1

Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR BULK PACK 

CHICKEN AND CHICKEN 

PARTS

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

Room 2624 S, Phone: (202) 692-0342

Supersedes: Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Parts April 2013

– Changes from previous requirements in blue

 Effective: October 2018

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

110 Bulk Pack, Small (100100) – Chilled, ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens for further 

processing without necks and giblets. Frozen and/or weight range may be specified 

in the Solicitation. The individual chicken weight range shall be 2.50 to 3.75 pounds, 

without neck and giblets. A purchase unit shall total 36,000 pounds. 

120 Bulk Pack, Large (100103) – Chilled, ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens for further 

processing without necks and giblets. Frozen and/or weight range may be specified 

in the Solicitation. The individual chicken weight range shall be 3.75 pounds and 

over, without neck and giblets. A purchase unit shall total 36,000 pounds. 

130 Chicken Legs, Bulk Parts (100113) – Chilled for further processing, either from

ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds per whole carcass, 

without necks and giblets; or legs weighing 5 to 19.0 ounces each. “Large legs” 

may be specified in the Solicitation and shall weigh more than 13.6 ounces each. 

Frozen and/or weight range may be specified in the Solicitation. A purchase unit 

shall total 36,000 pounds. 

140 Thighs, Bulk Parts (100114) – Chilled (without back portion) for further processing,

either from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds per 

whole carcass, without necks and giblets; or thighs weighing 2.50 to 10.50 ounces 

each. Frozen and/or weight range may be specified in the Solicitation. A purchase 

unit shall total 36,000 pounds.

150 Drumsticks, Bulk Parts (100115) – Chilled for further processing, either from readyto-cook broiler/fryer chickens weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds per whole carcass, without 

necks and giblets; or drumsticks weighing 2.50 to 7 ounces each. Frozen and/or 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

weight range may be specified in the Solicitation. A purchase unit shall total 36,000

pounds.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, AMS, FSCS

Division FPPS-Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Parts – October 2018:

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 and Solicitation.

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

310 Domestic Products – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements.

320 Food Defense – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity 

Procurements. 

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 6100.3.

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.

520 Performance Standards – Product must be produced under FSIS pathogen 

reduction standards, as specified in 9 CFR § 381. 

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

60 days prior to the first day of the delivery period.
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

540 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 for Poultry 

(AMS 70.200 et seq.). The AMS Grader shall be responsible for certification of 

compliance with the requirements of this FPPS for whole chicken; chicken legs, leg 

quarters, thighs, drumsticks, and chicken parts; freezing; packaging and packing; 

labeling and marking; net weight; sampling; and checkloading.

541 AMS Certification – USDA/AMS, LP Program’s QAD field office or the Director of

QAD, LP Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-5705. 

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

AMS Grader and as outlined in QAD Policies and Procedures. Quality and 

compliance with product requirements shall be determined in accordance with QAD

policies and procedures. The AMS Grader may also select samples for laboratory 

analyses or inspect the commodity at any point in transit and after delivery to point

of destination.

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

processing shift.

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

traceability of each sub-lot.

550 Class and Style – The commodities shall be prepared from freshly harvested readyto-cook chickens (broiler/fryers, AMS 70.200 et seq.). Individual carcasses and 

parts of chickens shall conform to the definitions and standards in AMS 70.210 and 

70.210.

560 U.S. Grade – Grading shall be in accordance with 7 CFR § 70 and AMS 70.200 et 

seq. Grading shall be under the supervision of an AMS Grader using the LP

Program’s Sample Plan Level 1 (SPL-1) for Grade A parts and Sample Plan Level 2 

(SPL-2) for Grade B parts.

561 Bulk Pack, Small (100100) and Drumsticks, Bulk Parts (100115) – Grade A for all 

factors except Grade B quality for exposed flesh.

562 Bulk Pack, Large (100103), Chicken Legs, Bulk Parts (100113), and Thighs, Bulk 

Parts (100114) – Grade B or Better.

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

obtained from other processing plants provided it: 

570.1 has been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this FPPS, and 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

570.2 complies with the organoleptic and other applicable requirements of the FPPS as 

evidenced by USDA certification. USDA certification may occur either at the plant 

of origin or at the receiving plant.

571 Limited substitution of donated commodity is allowed in the state reprocessing 

program provided certified commercial product of the same quality is used. 

Substituted commodity shall meet the General Requirements section in the QAD 

Instruction 630a Poultry Substitution Guidelines.

572 Type, class, U.S. Grade; date harvested as applicable; and the USDA-assigned 

plant number shall be shown on each shipping container.

573 The chilled chicken and parts shall be at an internal product temperature between 

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

574 Frozen Chicken – Frozen chicken and chicken parts may be used if they have 

been:

574.1 packaged to protect the product from freezer burn, dehydration, and quality 

deterioration during storage, 

574.2 labeled as to kind and class of poultry and identified so the time in storage can be 

determined, and 

574.3 held in frozen (0 oF/-17.8 oC) storage for not more than 180 days.

575 Commodities Summary Table (Table 1)

576 Meat Time Requirements – The commodity shall be chilled to an internal product 

temperature of 40 oF (4.4 oC) or lower immediately after processing.

576.1 Chilled commodity shall be delivered to destination within 5 calendar days after 

the date of harvest.

576.2 Frozen commodity shall be processed, packaged and packed, and placed in a 

freezer within 7 calendar days after the date of harvest.

576.2.1 The chilled commodity shall be placed in a freezer immediately after packaging or 

packing and be frozen to an internal product temperature of 10 °F (-12.2 °C) or 

lower within 72 hours from the time of entering the freezer.

580 Organoleptic Requirements – The chilled ready-to-cook chicken and chicken parts 

shall be examined on a continuous basis for the following organoleptic 

requirements: chilled chicken and chicken parts shall be free of rancidity; free of 

fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorine-like, or other foreign 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

and off-odors; free of foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, plastic, wood, 

metal); shall show no evidence of mishandling or deterioration; and shall have a 

bright color and show no evidence of dehydration or freezing and thawing. 

590 Individual Weight Requirements (Table 1)

591 Bulk packed carcasses or parts shall be examined for compliance with the individual 

weight requirements. A sample of 10 carcasses or parts shall be randomly drawn 

and weighed.

592 Compliance with individual part weight requirements shall be made prior to 

packaging. The frequency of sampling shall be according to LP Program’s

SPL-2. 

593 Contractor Option – Bulk parts may be produced from broiler/fryer chickens that 

weigh 2.50 to 7 pounds without necks and giblets, or the bulk parts may be sampled 

and weighed for compliance with the individual weight requirements. 

600 PACKAGING AND PACKING

610 The contractor shall assure that all packaging, packing, labeling, closure, marking, 

and palletization comply with the National Motor Freight Regulations and FSIS 

regulations and the requirements listed below.

620 Packaging – All packaging and packing materials shall be clean and in new 

condition, shall not impart objectionable odors or flavors to the commodity, shall be 

safe for use in contact with food products (cannot adulterate product or be injurious 

to health). All packaging material shall comply with FSIS regulations

(9 CFR § 381.144(c)).

621 Plastic-film Bags – Bags for packaging and/or packing the commodity shall be a 

polyethylene-film bag with a wall thickness of not less than 2 mil (0.002 inch); and 

shall protect the commodity from dehydration, freezer burn, or quality deterioration 

during the conditions of use. Closure methods shall be approved by a 

representative of the QAD. Metal wire ties, paper-coated wire ties, or staples shall

not be used for sealing plastic-film bags.

630 Packing

631 Chilled Commodity – Shall be delivered to the destination as specified in the 

shipping instructions in commercial containers with a commercial cooling medium; 

for example, 

631.1 in wax-coated fiberboard containers, 

631.2 in covered combo bins or tanks, or 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

631.3 packaged in plastic-film bags and packed in fiberboard shipping containers. 

631.3.1 For bulk chickens, more than one chicken may be packaged in a bag. The bags

need not be vacuum packed.

632 Frozen Commodity – Shall be delivered to the destination: 

632.1 packaged in plastic-film bags and packed in fiberboard boxes or commercial bulk 

containers; or 

632.2 For bulk chickens, more than one chicken may be packaged in a bag. The bags

need not be vacuum packed.

640 Shipping Containers – Shipping containers shall:

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

carrier(s) for safe transport to point of destination, 

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

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

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

shall not be used for final closure. 

641 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.

700 LABELING

710 Shipping Containers – USDA-assigned plant number, type and name of commodity, 

date of production (in easily readable character size in day/month/year format), and 

net weight of commodity shall be shown on each container, tank, or bin. 

711 In-Plant Deliveries – The contractor shall label and mark the end product(s) 

according to requirements of the State distributing agency. 

720 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

721 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a refrigerated 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 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

each pallet.

800 FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

810 Loading and Shipping Commodity

811 Internal Product Temperature

811.1 Chilled – Commodity shall be held between 26 °F (-3.3 °C) and 40 °F (4.4 °C) at 

time of delivery.

811.2 Frozen – Commodity shall be 2 °F (-16.7 °C) or lower at 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.

811.2.1 Optional Temperature Verification – The contractor may request an alternate 

method utilizing product temperature-sensing devices. If this option is selected, a

Federal-State 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 USDA, AMS, LP Program’s

instructions for this FPPS.

811.2.2 Visual Inspection – Frozen commodity showing any evidence of defrosting, 

refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

820 Inspection and Checkloading

821 Requirements – Inspection for contract compliance shall be made by a USDA 

representative, in accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulatory requirements, and 

this FPPS at the 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.

822 Procedures – The inspection and checkloading shall be performed by an AMS

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

be obtained by contacting the nearest QAD field office or the Director of QAD, LP

Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence Avenue, 

SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-5705. 

822.1 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 
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

designated commodity to be shipped meets the requirements of the AMS Master 

Solicitation for Commodity Procurements, Solicitation, and this FPPS.

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 – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements. 

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 certificate number. An AMS Grader or other authorized 

personnel under the supervision of the AMS Grader shall stamp one end of each 

shipping container prior to shipment. If there is inadequate space available on 

either end of the shipping container, the stamp may be applied to a side of the 

container.

1011.2 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 original USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate issued at time of 

checkloading shall accompany each shipment. 

1012.1 Railcar or Piggyback – The certificate shall be placed in the railcar or trailer for easy 

access to the AMS Grader, warehouseman, or consignee, as applicable.

1012.2 Trucks – The driver shall, upon delivery, give the certificate to the AMS Grader, 

warehouseman, or consignee, as applicable.
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

1020 Loading and Sealing of Vehicles

1021 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1030 Delivery Notification

1031 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1040 Split Deliveries

1041 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1100 DESTINATION EXAMINATION

1110 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 

1112.1 Chilled commodity shall arrive at destination at an internal product temperature 

between 26 °F (-3.3 °C) and 40 °F (4.4 °C).

1112.2 Frozen 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). 

1112.3 Commodity not meeting these requirements shall be rejected for use under this 

FPPS. 

1200 PRODUCT ASSURANCE AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

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

FPPS requirements and provisions set forth in the AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements and Solicitation.

1211 Waiver and/or Contract Amendment Requests – Contractor shall submit all

requests directly to the Commodity Procurements Staff (CPS) Contracting Officer 

for review and determination. Full list of CPS contacts can be found at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMS%20Commodity%20Procur

ement%20Staff%20Contact%20List.pdf
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Approved by: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

1220 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: CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/01/2018

TABLE 1 – COMMODITIES SUMMARY TABLE

ITEM AND 

MATERIAL 

CODE

BULK PACK,

SMALL

(100100)

BULK PACK, 

LARGE

(100103)

CHICKEN LEGS, BULK

PARTS

(100113)

THIGHS, BULK PARTS

(100114)

DRUMSTICKS, 

BULK PARTS

(100115)

Types

Class

Style

Weight Range

U.S. Grade:

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

Whole

2.50-3.75 pounds per

ready-to-cook whole 

carcass, without necks

and giblets

U.S. Grade A for all

factors, except breasts 

may be U.S. Grade B 

quality for exposed

flesh

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

Whole

3.75 pounds and over 

per ready-to- cook

whole carcass, without 

necks and giblets

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

5.00 to 19.00 ounces each,

or from ready-to-cook, 

whole, weighing 2.50 to 7

pounds, without necks and

giblets. Large legs shall be 

13.6 ounces or more

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook without back

portion

2.50 to 10.50 ounces each, or

from ready-to- cook, whole

weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds, 

without necks and giblets

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

2.50 to 7.00 ounces each, or

from ready-to-cook, whole,

weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds, 

without necks and giblets

U.S. Grade A for all factors, 

except U.S. Grade B quality

for exposed flesh