) not 

contain foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, 

metal, plastic, wood).

Defects – Meat

Bone: 

A defect for meat is the presence of:

Bone or hard bone-like material equal to or less than .40 

inch (1.02cm) is a defect. A bone found in length greater 

than .40 inch (1.02cm) is cause for automatic rejection. 

Other:

Skin

Cartilage (gristle), tendon or tendinous material, ligament or 

ligamentous material that is soft-like in texture. 

Dark-colored (due to blood) artery or vein greater than 0.30 

inch (0.76 cm) in length. 

Bruises or blood clots which exceed an area equivalent to a 

circle with a diameter of 0.25 inch (0.64 cm). 

An aggregate area of all discolorations with moderate 

intensity which exceeds an area equivalent to a circle with 

a diameter of 0.50 inch (1.27 cm). 

An aggregate area of skin greater than 1 square inch 

(6.45 cm). 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 06/10/12

Date Revised: 08/18/2022

Exhibit 1. Contractor Checkloading and Certificate of Conformance Requirement 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE FOR

THE PROCUREMENT OF DICED CHICKEN PRODUCT

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE

I certify the following:

(1) On [delivery date(s)], [Contractor’s name] furnished the (insert the appropriate 

commodity description) called for by Purchase Order Number via [Carrier] under 

Sales Order Number/Item number(s): . 

(2) The (insert the appropriate material name) is of the quality specified and conforms 

in all respects with the purchase order requirements, including the FPPS, Master 

Solicitation for Commodity Procurement – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D), and 

Solicitation. 

(3) Product identification, (i.e. production lot number(s)) is in the quantity shown on the 

attached acceptance document.

(4) Contractor assures all meat or meat products used in fulfilling this contract was 

produced in the United States as defined in the AMS MSCP-D. 

Date: 

Signature: 

(Signed by an officer or representative authorized to sign offers)

Title: