USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Commodity Procurement Staff

1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 3522-S, STOP 0239

Washington, DC 20250-0239

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

AMS Master Solicitation for 

Commodity Procurements

for Domestic Food Distribution Program Purchases

Commercial Item, Sealed Bidding

Effective: January 1, 2017
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AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements

for Domestic Food Distribution Programs Purchases

Commercial Item, Sealed Bidding

Effective Date: January 1, 2017

Contents

I. GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................................................................................... 5

II. CONTRACT CLAUSES............................................................................................................................. 7

A. 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY 2015)...................... 7

B. ADDENDA TO 52.212-4.................................................................................................................... 11

(a) Inspection/Acceptance – 52.212-4 Addendum......................................................................... 11

(c) Changes – 52.212-4 Addendum. .............................................................................................. 12

(e) Definitions – 52.212-4 Addendum. .......................................................................................... 12

(f) Excusable delays – 52.212-4 Addendum.................................................................................. 14

(i) Payment – 52.212-4 Addendum................................................................................................ 14

(o) Warranty – 52.212-4 Addendum.............................................................................................. 16

C. ADDITIONAL CLAUSES............................................................................................................. 17

4A52.201-1 Contracting Officer Representative ............................................................................ 17

4A52.204-1 Contract Closeout and Past Performance Evaluation ................................................ 17

52.209-1 Qualification Requirements (Feb 1995) ......................................................................... 17

52.211-11 Liquidated Damages—Supplies, Services, or Research and Development (Sep 2000)

........................................................................................................................................................ 18

52.211-16 Variation in Quantity (Apr 1984) ................................................................................. 19

452.211-73 Attachments to Specifications (Feb 1988)................................................................... 19

452.211-74 Period of Performance (Feb 1988)............................................................................... 20

452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (Feb 1988)................................................................ 20

4A52.211-1 Delivery Instructions................................................................................................... 20

4A52.211-2 Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) and Unloading Appointment................................ 20

4A52.211-3 Regulatory Requirements for Commodities and Packaging....................................... 21

52.214-26 Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding (Oct 2010) .......................................................... 21

52.214-28 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications—Sealed Bidding 

(Oct 2010)....................................................................................................................................... 22

4A52.225-1 U.S. Origin Product .................................................................................................... 22

4A52.225-2 U.S. Origin Product – Ingredient Waivers.................................................................. 23

52.232-1 Payments (Apr 1984)...................................................................................................... 23

52.232-11 Extras (Apr 1984) ......................................................................................................... 23

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (Apr 1984) ................................................................................. 23
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52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (Apr 1984) (applicable when checked)

........................................................................................................................................................ 24

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013) ......... 24

4A52.232-1 Contractor Expenses................................................................................................... 24

52.242-13 Bankruptcy (July 1995) ................................................................................................ 24

52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (Apr 1984)....................................................................... 24

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Sep 2016)............................................................. 25

52.246-11 Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement (DEC 2014)........................................... 26

4A52.246-1 Contract Quality Requirement .................................................................................. 26

52.246-15 Certificate of Conformance (Apr 1984)........................................................................ 28

452.246-70 Inspection and Acceptance Alternate I (Feb 1988)...................................................... 28

4A52.247-2 Special Instruction for Shipments to Puerto Rico....................................................... 29

52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination (Nov 1991)...................................................................................... 29

52.247-58 Loading, Blocking, and Bracing of Freight Car Shipments (Apr 1984)....................... 30

52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006)............... 30

452.247-70 Delivery Location (Feb 1988)...................................................................................... 31

4A52.247-1 Seals on Transportation Conveyances........................................................................ 31

4A52.247-2 Additional Shipping Requirements............................................................................. 32

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998)............................................................. 32

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms (Jan 1991).......................................................................... 32

D. 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—

Commercial Items (Dec 2016)................................................................................................................ 33

III. Contract documents, exhibits and attachments..................................................................................... 38

IV. Solicitation Provisions......................................................................................................................... 40

A. 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Oct 2016)................................................ 40

B. ADDENDA TO 52.212-1...................................................................................................................... 42

(b) Submission of offers. – Addendum to 52.212-1............................................................................ 42

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. – Addendum to 52.212-1............................................................ 42

(l) Debriefing. – Addendum to 52.212-1 ............................................................................................ 42

B. 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Oct 2014) ..................................................................... 42

C. 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items (Dec 2016)................. 43

D. Additional Provisions....................................................................................................................... 43

452.204-70 Inquiries (Feb 1988) ........................................................................................................ 43

52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (July 2013)............................................... 43

4A52.209-1 Past Performance with Regard to Offeror’s Present Responsibility ............................... 44

52.214-3 Amendments to Invitations for Bids (Dec 1989)................................................................ 45

52.214-4 False Statements in Bids (Apr 1984).................................................................................. 45
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4A52.214-1 Electronic Submission of Bids........................................................................................ 45

52.214-6 Explanation to Prospective Bidders (Apr 1984)................................................................. 47

52.214-10 Contract Award—Sealed Bidding (July 1990)................................................................. 47

52.214-12 Preparation of Bids (Apr 1984) ........................................................................................ 48

52.214-14 Place of Performance—Sealed Bidding (Apr 1985)......................................................... 48

4A52.214-3 Place of Performance – Sealed Bidding.......................................................................... 48

52.214-22 Evaluation of Bids for Multiple Awards (Mar 1990) ....................................................... 49

52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991) ............................................. 49

52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991) ......................................................... 49

52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984).............................................................................................. 49

52.219-2 Equal Low Bids (Oct 1995)................................................................................................ 49

452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information (Sep 2001) ............................................... 49

52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (Feb 1999)................................................. 50

52.225-25 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions 

Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications (Oct 2015)........................................................ 51

4A52.226-1 Farmer-Owned Cooperatives Participation..................................................................... 52

52.233-2 Service of Protest (Sept 2006)............................................................................................ 52

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998).......................................... 52

52.252-3 Alterations in Solicitation (Apr 1984)................................................................................ 52
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AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements

for Domestic Food Distribution Programs Purchases

Using Commercial Item, Sealed Bidding

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

This Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements (Master Solicitation), is used by the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), to provide contract clauses 

and solicitation provisions applicable to the solicitation of bids and award of contracts for various

commodities for use in domestic food distribution programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, 

Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and The 

Emergency Food Assistance programs. The Master Solicitation also provides general guidance to 

potential bidders and/or offerors. 

USDA will periodically issue solicitations under this Master Solicitation to purchase agricultural 

commodities and the products thereof (USDA Foods) for distribution through domestic food distribution

programs. USDA Foods under this contract must be a product of the United States (see clause

4A52.225-1 U.S. Origin Product). Specifications and program requirements are further defined in the 

appropriate commodity specification and/or supplement and are incorporated herein. 

The Master Solicitation is updated as necessary to incorporate changes in the Federal Acquisition 

Regulation (FAR), Agricultural Acquisition Regulations (AGAR), and AMS policies and procedures. 

Bidders should not assume that a copy of the Master Solicitation, once downloaded for a particular IFB 

will be applicable for subsequent IFBs. The effective date at the top of the Master Solicitation document 

governs which version of the Master Solicitation is applicable to particular solicitation/invitations for bids 

(IFB).

Awards will be made following the principles in the FAR and AGAR. The IFB will specify the 

commodity; delivery periods; destinations; quantities; the closing time for receipt of bids; acceptance 

date, and any solicitation provisions and contract clauses applicable to the proposed procurement which 

are in addition to, or different from, those contained in the Master Solicitation. The full texts of the 

applicable FAR provisions and clauses incorporated into the contract can be found at 

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html.

Offerors are advised to carefully read this Master Solicitation, the applicable IFB, and the applicable 

commodity specification/requirements and/or supplement. Failure to do so will be at the offeror’s risk. 

These documents are incorporated into the contract. Offerors are cautioned that statements made by 

Government personnel other than the Contracting Officer are not binding on the Government unless 

confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. 

Offer prices will be either f.o.b. (or f.a.s. vessel) at the destinations listed in the applicable IFB or on a 

shipping point basis. If f.o.b. destination, bids will be invited on a purchase unit basis or multiples thereof, 

except that from time to time the IFB will indicate two or more destinations in a line item which will 

require a split delivery (drop) at each destination. Delivery by either trucks or railcars is at the option of 

the Contractor except for those destinations which specify the method of delivery. If f.o.b. origin, delivery 

of the commodity will be made either f.o.b. railroad cars or trucks or in-store at USDA’s option, at the 

shipping points named in the IFB. 

To submit bids, a company must be approved by the Contracting Officer as meeting vendor qualification 

requirements. For information regarding how to become a qualified bidder, visit 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/commoditypurchasing, or contact the Contracting Officer.
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Offers, modifications, and withdrawals shall be submitted electronically via the Web Based Supply Chain 

Management Computer System (WBSCM). Submission of the aforementioned by any means other than 

WBSCM will be deemed nonresponsive. WBSCM is available online at: 

https://portal.wbscm.usda.gov/. See provision 4A52.214-1

This version of the Master Solicitation incorporates

FAR provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2005-91.
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II. CONTRACT CLAUSES

A. 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY 2015)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance.* The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to 

the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or 

services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of 

nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If 

repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may 

seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or 

services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights—

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the 

defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result 

of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any 

Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727). However, 

when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the 

Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract. 

(c) Changes.* Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written 

agreement of the parties. 

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71, Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties 

to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising 

under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 

52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently 

with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract. 

(e) Definitions.* The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference. 

(f) Excusable delays.* The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an 

occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, 

acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, 

fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common 

carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible 

after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, 

shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the 

Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence. 

(g) Invoice.

(1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if 

authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include—

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, contract line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of 

shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

(vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent;

(viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice 

only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.
8

(A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required 

elsewhere in this contract.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to 

be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance 

with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds 

Transfer—System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other 

Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures. 

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay 

by EFT.

(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315. 

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and 

agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or 

inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark or copyright, arising out of the 

performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and 

proceedings. 

(i) Payment.*—

(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been 

delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract. 

(2) Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment 

Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315. 

(3) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If the Government makes payment by EFT, see 52.212-5(b) 

for the appropriate EFT clause. 

(4) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed 

from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be 

considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified payment 

date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made. 

(5) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice 

payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice payment, the 

Contractor shall—

(i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a 

description of the overpayment including the—

(A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, 

liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment); 

(B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable; 

(C) Affected contract line item or subline item, if applicable; and

(D) Contractor point of contact.

(ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer.

(6) Interest. 

(i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract 

shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within 30 days of becoming due. The 

interest rate shall be the interest rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 

7109 , which is applicable to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this 

clause, and then at the rate applicable for each six-month period as fixed by the Secretary until the amount 

is paid. 

(ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is 

due under the contract.

(iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by 33.211 if—

(A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the existence 

or amount of a debt within 30 days;
9

(B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer 

within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid because the 

Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or

(C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the 

Contracting Officer (see 32.607-2). 

(iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment 

included in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment. 

(v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates:

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

(B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment 

resulting from a default termination. 

(vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved 

beginning on the due date and ending on—

(A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor;

(B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount 

otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or

(C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise 

have become payable to the Contractor.

(vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures prescribed 

in 32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect on the date of this contract. 

(j) Risk of loss. Unless the contract specifically provides otherwise, risk of loss or damage to the 

supplies provided under this contract shall remain with the Contractor until, and shall pass to the 

Government upon: 

(1) Delivery of the supplies to a carrier, if transportation is f.o.b. origin; or

(2) Delivery of the supplies to the Government at the destination specified in the contract, if 

transportation is f.o.b. destination.

(k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties. 

(l) Termination for the Government’s convenience. The Government reserves the right to terminate this 

contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall 

immediately stop all work hereunder and shall immediately cause any and all of its suppliers and 

subcontractors to cease work. Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a 

percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of 

termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Government 

using its standard record keeping system, have resulted from the termination. The Contractor shall not be 

required to comply with the cost accounting standards or contract cost principles for this purpose. This 

paragraph does not give the Government any right to audit the Contractor’s records. The Contractor shall 

not be paid for any work performed or costs incurred which reasonably could have been avoided. 

(m) Termination for cause. The Government may terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for cause 

in the event of any default by the Contractor, or if the Contractor fails to comply with any contract terms 

and conditions, or fails to provide the Government, upon request, with adequate assurances of future 

performance. In the event of termination for cause, the Government shall not be liable to the Contractor 

for any amount for supplies or services not accepted, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Government 

for any and all rights and remedies provided by law. If it is determined that the Government improperly 

terminated this contract for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience. 

(n) Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to items furnished under this contract shall 

pass to the Government upon acceptance, regardless of when or where the Government takes physical 

possession. 

(o) Warranty.* The Contractor warrants and implies that the items delivered hereunder are 

merchantable and fit for use for the particular purpose described in this contract. 
10

(p) Limitation of liability. Except as otherwise provided by an express warranty, the Contractor will 

not be liable to the Government for consequential damages resulting from any defect or deficiencies in 

accepted items. 

(q) Other compliances. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, 

executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this contract. 

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 

U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 

18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety 

Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to 

whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to 

procurement integrity. 

(s) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving 

precedence in the following order: 

(1) The schedule of supplies/services.

(2) The Assignments, Disputes, Payments, Invoice, Other Compliances, Compliance with Laws 

Unique to Government Contracts, and Unauthorized Obligations paragraphs of this clause;

(3) The clause at 52.212-5. 

(4) Addenda to this solicitation or contract, including any license agreements for computer software.

(5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.

(6) Other paragraphs of this clause.

(7) The Standard Form 1449. 

(8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.

(9) The specification.

(t) System for Award Management (SAM).

(1) Unless exempted by an addendum to this contract, the Contractor is responsible during 

performance and through final payment of any contract for the accuracy and completeness of the data 

within the SAM database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or 

incomplete data. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the Contractor is 

required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent 

updates its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating 

information in the SAM does not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for 

a properly executed contractual document.

(2)(i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, “doing business as” name, or division 

name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract, 

but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-of-name agreements in 

FAR Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one 

business day’s written notification of its intention to (A) change the name in the SAM database; (B) 

comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12; and (C) agree in writing to the timeline and procedures 

specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the notification 

sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name. 

(ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (t)(2)(i) of this clause, or 

fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (t)(2)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly 

executed novation or change-of-name agreement, the SAM information that shows the Contractor to be 

other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within 

the meaning of the “Suspension of Payment” paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of 

this contract.

(3) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as 

appropriate, in the SAM record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see Subpart 

32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the SAM database. Information 

provided to the Contractor’s SAM record that indicates payments, including those made by EFT, to an 
11

ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information within the 

meaning of the “Suspension of payment” paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract. 

(4) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation 

requirements via SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. 

(u) Unauthorized Obligations

(1) Except as stated in paragraph (u)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under 

this contract is subject to any End User License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar 

legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the 

Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create 

an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern:

(i) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government.

(ii) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have 

agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or 

agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an “I agree” 

click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., “click-wrap” or “browse-wrap” agreements), execution 

does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause.

(iii) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument 

or agreement. 

(2) Paragraph (u)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is 

expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and 

procedures.

(v) Incorporation by reference. The Contractor’s representations and certifications, including those 

completed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM), are incorporated by reference 

into the contract.

*Items above marked with an asterisk (*) have been tailored in the addenda below in B.

B. ADDENDA TO 52.212-4

(a) Inspection/Acceptance – 52.212-4 Addendum.

(1) The Government reserves the right to perform quality assurance at source; source includes, but is 

not limited to, contractor’s manufacturing facility, packaging facility, warehouse, in-house laboratory, 

subcontractor’s facilities, etc. 

(2) In order to minimize administrative operating costs, contractor shall upload the following items 

with the invoice for payment in WBSCM: 

(A) Proof of delivery as evidenced by one of the following—

i. Signed bill of lading (BOL) which includes:

1. Shipper Name and Shipment Origin Address

2. USDA Contractor Name, if different than shipper

3. Purchase Order Number and Item Number

4. When provided, Sales Order Number and Item Number

5. Consignee: Purchase Order Item’s Goods Recipient Name

c/o Purchase Order Item’s Ship-to Name and Address

6. Number and Type of Units, Net Weight, Material Description, and WBSCM 

material number

7. Statement: “For USDA FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS”

8. Manufacturer’s Lot Code/Lot Identification Number

9. Serial Number(s) of Barrier-Type Seals Applied

10. Carrier’s Signature and Date

11. Date of Shipment
12

Note: When multiple Purchase Order Items are shipped in one conveyance, show the 

applicable information for each Purchase Order Item. 

ii. Commercial receipt noting quantity of product delivered signed and dated by the 

consignee, and/or

iii. Destination USDA inspection certificate,

iv. Report evidencing delivery of product (e.g., Goods Receipt Detail Report); 

v. Self-certification completed, signed and dated by the contractor indicating date of 

delivery of the product, quantity delivered and Purchase Order/Item Number stating:

vi. “I certify that this invoice presented for payment is true. This certification is executed 

with full knowledge of the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3729, or 15 U.S.C. 714m(a), if 

applicable, imposing civil liability upon any person who shall make or cause to be 

made a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim against the United States.”

___________________________ _______________ 

Authorized Signature Date 

(B) Proof of product conformance (as required in the applicable commodity specifications

document), evidenced by:

i. Official checkloading certificate(s), 

ii. Copies of Certificate of Analysis (COA) and/or

iii. Certificate of Conformance (Per FAR Clause 52.246-15 ) and/or

iv. AMS Commodity Inspection Certificate or Graders Memorandum

(C) Any waivers granted by the Contracting Officer, if applicable.

(D) The Contracting Officer reserves the right to specify any combination of documents listed 

above to evidence proof of product conformance and proof of delivery.

(c) Changes – 52.212-4 Addendum.

The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, 

make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following: 

(1) Method of shipment or packing. 

(2) Place of delivery. 

(3) Time of delivery. 

If any such change causes an increase or decrease in the cost of, or the time required for, 

performance of any part of the work under this contract, whether or not changed by the order, the 

Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price, the delivery schedule, or 

both, and shall modify the contract, unless the contract terms provide for regional delivery pricing that 

covers cost adjustments. The Contractor must assert its right to an adjustment under this clause within 30 

days from the date of receipt of the written order. However, if the Contracting Officer decides that the 

facts justify it, the Contracting Officer may receive and act upon a proposal submitted before final 

payment of the contract. If the Contractor’s proposal includes the cost of property made obsolete or 

excess by the change, the Contracting Officer shall have the right to prescribe the manner of the 

disposition of the property. Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes 

clause. However, nothing in this clause shall excuse the Contractor from proceeding with the contract as 

changed. 

(e) Definitions – 52.212-4 Addendum.

(1) When a solicitation provision or contract clause uses a word or term that is defined in the Federal 

Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the word or term has the same meaning as the definition in FAR 

2.101 in effect at the time the solicitation was issued, unless—

(A) The solicitation, or amended solicitation, provides a different definition; 

(B) The contracting parties agree to a different definition; 

(C) The part, subpart, or section of the FAR where the provision or clause is prescribed 

provides a different meaning; or 
13

(D) The word or term is defined in FAR Part 31, for use in the cost principles and procedures. 

(2) The FAR Index is a guide to words and terms the FAR defines and shows where each definition is 

located. The FAR Index is available via the Internet at http://www.acquisition.gov/far at the end 

of the FAR, after the FAR Appendix.

(3) Definitions applicable to this solicitation—

“Agricultural Commodity” or “USDA Food” means a product grown, processed, and otherwise 

prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States except with respect to minor 

ingredients (See AGAR 470.103(b)). Ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be 

utilized as a United States product if such ingredients are not otherwise: (1) produced in the 

United States; and (2) commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices 

from domestic sources. See clause 4A52.225-1, U.S. Origin Product.

“United States” includes the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of 

Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands.

“WBSCM” means USDA’s Web Based Supply Chain Management system which shall be used 

by the contractor and the Government for applicable contract transactions, as determined by the 

Government. USDA will provide the system at no charge for appropriate use by the contractor. 

WBSCM terminology, requirements, and processes shall automatically apply to the contract, as 

applicable. In the event of a conflict between WBSCM and FAR/AGAR terminology, 

FAR/AGAR terminology shall take precedence.

“WBSCM Purchase Order” or “WBSCM PO” means a contract that is accessible in the WBSCM 

system. “Contract” is as defined by FAR, i.e., a mutually binding legal relationship obligating the 

seller to furnish the supplies or services and the buyer to pay for them. (See FAR 2.101 for the 

full definition.)

(4) Definitions for use with FAR Clause 52.225-5, Trade Agreements incorporated by reference in 

FAR clause 52.212-5. Note Trade Agreements only apply to packaging and container 

components, not agricultural commodities and their product.

“Least developed country” means any of the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, 

Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, 

Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, 

Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, 

Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, 

Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, 

Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, or Zambia.

“Packaging and containers” means any substance intended for use as a component of materials 

used in manufacturing, packing, transporting or holding food if such use is not intended to have a 

technical effect in such food. 

“World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA) country” means 

any of the following countries: Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, 

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, 

Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, 

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, 

Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, 

or United Kingdom.
14

(f) Excusable delays – 52.212-4 Addendum.

The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond 

the reasonable control of the Contractor, and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the 

public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, 

epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, and unusually severe weather. The Contractor shall notify the 

Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any 

excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence 

with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the 

cessation of such occurrence.

(i) Payment – 52.212-4 Addendum.

(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been 

delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract. 

(2) Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act 

(31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315. 

(3) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If the Government makes payment by EFT, see 52.212-5(b) for 

the appropriate EFT clause. 

(4) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed from 

the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be 

considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified 

payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made. 

(5) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice 

payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice 

payment, the Contractor shall—

(i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a 

description of the overpayment including the—

(A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, 

liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment); 

(B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable; 

(C) Affected contract line item or subline item, if applicable; and 

(D) Contractor point of contact. 

(ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer. 

(6) Interest. 

(i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract shall 

bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within the number of days specified 

by the Prompt Payment Act of becoming due. The interest rate shall be the interest rate 

established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 7109 , which is applicable 

to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this clause, and then 

at the rate applicable for each six-month period as fixed by the Secretary until the amount is 

paid. 

(ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is due 

under the contract. 

(iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by 33.211 if—

(A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the 

existence or amount of a debt within 30 days; 

(B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer 

within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid 

because the Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or 

(C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the 

Contracting Officer (see 32.607-2). 
15

(iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment included 

in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment. 

(v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates: 

(A) The date fixed under this contract. 

(B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment 

resulting from a default termination. 

(vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved 

beginning on the due date and ending on—

(A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor; 

(B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount 

otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or 

(C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise 

have become payable to the Contractor. 

(vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures prescribed in 

32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect on the date of this contract. Goods 

Receipt entered by the recipient agency representative; and

Payment is due after submission of a properly prepared invoice in WBSCM, with the required 

supporting documentation, within the time indicated below.
16

Upon receipt of a proper invoice for: Payment must be made as close as possible 

to but not later than:

Meat or meat food products. As defined in section 

2(a)(3) of the Packers and Stockyard Act of 1921 (7 

U.S.C. 182(3)), and as further defined in Public Law 

98-181, including any edible fresh or frozen poultry 

meat, and perishable poultry meat food product, fresh 

eggs, and any perishable egg product.

7th day after receipt of a proper invoice.

Fresh or frozen fish. As defined in section 204(3) of 

the Fish and Seafood Promotion Act of 1986 (16 

U.S.C. 4003(3)).

7th day after receipt of a proper invoice.

Perishable agricultural commodities. As 

defined in section 1(4) of the Perishable Agricultural 

Commodities Act of 1930 

(7 U.S.C 499a(4)). (This includes frozen fruit and 

vegetable products). 

10th day after receipt of a proper invoice, 

unless another day is specified in the contract.

(4) Dairy products. As defined in section 111(e) of the 

Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 

4502(e)), edible fats or oils, and food products 

prepared from edible fats or oils. Liquid milk, cheese, 

certain processed cheese products, butter, yogurt, ice 

cream, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and other similar 

products fall within this classification. Nothing in the 

Act limits this classification to refrigerated products. If 

questions arise regarding the proper classification of a 

specific product, the contracting officer must follow 

prevailing industry practices in specifying a contract

payment due date. The burden of proof that a 

classification of a specific product is, in fact, prevailing 

industry practice is upon the contractor making the 

representation. 

10th day after a proper invoice has been 

received

All other processed canned commodities (including 

fruits, vegetables, fish, and poultry products). 

30th day after receipt of a proper invoice.

(o) Warranty – 52.212-4 Addendum.

 (1) Liability for Losses Due to Deterioration or Spoilage

The Contractor shall reimburse USDA for all losses due to deterioration or spoilage sustained by 

USDA for which the Contractor is responsible, but only if such losses are discovered within a 

reasonable time, as determined by USDA, after delivery. The Contractor agrees to reimburse USDA 

for such losses within 10 days after date of billing by USDA. That part of the commodity as to which 

USDA makes a claim based on deterioration or spoilage shall be held by USDA subject to disposition 

instructions of the Contractor (unless the nature of the deterioration or spoilage is such as to require 

condemnation and destruction as determined by USDA or its authorized representative) but need not 

be held by USDA in excess of 30 days after USDA sends notice of such claim to the Contractor. In 

lieu of reimbursing USDA, the Contractor may replace the deteriorated or spoiled commodity with an 

equal quantity of commodity which conforms to all contract requirements and specifications, if such 

replacement is agreed to by USDA.

 (2) Liability for Losses Due to Product Recalled for Health or Safety Risk

In the event the commodity or product is recalled due to a health or safety risk, the Contractor is 

responsible for all costs associated with removal and replacement of recalled commodities or 
17

products, and reimbursement of State and local costs incurred as a result of the recall, as outlined in 

the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Commodity Hold and Recall Process. A copy of this report 

can be obtained at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foodsafety/hold-recallpros.pdf. These costs include, 

at a minimum, storage, transportation, processing, and distribution of the commodities or products.

C. ADDITIONAL CLAUSES

4A52.201-1 Contracting Officer Representative

In accordance with FAR 1.604 the Contracting Officer will designate and authorize Contracting 

Officer’s Representatives (CORs) associated with contracts awarded as a result of this solicitation. 

The CORs have specific/defined authority outlined in the letter of designation. Letter of designations 

will be provided to awardees under a separate cover. 

(End of clause)

4A52.204-1 Contract Closeout and Past Performance Evaluation

(a) Closeout Reporting

Contractors shall fully complete and return all documents relating to contract completion and 

contract closeout. Completion and return of the aforementioned documents may be reported as 

part of vendor past performance evaluation. 

(b) Past Performance Evaluation

The Government will prepare a past performance evaluation at the time the work under this 

contact and/or delivery order is completed. Evaluations will rate performance several areas (e.g. 

quality of product or service, cost control, timeliness of performance, business relations, and, 

when applicable, performance against, and efforts to achieve the goals identified in the small 

business subcontracting plan). Contractors will have an opportunity to comment on the 

Government evaluation. The past performance evaluation may be used by the Government to 

support a future award decision. Details on use of contractor performance assessment reporting 

system will be provided at a future date.

(End of clause) 

52.209-1 Qualification Requirements (Feb 1995)

(a) Definition. “Qualification requirement,” as used in this clause, means a Government requirement 

for testing or other quality assurance demonstration that must be completed before award. 

(b) One or more qualification requirements apply to the supplies or services covered by this contract. 

For those supplies or services requiring qualification, whether the covered product or service is an end 

item under this contract or simply a component of an end item, the product, manufacturer, or source must 

have demonstrated that it meets the standards prescribed for qualification before award of this contract. 

The product, manufacturer, or source must be qualified at the time of award whether or not the name of 

the product, manufacturer, or source is actually included on a qualified products list, qualified 

manufacturers list, or qualified bidders list. Offerors should contact the agency activity designated below 

to obtain all requirements that they or their products or services, or their subcontractors or their products

or services, must satisfy to become qualified and to arrange for an opportunity to demonstrate their 

abilities to meet the standards specified for qualification.

USDA, AMS Commodity Procurement Staff

Andrea Lang, New Vendor/Small Business Coordinator

Andrea.Lang@ams.usda.gov

202-720-4237

https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/becoming-approved

(c) Even though a product or service subject to a qualification requirement is not itself an end item 

under this contract, the product, manufacturer, or source must nevertheless be qualified at the time of 
18

award of this contract. This is necessary whether the Contractor or a subcontractor will ultimately provide 

the product or service in question. If, after award, the Contracting Officer discovers that an applicable 

qualification requirement was not in fact met at the time of award, the Contracting Officer may either 

terminate this contract for default or allow performance to continue if adequate consideration is offered 

and the action is determined to be otherwise in the Government’s best interests.

(d) If an offeror, manufacturer, source, product or service has met the qualification requirement but is 

not yet on a qualified products list, qualified manufacturers list, or qualified bidders list, the offeror must 

submit evidence of qualification prior to award of this contract. Unless determined to be in the 

Government’s interest, award of this contract shall not be delayed to permit an offeror to submit evidence 

of qualification.

(e) Any change in location or ownership of the plant where a previously qualified product or service 

was manufactured or performed requires reevaluation of the qualification. Similarly, any change in 

location or ownership of a previously qualified manufacturer or source requires reevaluation of the 

qualification. The reevaluation must be accomplished before the date of award.

(End of clause)

52.211-11 Liquidated Damages—Supplies, Services, or Research and Development (Sep 2000) 

(a) If the Contractor fails to deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified 

in this contract, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated 

damages per calendar day of delay, not to exceed 45 days of delay, at the following rates:

Commodity Rate Per Net 

Weight 

Animal Slaughtering (except Poultry)

 (Fine Ground/Coarse Ground Beef/Beef Patties/Pork Products)

Canned Dried Beans / Canned Fruit / Canned Juice / Canned Vegetables

Canning, Specialty (Canned Beef Chili without the beans/Beef Stew)

Chicken Products / Chicken Bulk / Turkey Products

Corn Syrup

Dehydrated Products, Dried Fruit

Dry Beans / Legumes

Eggs Products

Frozen Fruit/ Frozen Juice/ Frozen Vegetables

Nuts, Roasted

Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing 

 (Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Fresh Sliced Apples, Baby Carrots, etc.)

Seafood Products Preparation and Packaging

 (Fresh and Frozen Seafood)

$0.0025 Lb/day

Bakery Flour Products 

Bakery Flour Mix 

Corn Products 

Wheat Flour 

$ 0.15 Cwt/day 

Rice Products $ 0.20 Cwt/day 

Crackers (Saltine) 

Instant Rice Baby Cereal 

Pasta Products 

$ 0.30 Cwt/day 

Processed Cereal Products 

Vegetable Oil Products 

$ 0.35 Cwt/day 

Cheese (Bulk) 

Cheese (Processed) 

$ 0.45 Cwt/day 
19

Evaporated Milk 

Fortified R-T-E Cereals 

Infant Formula 

Instant Nonfat Dry Milk 

Mozzarella Cheese 

Macaroni and Cheese 

Nonfortified Nonfat Dry Milk 

Nonfortified Nonfat Dry Milk-Export 

Peanut Products 

Sunflower Seed Butter 

Ultra High Temperature Milk 

(b) If the Government terminates this contract in whole or in part under the Default—Fixed-Price 

Supply and Service clause, the Contractor is liable for liquidated damages accruing until the Government 

reasonably obtains delivery or performance of similar supplies or services. These liquidated damages are 

in addition to excess costs of repurchase under the Termination clause. 

(c) The Contractor will not be charged with liquidated damages when the delay in delivery or 

performance is beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in the 

Default—Fixed-Price Supply and Service clause in this contract. 

(End of clause)

4A52.211-1 Compensation for Delays in Delivery

(a) If a Contractor determines that it will not be able to deliver the commodity by the Not-Later-Than 

(NLT) delivery date, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately. If the reason for 

not meeting the NLT delivery date is beyond the control or negligence of the Contractor, the Contractor is 

required to submit a waiver request within 2 working days after the scheduled NLT delivery date. Failure 

to submit a waiver request within the time specified will result in liquidated damages being assessed. 

Waiver requests submitted after the time specified will not be accepted. See clause 52.211-11, of the 

Master Solicitation. 

(b) If a Contractor delivered a product and the product is rejected, the Contractor shall deliver an 

acceptable replacement product prior to the end of the NLT delivery date and liquidated damages 

will not be assessed. However, if the replacement product will be delivered beyond the NLT delivery 

date, liquidated damages will be assessed.

(c) When deliveries are made by contract carrier or vendor’s own vehicle, the date shown on the signed 

commercial bill of lading will be considered the date of delivery.

(End of clause)

52.211-16 Variation in Quantity (Apr 1984) 

(a) A variation in the quantity of any item called for by this contract will not be accepted unless the 

variation has been caused by conditions of loading, shipping, or packing, or allowances in manufacturing 

processes, and then only to the extent, if any, specified in paragraph (b) of this clause.

(b) The permissible variation shall be limited to:

Zero Percent increase

Zero Percent decrease 

This increase or decrease shall apply to the Delivery Order (WBSCM Purchase Order) item quantity (i.e. 

net weight).

(End of clause)

452.211-73 Attachments to Specifications (Feb 1988) 

Specifications listed in Part III, “Contract Documents, Exhibits, and Attachments,” are hereby made part of 

this solicitation and any resultant contract. 
20

(End of Clause)

452.211-74 Period of Performance (Feb 1988) 

The base period of performance of this contract is from the earliest delivery date required in the schedule 

of supplies through the latest delivery date required in the schedule of supplies. 

(End of Clause)

452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (Feb 1988) 

The effective period of this contract is from contract award date through final invoice payment date. 

(End of Clause)

4A52.211-1 Delivery Instructions 

The Government shall issue to the contractor electronic purchase orders (contracts) in WBSCM. 

Notification of the issuance of documents in WBSCM will be sent via email. The contractor shall be 

responsible for ensuring that it is capable of receiving email communications during the course of the 

contract. The contractor shall ensure that it has an accurate email address on file with the Government. The 

Government will not be responsible for any failure of contractor receipt of electronic information 

attributable to inoperable receiver equipment and/or software. The Government reserves the right, at its 

option, to issue Purchase Order by other means such as, but not limited to, facsimile transmission or 

regular mail.

(End of clause) 

4A52.211-2 Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) and Unloading Appointment 

(a) Contractor shall enter a WBSCM advanced shipment notice (ASN) on or before the date of shipment. 

Contractors are encouraged to create the ASN for the purchase order item number as soon as a delivery 

appointment has been scheduled, but not less than 24 hours. The Contractor must provide accurate 

information when creating the ASN. The ASN provides an alert to the appropriate recipient agency that the 

product will be shipped for a sales order. Advanced shipment notices shall contain: 

• Shipper’s name

• Commodity

• Sales Order or Requisition Number (SO or RN)

• Units per (SO or RN)

• Destination

• Purchase Order Number

• Ship date

• Mode of transportation. If truck, anticipated date of arrival.

Note: USDA has provided an excel template in a comma delimited (csv) format that allows the Contractor 

to upload purchase order line items that will create multiple ASNs.

(b) The creation of the ASN does not relieve the Contractor or subcontractor of their responsibility to 

obtain an unloading appointment.

(c) Appointments are required for all deliveries.

(d) Delivery appointments shall be made as far in advance of expected delivery as possible, but not 

less than 72 hours prior to delivery by contacting a responsible representative at the applicable Purchase 

Order Item’s Ship-to-Address for an unload appointment. Reference the Purchase Order (PO) Number, 

PO Item Number, and when provided, the Sales Order (SO) Number and SO Item Number for which the 

appointment is being scheduled. Ramifications of failure to schedule an appointment or failure to 

arrive on time for an appointment are the full responsibility of the contractor 

(e) The Contractor may deliver early if the recipient agency agrees to accept early delivery, there is no 

additional cost to the Government, and upon AMS personnel being available to perform any necessary 

check loading and acceptance requirements, if applicable. 
21

(End of clause) 

4A52.211-3 Regulatory Requirements for Commodities and Packaging 

The commodity shall conform to the applicable provisions of the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" 

(21 U.S.C. 301 et. seq.), as amended, and the relevant regulations. The contractor shall comply with all 

applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations related to its performance 

under this contract. 

All containers and packaging materials shall be constructed to meet the requirements of the Food and Drug 

Administration for safe contact with the packaged product. In addition, all containers and packaging 

materials shall be constructed to comply with the sum concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and 

hexavalent chromium addressed by the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG) model legislation. The 

sum of the concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and/or hexavalent chromium present in any 

package or packaging component shall not exceed 100 parts per million. Concentration levels shall be 

determined using American Standard of Testing Materials test methods, as revised, or U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency test methods for evaluating solid waste, S-W 846, as revised.

(End of clause) 

52.214-26 Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding (Oct 2010) 

(a) As used in this clause, “records” includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, 

and other data, regardless of type and regardless of whether such items are in written form, in the form 

of computer data, or in any other form. 

(b) Certified cost or pricing data. If the Contractor has been required to submit certified cost or pricing 

data in connection with the pricing of any modification to this contract, the Contracting Officer, or an 

authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, in order to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, 

and currency of the certified cost or pricing data, shall have the right to examine and audit all of the 

Contractor’s records, including computations and projections, related to—

(1) The proposal for the modification; 

(2) The discussions conducted on the proposal(s), including those related to negotiating; 

(3) Pricing of the modification; or 

(4) Performance of the modification. 

(c) Comptroller General. In the case of pricing any modification, the Comptroller General of the 

United States, or an authorized representative, shall have the same rights as specified in paragraph (b) 

of this clause and also the right to interview any current employee regarding such transactions. 

(d) Availability. The Contractor shall make available at its office at all reasonable times the materials 

described in paragraph (b) of this clause, for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after 

final payment under this contract, or for any other period specified in Subpart 4.7 of the Federal 

Acquisition Regulation (FAR). FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, in effect on the date of 

this contract, is incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this contract. 

(1) If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated 

shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. 

(2) Records pertaining to appeals under the Disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of 

claims arising under or relating to the performance of this contract shall be made available until 

disposition of such appeals, litigation, or claims. 

(e) The Contractor shall insert a clause containing all the provisions of this clause, including this 

paragraph (e), in all subcontracts expected to exceed the threshold in FAR 15.403-4(a)(1) for 

submission of certified cost or pricing data. 

(Applicable for contracts exceeding $750,000)
22

52.214-28 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications—Sealed Bidding 

(Oct 2010) 

(a) The requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this clause shall—

(1) Become operative only for any modification to this contract involving aggregate increases and/or 

decreases in costs, plus applicable profits, expected to exceed the threshold for submission of 

certified cost or pricing data at FAR 15.403-4(a)(1); and 

(2) Be limited to such modifications. 

(b) Before awarding any subcontract expected to exceed the threshold for submission of certified cost 

or pricing data at FAR 15.403-4(a)(1), on the date of agreement on price or the date of award, 

whichever is later, or before pricing any subcontract modifications involving aggregate increases 

and/or decreases in costs, plus applicable profits, expected to exceed the threshold for submission of 

certified cost or pricing data at FAR 15.403-4(a)(1), the Contractor shall require the subcontractor to 

submit certified cost or pricing data (actually or by specific identification in writing), as part of the 

subcontractor’s proposal in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-2 (to include any information 

reasonably required to explain the subcontractor’s estimating process such as the judgmental factors 

applied and the mathematical or other methods used in the estimate, including those used in projecting 

from known data, and the nature and amount of any contingencies included in the price), unless an 

exception under FAR 15.403-1(b) applies. 

(c) The Contractor shall require the subcontractor to certify in substantially the form prescribed in 

FAR subsection 15.406-2 that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the data submitted under 

paragraph (b) of this clause were accurate, complete, and current as of the date of agreement on the 

negotiated price of the subcontract or subcontract modification. 

(d) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in each 

subcontract that, when entered into, exceeds the threshold for submission of certified cost or pricing 

data at FAR 15.403-4(a)(1). 

(End of clause) 

4A52.225-1 U.S. Origin Product 

(a) The products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of 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”), except as may otherwise be required by 

law, and shall be considered to be such a product if it is grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for 

sale or distribution exclusively in the United States except with respect to minor ingredients (See 

AGAR 470.103(b)). Ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be utilized as a United 

States product if such ingredients are not otherwise: (1) produced in the United States; and (2) 

commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices from domestic sources. 

(b) If the Contractor processes or handles products originating from sources other than the United States, 

the Contractor must have an acceptable identification and segregation plan for those products to ensure 

they are not used in commodities purchased under this Master Solicitation—except for commingled 

products (see paragraph (c)). This plan must be made available to an AMS representative and the 

Contracting Officer or agent thereof upon request. The Contractor must ensure that the Contractor and 

any subcontractor(s) maintain records such as invoices, or production and inventory records 

evidencing product origin, and make such records available for review by the Government in 

accordance with FAR 52.214-26.

(c) For commodities that the Department has determined to be generally commingled, a commingled 

product shall be considered to be a product of the United States if the offeror can establish that the 

offeror has in inventory at the time the contract for the commodity or product is awarded to the offeror, 

or obtains during the contract performance period specified in the solicitation, or a combination 

thereof, a sufficient quantity of the commodity or product that was produced in the United States to 

fulfill the contract being awarded, and all unfulfilled contracts that the offeror entered into to provide 

such commingled product to the United States. However, if the commodity can be readily stored on an 
23

identity preserved basis with respect to its country of origin, the Government may require that the 

commodity acquired under this contract be of 100 percent U.S. origin. 

(d) The Contractor agrees to include this domestic origin certification clause in all subcontracts for 

products used in fulfilling contracts awarded under this Master Solicitation. The burden of proof of 

compliance is on the Contractor. 

(e) Domestic origin verification requirements must be included in the Contractor’s technical proposal, if 

applicable. Otherwise, prior to any work performed under the applicable contract or purchase order 

that was awarded, the attached form (EXHIBIT 1) must be completed, and must be presented to an 

AMS representative, the Contracting Officer, or agent thereof upon request.

(f) FAR clause 52.225-5, Trade Agreements incorporated by reference in FAR clause 52.212-5 applies 

only to packaging and container components. Agricultural commodities and their products are exempt 

from 52.225-5.

(End of clause)

4A52.225-2 U.S. Origin Product – Ingredient Waivers 

The requirement for a commodity and/or a component ingredient to be entirely produced and/or processed 

in the United States may be waived due to non-availability at fair and reasonable prices. 

(a) Waived ingredients may be subject to the following two-part test to define a U.S. end product: 

(1) The article must be manufactured in the United States; and 

(2) The cost of domestic components must exceed 50 percent of the cost of all the 

components. 

(b) The following ingredients are subject to the U.S origin product requirement: 

(1) [Reserved] 

(2) Waived ingredients may be acquired as a foreign end product without regard to the 

restrictions of the U.S origin product requirement. 

(c) The following ingredients have been determined by the Contracting Activity as not available 

at fair and reasonable prices and are waived from all U.S. origin restrictions: 

(1) Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate) 

(2) Vitamin D 

(3) Carageenan (stabilizing agent) 

(4) Sorbic Acid (preservative) 

(5) Potassium Sorbate (preservative) 

(6) Rennet (coagulant) 

(End of clause)

52.232-1 Payments (Apr 1984) 

The Government shall pay the Contractor, upon the submission of proper invoices or vouchers, the 

prices stipulated in this contract for supplies delivered and accepted or services rendered and accepted, 

less any deductions provided in this contract. Unless otherwise specified in this contract, payment shall 

be made on partial deliveries accepted by the Government if—

(a) The amount due on the deliveries warrants it; or 

(b) The Contractor requests it and the amount due on the deliveries is at least $1,000 or 50 percent of 

the total contract price. 

 (End of clause)

52.232-11 Extras (Apr 1984) 

Except as otherwise provided in this contract, no payment for extras shall be made unless such extras 

and the price therefore have been authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer. 

(End of clause)

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (Apr 1984) 
24

/ / Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government’s obligation under this contract 

is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can 

be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are 

made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of 

such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause) 

52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (Apr 1984) (applicable when checked)

/ /Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond . The 

Government’s obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the 

availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal 

liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract 

beyond , until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until 

the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. 

(End of clause)

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated 

payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable 

and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, 

after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business 

subcontractor. 

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt 

Payment Act. 

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small 

business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of 

commercial items.

(End of clause)

4A52.232-1 Contractor Expenses 

Unless stipulated otherwise in the contract, all expenses incurred including but not limited to testing, 

analysis, fumigation, and certification requirements shall be the responsibility of the contractor. 

(End of clause)

52.242-13 Bankruptcy (July 1995) 

In the event the contractor enters into proceedings relating to bankruptcy, whether voluntary or 

involuntary, the contractor agrees to furnish, by certified mail or electronic commerce method 

authorized by the contract, written notification of the bankruptcy to the contracting officer responsible 

for administering the contract. This notification shall be furnished within five days of the initiation of 

the proceedings relating to bankruptcy filing. This notification shall include the date on which the 

bankruptcy petition was filed, the identity of the court in which the bankruptcy petition was filed, and a 

listing of government contract numbers and contracting offices for all government contracts against 

which final payment has not been made. This obligation remains in effect until final payment under 

this contract. 

(End of clause) 

52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (Apr 1984) 

(a) If the performance of all or any part of the work of this contract is delayed or interrupted (1) by an 

act of the Contracting Officer in the administration of this contract that is not expressly or impliedly 

authorized by this contract, or (2) by a failure of the Contracting Officer to act within the time 

specified in this contract, or within a reasonable time if not specified, an adjustment (excluding profit) 
25

shall be made for any increase in the cost of performance of this contract caused by the delay or 

interruption and the contract shall be modified in writing accordingly. Adjustment shall also be made 

in the delivery or performance dates and any other contractual term or condition affected by the delay 

or interruption. However, no adjustment shall be made under this clause for any delay or interruption to 

the extent that performance would have been delayed or interrupted by any other cause, including the 

fault or negligence of the Contractor, or for which an adjustment is provided or excluded under any 

other term or condition of this contract. 

(b) A claim under this clause shall not be allowed—

(1) For any costs incurred more than 20 days before the Contractor shall have notified the 

Contracting Officer in writing of the act or failure to act involved; and 

(2) Unless the claim, in an amount stated, is asserted in writing as soon as practicable after the 

termination of the delay or interruption, but not later than the day of final payment under the 

contract. 

(End of clause)

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Sep 2016)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

“Commercial item and commercially available off-the-shelf item” have the meanings contained 

Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101, Definitions.

“Subcontract” includes a transfer of commercial items between divisions, subsidiaries, or 

affiliates of the Contractor or subcontractor at any tier.

(b) To the maximum extent practicable, the Contractor shall incorporate, and require its subcontractors at 

all tiers to incorporate, commercial items or nondevelopmental items as components of items to be 

supplied under this contract.

(c) 

(1) The Contractor shall insert the following clauses in subcontracts for commercial items:

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509), if the 

subcontract exceeds $5.5 million and has a performance period of more than 120 days. In altering this 

clause to identify the appropriate parties, all disclosures of violation of the civil False Claims Act or of 

Federal criminal law shall be directed to the agency Office of the Inspector General, with a copy to the 

Contracting Officer.

(ii) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 

2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5), if the subcontract is funded under the Recovery Act.

(iii) 52.204-21, Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Jun 2016), other 

than subcontracts for commercially available off-the-shelf items, if flow down is required in accordance 

with paragraph (c) of FAR clause 52.204-21.

(iv) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), if 

the subcontract offers further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to 

small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the 

subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(v) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(vi) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O. 11246).

(vii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212(a));

(viii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(ix) 52.222-37, Employments Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(x) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) 

(E.O. 13496), if flow down is required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xi)

(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 

13627).

(B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).
26

(xii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015).

(xiii) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Jul 

2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 

U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xiv) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013), if 

flow down is required in accordance with paragraph (c) of FAR clause 52.232-40.

(xv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 

U.S.C. App. 1241 and 10 U.S.C. 2631), if flow down is required in accordance with paragraph (d) of 

FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may flow down to subcontracts for commercial items a 

minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(d) The Contractor shall include the terms of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts 

awarded under this contract.

(End of Clause)

52.246-11 Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement (DEC 2014)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the higher-level quality standard(s) listed below. 

4, Quality Management System 

5.1, Management Commitment 

5.3, Quality Policy 

5.5, Responsibility, Authority, Communication 

5.6, Management Review (Limited to 5.6.1 and 5.6.2) 

6, Resource Management 

7.1, Planning of Product Realization 

7.2, Customer Related Processes 

7.4, Purchasing Process 

7.5, Production and Service Provision 

7.6, Control, Monitoring and Measuring Devices 

8, Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

The ISO 9001-2000 standard can be ordered from the ANSI Electronics Standards Store at 

http://www.ansi.org. Official ISO certification is not required.

(b) The Contractor shall include applicable requirements of the higher-level quality standard(s) listed in 

paragraph (a) of this clause and the requirement to flow down such standards, as applicable, to lower-tier 

subcontracts, in—

(1) Any subcontract for critical and complex items (see 46.203(b) and (c)); or 

(2) When the technical requirements of a subcontract require—

(i) Control of such things as design, work operations, in-process control, testing, and inspection; 

or 

(ii) Attention to such factors as organization, planning, work instructions, documentation control, 

and advanced metrology. 

(Applicable to dairy, grain and oilseed products)

(End of clause)

4A52.246-1 Contract Quality Requirement

In accordance with FAR clause 52.246-11, Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement) the following 

apply: 

1) When contractor’s quality control system is not ready at the time specified by the Contractor for 

performance of quality assurance at source, the Contracting Officer may charge to the Contractor the 

additional cost of quality assurance.
27

2) The Contracting Officer may charge the Contractor for any additional cost of quality assurance 

when prior nonconformance makes re-surveillance necessary.

(End of Clause)

4A52.246-2 Food Defense Requirements 

(a) Current and potential Contractor(s) and subcontractor(s) shall have an approved food defense plan in 

place that provides for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and 

transportation of pre-production raw materials and other ingredients and post-production finished product. 

The plan shall address the following areas, as applicable:

(1) food security plan management;

(2) outside and inside security of the production and storage facilities;

(3) slaughter and processing, including all raw material sources;

(4) shipping and receiving;

(5) storage;

(6) water and ice supply;

(7) mail handling;

(8) personnel security; and

(9) transportation, shipping, and receiving (includes the sealing of any transport conveyance for 

truck lot and less-than-truck lot quantities of finished product). 

(b) The documented and operational food defense plan must be audited and approved by USDA, AMS 

prior to the bid opening date of the IFB. All nonconformance(s) listed in the audit report for poultry and 

livestock products must be addressed in writing within 14 days to the Contracting Officer. However, for 

fruit and vegetable products, nonconformance(s) must be addressed prior to the bid opening date of the 

IFB. Contractors will have an opportunity to correct identified nonconformance(s) and modify their food 

defense plan. The frequency of any follow-up food defense audits will be determined by the Contracting 

Officer. Approved food defense audit is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of approval.

(c) Contractors who receive contracts must have their documented food defense plan and supporting 

documentation readily available for review by the Contracting Officer or AMS agents. Records may be 

maintained on hard copy or electronic media. However, records maintained as electronic media will be 

made available in printed form immediately upon request by AMS or its agents.

All inquiries concerning audit requirements and scheduling should be forwarded to your local Grading 

Division office for clarification. Furthermore, USDA will not grant/accept any waiver requests for the 

food defense audits. It is the responsibility of the contractor and/or subcontractor to schedule the audit in 

a timely manner to ensure it has been completed and approved prior to the bid opening date of the IFB. 

Offerors who submit a bid with a processing plant and/or shipping point that are not in compliance with 

this requirement will be deemed non-responsive for that processing plant and/or shipping point.

(End of Clause)

4A52.246-3 Manufacturing Practices – Processed Fruit and Vegetable and Poultry Products

(a) Current Good Manufacturing Practices

All processed fruit and vegetables must be produced in accordance with the Food and Drug 

Administration’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (21 C.F.R., Part 110). 

(b) Plant Survey or Plant Systems Audit (PSA)

(1) Successful bidders are required to undergo and pass an annual plant survey or PSA. The 

primary purpose of a plant survey or PSA is to ensure that products are produced in a clean, sanitary 

environment and verify that Federal requirements are met. Contractors are required to maintain process

operations records that are sufficiently detailed as to allow AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Specialty 

Crop Inspection Division (SCID), to determine past and current sanitation practices. 
28

(2) The AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, SCID, will conduct the plant surveys/PSA. SCID

personnel will follow the procedures found in the most current version of SCID AIM, Sanitation and 

Safety Manual, or the most current version of SCID AIM, Plant Systems Audit Manual. 

(3) Contractors must provide the Contracting Officer with a copy of an acceptable completed 

plant survey/PSA. An acceptable plant survey/PSA will be valid for one year.

(4) Contractors who have a SCID in-plant contract service agreement will be considered as 

having met the plant survey/PSA requirement, since a plant survey/PSA is a prerequisite to a contract 

service agreement. Similarly, Contractors who have completed a SCID plant survey/PSA for any other 

purpose within one year of award will also be deemed to have satisfied this requirement. 

(5) The plant survey/PSA must be completed and approved prior to the bid opening date of the 

IFB. It is the responsibility of the contractor and/or subcontractor to schedule the audit in a timely 

manner to ensure it has been completed and approved prior to the bid opening date of the IFB. Offerors 

who submit a bid with a processing plant and/or shipping point that are not in compliance with this 

requirement will be deemed non-responsive for that processing plant and/or shipping point.

52.246-15 Certificate of Conformance (Apr 1984) 

(a) When authorized in writing by the cognizant Contract Administration Office (CAO), the Contractor 

shall ship with a Certificate of Conformance any supplies for which the contract would otherwise require 

inspection at source. In no case shall the Government’s right to inspect supplies under the inspection 

provisions of this contract be prejudiced. Shipments of such supplies will not be made under this contract 

until use of the Certificate of Conformance has been authorized in writing by the CAO, or inspection and 

acceptance have occurred. 

(b) The Contractor’s signed certificate shall be attached to or included on the top copy of the inspection or 

receiving report distributed to the payment office or attached to the CAO copy when contract 

administration (Block 10 of the DD Form 250) is performed by the Defense Contract Administration 

Services. In addition, a copy of the signed certificate shall also be attached to or entered on copies of the 

inspection or receiving report accompanying the shipment. 

(c) The Government has the right to reject defective supplies or services within a reasonable time after 

delivery by written notification to the Contractor. The Contractor shall in such event promptly replace, 

correct, or repair the rejected supplies or services at the Contractor’s expense.

(d) The certificate shall read as follows: 

I certify that on ______ [insert date], the ____ [insert Contractor’s name] furnished the 

supplies or services called for by Contract No._____ via ____ [Carrier] on ________ [identify 

the bill of lading or shipping document] in accordance with all applicable requirements. I 

further certify that the supplies or services are of the quality specified and conform in all 

respects with the contract requirements, including specifications, drawings, preservation, 

packaging, packing, marking requirements, and physical item identification (part number), and 

are in the quantity shown on this or on the attached acceptance document. 

DATE OF EXECUTION: ________________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________________

TITLE: ____________________________________________

(End of clause)

452.246-70 Inspection and Acceptance Alternate I (Feb 1988)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's duly authorized representative will inspect and 

accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract. 

(b) Inspection will be performed at: point(s) of delivery specified in the Government’s delivery 

instructions and/or at source, as determined by the contracting officer (See Addendum to 52.212-4.) 
29

(c) Acceptance will be performed at: the Government’s administering office for the contract (See Part I, 

Solicitation Form). 

(End of clause)

4A52.247-1 Loading, Blocking, and Bracing for Multiple Delivery Points (drops) on One Conveyance

When a shipment has multiple delivery points (drops), contractor must load and brace the conveyance for 

accurate and economical unloading, e.g. load and brace truck trailers in reverse order of delivery.

(End of clause)

4A52.247-2 Special Instruction for Shipments to Puerto Rico 

All deliveries to Puerto Rico must cite on the Bill of Lading and Ocean Transportation manifest the 

applicable Recipient Agency Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Merchant Registration Number. 

Successful awardee will be responsible for contacting the contracting officer’s representative to obtain 

the appropriate tax identification number.

(End of clause)

52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination (Nov 1991) 

(a) The term “f.o.b. destination,” as used in this clause, means—

(1) Free of expense to the Government, on board the carrier’s conveyance, at a specified delivery 

point where the consignee’s facility (plant, warehouse, store, lot, or other location to which 

shipment can be made) is located; and 

(2) Supplies shall be delivered to the destination consignee’s wharf (if destination is a port city and 

supplies are for export), warehouse unloading platform, or receiving dock, at the expense of the 

Contractor. The Government shall not be liable for any delivery, storage, demurrage, accessorial, or 

other charges involved before the actual delivery (or “constructive placement” as defined in carrier 

tariffs) of the supplies to the destination, unless such charges are caused by an act or order of the 

Government acting in its contractual capacity. If rail carrier is used, supplies shall be delivered to 

the specified unloading platform of the consignee. If motor carrier (including “piggyback”) is used, 

supplies shall be delivered to truck tailgate at the unloading platform of the consignee, except when 

the supplies delivered meet the requirements of Item 568 of the National Motor Freight 

Classification for “heavy or bulky freight.” When supplies meeting the requirements of the 

referenced Item 568 are delivered, unloading (including movement to the tailgate) shall be 

performed by the consignee, with assistance from the truck driver, if requested. If the contractor 

uses rail carrier or freight forwarded for less than carload shipments, the contractor shall ensure that 

the carrier will furnish tailgate delivery, when required, if transfer to truck is required to complete 

delivery to consignee. 

(b) The Contractor shall—

(1)(i) Pack and mark the shipment to comply with contract specifications; or 

(ii) In the absence of specifications, prepare the shipment in conformance with carrier 

requirements; 

(2) Prepare and distribute commercial bills of lading; 

(3) Deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the 

contract;

(4) Be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt of the 

shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the contract; 

(5) Furnish a delivery schedule and designate the mode of delivering carrier; and 

(6) Pay and bear all charges to the specified point of delivery. 

(End of clause) 
30

52.247-58 Loading, Blocking, and Bracing of Freight Car Shipments (Apr 1984) 

(a) Upon receipt of shipping instructions, as provided in this contract, the supplies to be included in 

any carload shipment by rail shall be loaded, blocked, and braced by the Contractor in accordance with 

the standards published by the Association of American Railroads and effective at the time of 

shipment. 

(b) Shipments, for which the Association of American Railroads has published no such standards, shall 

be loaded, blocked, and braced in accordance with standards established by the shipper as evidenced 

by written acceptance of an authorized representative of the carrier. 

(c) The Contractor shall be liable for payment of any damage to any supplies caused by the failure to 

load, block, and brace in accordance with acceptable standards set forth herein. 

(d) A copy of the appropriate pamphlet of the Association of American Railroads may be obtained 

from that Association. 

(End of clause) 

52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the Cargo Preference Act of 1954 

(46 U.S.C. App. 1241(b)) requires that Federal departments and agencies shall transport in privately 

owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage of equipment, materials, 

or commodities that may be transported in ocean vessels (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, 

dry cargo liners, and tankers). Such transportation shall be accomplished when any equipment, 

materials, or commodities, located within or outside the United States, that may be transported by 

ocean vessel are—

(1) Acquired for a U.S. Government agency account; 

(2) Furnished to, or for the account of, any foreign nation without provision for reimbursement; 

(3) Furnished for the account of a foreign nation in connection with which the United States 

advances funds or credits, or guarantees the convertibility of foreign currencies; or 

(4) Acquired with advance of funds, loans, or guaranties made by or on behalf of the United 

States. 

(b) The Contractor shall use privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels to ship at least 50 percent of 

the gross tonnage involved under this contract (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo 

liners, and tankers) whenever shipping any equipment, materials, or commodities under the conditions 

set forth in paragraph (a) of this clause, to the extent that such vessels are available at rates that are fair 

and reasonable for privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels. 

(c)(1) The Contractor shall submit one legible copy of a rated on-board ocean bill of lading for each 

shipment to both—

(i) The Contracting Officer, and 

(ii) The: 

Office of Cargo Preference

Maritime Administration (MAR-590)

400 Seventh Street, SW

Washington DC 20590. 

Subcontractor bills of lading shall be submitted through the Prime Contractor. 

(2) The Contractor shall furnish these bill of lading copies (i) within 20 working days of the date 

of loading for shipments originating in the United States, or (ii) within 30 working days for 

shipments originating outside the United States. Each bill of lading copy shall contain the 

following information: 

(A) Sponsoring U.S. Government agency. 

(B) Name of vessel. 

(C) Vessel flag of registry. 

(D) Date of loading. 

(E) Port of loading. 
31

(F) Port of final discharge. 

(G) Description of commodity. 

(H) Gross weight in pounds and cubic feet if available. 

(I) Total ocean freight revenue in U.S. dollars. 

(d) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in all 

subcontracts or purchase orders under this contract, except those described in paragraph (e)(4). 

(e) The requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to—

(1) Cargoes carried in vessels as required or authorized by law or treaty; 

(2) Ocean transportation between foreign countries of supplies purchased with foreign currencies 

made available, or derived from funds that are made available, under the Foreign Assistance Act 

of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2353); 

(3) Shipments of classified supplies when the classification prohibits the use of non-Government 

vessels; and 

(4) Subcontracts or purchase orders for the acquisition of commercial items unless—

(i) This contract is—

(A) A contract or agreement for ocean transportation services; or 

(B) A construction contract; or 

(ii) The supplies being transported are—

(A) Items the Contractor is reselling or distributing to the Government without adding value. 

(Generally, the Contractor does not add value to the items when it subcontracts items for f.o.b. 

destination shipment); or 

(B) Shipped in direct support of U.S. military—

(1) Contingency operations; 

(2) Exercises; or 

(3) Forces deployed in connection with United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

humanitarian or peacekeeping operations. 

(f) Guidance regarding fair and reasonable rates for privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels may 

be obtained from the: 

Office of Costs and Rates

Maritime Administration

400 Seventh Street, SW

Washington DC 20590

Phone: (202) 366-4610. 

(End of clause)

452.247-70 Delivery Location (Feb 1988) 

Shipment of deliverable items, other than reports, shall be to: point(s) of delivery specified in the 

Government’s delivery instructions. 

(End of Clause)

4A52.247-1 Seals on Transportation Conveyances 

(a) Suppliers of commodities, products and/or services—under the supervision of a USDA-AMS 

certification agent, when applicable—shall be responsible for placing a seal(s) on all cargo doors of each 

transportation conveyance upon completion of loading, partial unloading, inspection, or servicing.

(b) Seals must meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard, (F-1157-04, 

and/or the International Organization for Standards (ISO) 17712-2010. Seals shall be 1/8-inch diameter 

cable, high security bolt, barrier-type, or equivalent device which can only be removed by bolt cutter type 

tools. Seals shall be sequentially numbered. The contractor or its agent shall provide a sufficient number 

of barrier-type seals to ensure security of the load while in route through final destination. (Suppliers of 

commodities, products and/or services shall be responsible for placing seal(s) on all doors of each 

transportation conveyance upon completion of loading or servicing (multi-stop)).
32

(c) The seal numbers shall be documented on the Bill of Lading, and shipment manifest, certificate, or 

other delivery documents, as applicable, which must be signed or acknowledged by the carrier or its 

agent.

(d) It will be the responsibility of the Contractor to provide sufficient number of seals to the carrier 

service and to ensure that the trailer is sealed after each delivery location (when destined for multiple 

recipients). The seal number must be recorded on the appropriate delivery document and correspond with 

the applied seal at the time of arrival at the next destination.

(e) When making deliveries to more than one destination from the same railcar, the quantities required at 

each stop off must be placed in separate compartments under seal.

(f) Deliveries will be rejected, in which seals have not been used to secure all cargo doors, if:

• the seal listed on the Bill of Lading does not match the seal number recorded on the Bill of 

Lading;

• the seal is broken; 

• the seal is missing, or

• the seal has been removed prior to the transportation conveyance reaching its unloading point.

(g) A rejected conveyance will only be accepted after a Condition of Container Inspection has been 

performed by Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) or Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). AMS 

or FGIS must subsequently issue a Certificate of Quality and Condition that documents that the Condition 

of Container meets the applicable U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers. If this inspection is 

performed at a location other than the contracted delivery point all cargo doors must be sealed and the 

seal numbers documented by the Federal Inspection Agency on the Certificate.

(h) For frozen products, if the load is rejected by the recipient agency, the Contractor shall return the load 

to its plant and have the product re-inspected for condition of container, and condition of the product, and 

reseal the truck in the presence of the USDA, AMS agent. The new seal number must be recorded, and a 

new certificate for condition of container must be issued and presented to the recipient agency. The 

Contractor is responsible for all costs (freight, re-inspection fees, etc.) associated with the rejected loads

(1) Conditions of Container Inspections arrangements are available by accessing the AMS 

website at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/sci-contacts

Please select AMS Federal Inspection Offices at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/sci-contacts/field-inspection-offices

(2) The Contractor is responsible for payment of all fees incurred as a result of a Condition of 

Container Inspection. 

(End of clause)

4A52.247-2 Additional Shipping Requirements

Items purchased as a result of this solicitation shall not be transported near non-human consumption 

products, malodorous products or other types of harmful items that could contaminate commodities. 

(End of clause)

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998) 

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they 

were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, 

the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): 

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

(End of clause) 

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms (Jan 1991) 

(a) Any data required to be submitted on a Standard or Optional Form prescribed by the Federal 

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) may be submitted on a computer generated version of the form, 
33

provided there is no change to the name, content, or sequence of the data elements on the form, and 

provided the form carries the Standard or Optional Form number and edition date. 

(b) Unless prohibited by agency regulations, any data required to be submitted on an agency unique 

form prescribed by an agency supplement to the FAR may be submitted on a computer generated 

version of the form provided there is no change to the name, content, or sequence of the data elements 

on the form and provided the form carries the agency form number and edition date. 

(c) If the Contractor submits a computer generated version of a form that is different than the required 

form, then the rights and obligations of the parties will be determined based on the content of the 

required form. 

(End of clause) 

D. 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive 

Orders—Commercial Items (Dec 2016)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, 

which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders 

applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015). 

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). 

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)(Public Laws 108-77 and 

108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)). 

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer 

has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or 

Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] 

 (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate 

I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402). 

 (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509)). 

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American 

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.) 

__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2016) 

(Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). 

__ (5) [Reserved].

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 

743 of Div. C). 

__ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 

2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C). 

 (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors 

Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). 

__ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 

2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313). 

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 

657a). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3. 

__ (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns 

(OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4. 

__ (13) [Reserved]

__ (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644). 
34

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

__ (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7. 

__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7. 

 (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2016) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). 

__ (17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2016) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)). 

 (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. 

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. 

__ (iv) Alternate III (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. 

__ (v) Alternate IV (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. 

__ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)). 

__ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). 

 (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcon-tracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 

637(d)(4)(F)(i)). 

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 

2011) (15 U.S.C. 657 f). 

 (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 

632(a)(2)). 

__ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged 

Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)). 

__ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small 

Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C. 

637(m)). 

 (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). 

 (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Oct 2016) (E.O. 

13126). 

 (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015). 

 (28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sept 2016) (E.O. 11246). 

 (29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015)(38 U.S.C. 4212). 

__ (30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793). 

 (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212). 

 (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 

2010) (E.O. 13496). 

 (33)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 

13627). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627). 

__ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015). (Executive Order 12989). (Not 

applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of 

commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) 

__ (35) 52.222-59, Compliance with Labor Laws (Executive Order 13673) (OCT 2016). (Applies at 

$50 million for solicitations and resultant contracts issued from October 25, 2016 through April 24, 2017; 

applies at $500,000 for solicitations and resultant contracts issued after April 24, 2017). 

Note to paragraph (b)(35): By a court order issued on October 24, 2016, 52.222-59 is enjoined 

indefinitely as of the date of the order. The enjoined paragraph will become effective immediately if the 

court terminates the injunction. At that time, GSA, DoD and NASA will publish a document in the 

Federal Register advising the public of the termination of the injunction. 

 (36) 52.222-60, Paycheck Transparency (Executive Order 13673) (OCT 2016). 

__ (37)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated 

Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially 

available off-the-shelf items.) 
35

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the 

acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) 

__ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential 

Hydrofluorocarbons (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693). 

__ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air 

Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693). 

__ (40)(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 

13423 and 13514). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13. 

__ (41)(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 

13514). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14. 

__ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42 U.S.C. 

8259b). 

__ (43)(i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (OCT 2015) 

(E.O.s 13423 and 13514). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16. 

 (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 

2011) (E.O. 13513). 

__ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693). 

__ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

 (47) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83). 

__ (48)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 

U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 

Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-

42, and 112-43. 

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3. 

__ (iii) Alternate II (May 2014) of 52.225-3. 

__ (iv) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3. 

 (49) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (OCT 2016) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). 

 (50) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, 

and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). 

__ (51) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States 

(Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 

U.S.C. 2302 Note). 

__ (52) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). 

__ (53) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) 

(42 U.S.C. 5150). 

__ (54) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 

4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). 

__ (55) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 

U.S.C. 2307(f)). 

 (56) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (Jul 

2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332). 

__ (57) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award 

Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332). 

__ (58) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332). 

__ (59) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). 

 (60)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 

U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). 

__ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. 
36

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial 

services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to 

implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] 

__ (1) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014)(E.O. 13495). 

__ (2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

__ (3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 

41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

__ (4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment 

(Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

__ (5) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price 

Adjustment (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

__ (6) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts 

for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. 

chapter 67). 

__ (7) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts 

for Certain Services—Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

__ (8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015). 

__ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (May 2014) (42 

U.S.C. 1792). 

__ (10) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sept 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)). 

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of 

this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified 

acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records—Negotiation. 

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller 

General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records 

involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, 

and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this 

contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the 

other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to 

the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. 

Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising 

under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally 

resolved. 

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, 

and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or 

maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant 

to a provision of law.

(e)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, 

the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a 

subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be 

as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509). 

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2016) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), 

in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts 

to small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the 

subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. 

(iii) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495). Flow down 

required in accordance with paragraph (l) of FAR clause 52.222-17. 

(iv) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015) 
37

(v) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sept 2016) (E.O. 11246). 

(vi) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212). 

(vii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793). 

(viii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212) 

(ix) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 

2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. 

(x) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

(xi) 

52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627). 

Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627). 

(xii) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to 

Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 

U.S.C. chapter 67). 

(xiii) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to 

Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). 

(xiv) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015) (E.O. 12989). 

(xv) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015). 

(xvi) 52.222-59, Compliance with Labor Laws (Executive Order 13673) (OCT 2016) (Applies at 

$50 million for solicitations and resultant contracts issued from October 25, 2016 through April 24, 2017; 

applies at $500,000 for solicitations and resultant contracts issued after April 24, 2017). 

Note to paragraph (e)(1)(xvi): By a court order issued on October 24, 2016, 52.222-59 is enjoined 

indefinitely as of the date of the order. The enjoined paragraph will become effective immediately if the 

court terminates the injunction. At that time, GSA, DoD and NASA will publish a document in the 

Federal Register advising the public of the termination of the injunction. 

(xvii) 52.222-60, Paycheck Transparency (Executive Order 13673) (OCT 2016)). 

(xviii) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States 

(Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 

U.S.C. 2302 Note). 

(xix) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (May 2014) (42 

U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. 

(xx) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 

U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of 

FAR clause 52.247-64. 

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a 

minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause)
38

III. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

A. Commodity specifications including packaging and packing requirements are available at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs

B. Exhibit 1 (next page)
39

AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT 1 

DOMESTIC ORIGIN CERTIFICATION

DOMESTIC ORIGIN CERTIFICATION For Fruit and Vegetable Products and Poultry 

Products This form must be completed by an authorized company official or their designee for each 

contract/purchase order delivery awarded. The completed form must be presented to a representative of 

the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), certification agent at the processing facility; the 

completed form must also be presented to the USDA Contracting Officer or agent thereof upon request. If 

imported product is brought into the facility during the production and shipment of product for this 

contract, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to notify the applicable certification branch. Each 

Contractor and/or processing facility under this contract must have a copy of this form on file. 

Solicitation Number: _________________________ 

Contract/Purchase Order Number: _________________________ 

Product: _________________________ 

Crop Year (Packing Season, if applicable): __________________ 

Does your company process or handle products originating from sources other than the United States, its 

territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands? 

 Yes  No If yes, attach a copy of your segregation plan explaing how such product is stored and 

processed separate from domestic product. 

Do any of your Subcontractor/Suppliers processes or handle products originating from sources other than 

the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands? 

 Yes  No If yes, attach a copy of each subcontractor’s/supplier’s segregation plan explaining how 

such product is stored and processed separate from domestic product. 

I certify that all products sold to the Department of Agriculture are of 100 percent domestic origin 

and that all above statements are true. I further certify that traceability documentation will be 

made available to USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service representatives upon request. 

WARNING: 18 U.S.C. Part 1, Chapter 47, Section 1001 states that “Except as otherwise provided in 

this section, whoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial 

branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers 

up by any trick, scheme, or devise a material fact; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent 

statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to 

contain materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; shall be fined under this title or 

imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. 

Knowingly and willingly making false statements for fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables may also 

constitute a violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (7 U.S.C., 499a-499t), and may 

result in monetary penalties or license suspension or revocation. 

Signature: ___________________________________ 

Print and Sign Name (Only authorized signatures) 

Title: ___________________________________ 

Company: ___________________________________ 

Date: ___________________________________ 
40

IV. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

A. 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Oct 2016) 

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. 

The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear below in provision 452.219-

70, Size Standard and NAICS Code Information (Sep 2001). However, the small business size standard 

for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did 

not itself manufacture, is 500 employees. 

(b) Submission of offers.*

(c) Period for acceptance of offers.* The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 

calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an 

addendum to the solicitation. 

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior 

to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples 

shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, 

unless they are destroyed during preaward testing. 

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and 

conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted 

will be evaluated separately. 

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, 

so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. 

If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated 

Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office 

designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be 

considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting 

the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the 

solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 

5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government 

installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set 

for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more 

favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the 

time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt 

maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers 

cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in 

the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other 

notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be 

extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal 

Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for 

receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation 

authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact 

time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile 

offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the 
41

exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the 

person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers 

and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should 

contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves 

the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The 

Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the 

lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received. 

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the 

offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may 

not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an 

award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the 

offeror specifies otherwise in the offer. 

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation. 

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, 

FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this 

solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to—

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section 

Suite 8100 

470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW 

Washington, DC 20407 

Telephone (202) 619-8925 

Facsimile (202) 619-8978. 

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of 

Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item 

descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the 

addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following 

ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/). 

(ii) Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/). 

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com). 

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single 

Stock Point (DoDSSP) by—

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm); 

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; 

or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 

19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for 

their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers exceeding $3,500, and offers of $3,500 or less if the 

solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) 

database.) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, 

the annotation “Unique Entity Identifier” followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the 

Offeror’s name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if 

applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is 

assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative 

EFT accounts (see subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity 

identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier

establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government 
42

contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity 

identifier.

(k) System for Award Management. Unless exempted by an addendum to this solicitation, by 

submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be 

registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any 

contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in 

the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next 

otherwise successful registered Offeror. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual 

confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. 

(l) Debriefing.* If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall 

disclose the following information, if applicable: 

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror’s 

offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed 

offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during 

source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the 

successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether sourceselection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities 

were followed by the agency.

*Items above marked with an asterisk (*) have been tailored in the addenda below in B.

B. ADDENDA TO 52.212-1

(b) Submission of offers. – Addendum to 52.212-1

See 4A52.214-1 Electronic Submission of Bids.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. – Addendum to 52.212-1

The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm through the “Award Notification Date” 

specified elsewhere in this solicitation.

(l) Debriefing. – Addendum to 52.212-1

 (Not applicable for invitation for bids).

B. 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose 

offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors 

considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

price and the price-related factors (inspection, freight or transportation costs, etc.) 

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all 

options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is 

unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the 

Government to exercise the option(s). 

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful 

offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without 

further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an 
43

offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of

withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

C. 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2016)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual 

representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Website 

located at https://www.sam.gov/portal. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and 

certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (t) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. [Omitted. Definitions are the same as those on the SAM website used to completed 

annual representations and certification electronically.

(b) 

(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the offeror in paragraph 

(b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications posted on the 

SAM website. 

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the 

SAM website accessed through http://www.acquisition.gov. After reviewing the SAM database 

information, the offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications 

currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial 

Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable 

to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this 

solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), 

except for paragraphs [to be entered in the bid certification question section of the WBSCM electronic 

bid]. 

[Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (t) of this provision that the offeror has 

completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any.

These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are 

current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an 

update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on SAM.] 

(c) Through (t) [Omited.] Not required as representations and certification is required electronically 

through SAM. Full text of 52.212-3, including paragraphs (c) through (t) are available at: 

https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/html/52_212_213.html#wp1179194]

(End of provision)

D. Additional Provisions

452.204-70 Inquiries (Feb 1988) 

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the 

Contracting Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer issuing the solicitation about 

any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award. 

(End of provision)

52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (July 2013) 

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

“Administrative proceeding” means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to 

make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative 

Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract 

Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only 

in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such 

as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables. 
44

“Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000” means—

(1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and 

(2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, 

indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award 

Schedules). 

“Principal” means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or 

supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a 

division or business segment; and similar positions). 

(b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value 

greater than $10,000,000. 

(c) If the offeror checked “has” in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission 

of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 

Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this 

offer with regard to the following information: 

(1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in 

connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the 

subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following 

dispositions: 

(i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction. 

(ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary 

fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more. 

(iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or 

(B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000. 

(iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or 

compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led 

to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision. 

(2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of 

this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each 

occurrence. 

(d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in 

FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management 

database via https://www.acquisition.gov (see 52.204-7). 

(Applicable for contracts expected to exceed $550,000)

(End of provision)

4A52.209-1 Past Performance with Regard to Offeror’s Present Responsibility

(a) The offeror must certify to timely performance on current contracts and subcontracts in the attribute 

questions of the IFB in WBSCM. The offeror shall notify the Contracting Officer of late deliveries prior 

to submission of bids. The Contracting Officer will determine if late performance is beyond the control 

or negligence of the offeror prior to the bid closing date of the IFB. The Contracting Officer may also 

deem the offeror non-responsible and ineligible to participate in an IFB if the offeror or any of their 

affiliates or subcontractors is delivering late and the late deliveries are not due to causes beyond the 

offeror’s control or negligence. Past performance will be evaluated for Contractor’s performance for the 

last six (6) months prior to bid opening of the IFB. 

(b) Bidders are cautioned NOT to BID on quantities in excess of what they can reasonably expect to 

timely deliver in accordance with the contract. Deliveries must be made during the contracted delivery 

period, and no extensions will be granted due to weekends or Federal holidays. 
45

(c) A false certification may result in rejection of the offer, suspension and debarment by USDA, 

termination of the contract, liability for damages under the provisions of this Master Solicitation, other 

administrative actions, or criminal prosecution.

(End of provision)

52.214-3 Amendments to Invitations for Bids (Dec 1989) 

(a) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain 

unchanged. 

(b) Bidders shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and 

returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for 

this purpose on the form for submitting a bid, (3) by letter or telegram, or (4) by facsimile, if facsimile 

bids are authorized in the solicitation. The Government must receive the acknowledgment by the time 

and at the place specified for receipt of bids. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-4 False Statements in Bids (Apr 1984) 

Bidders must provide full, accurate, and complete information as required by this solicitation and its 

attachments. The penalty for making false statements in bids is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001. 

(End of provision) 

4A52.214-1 Electronic Submission of Bids 

(a) Offers, modifications, and withdrawals shall be submitted electronically via the Web Based Supply 

Chain Management Computer System (WBSCM). Submission of the aforementioned by any means 

other than WBSCM will be deemed nonresponsive.

(i) WBSCM is available online at: https://portal.wbscm.usda.gov/.

(ii) Links to registration forms, help desk contacts, training courses, system updates, minimum system 

requirements, etc is available at:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/commodity-operations/web-based-supply-chainmanagement/index

(b) Prerequisites for creating and submitting a domestic bid response: 

(i) WBSCM Vendor Registration – If you are unsure if your company is properly registered, contact 

the WBSCM help desk, as provided in Section C below. If your company is not registered in 

WBSCM, fill out and submit the vendor registration form at the following URL: 

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/wbscm_vendor_registration_form.pdf

 Vendors will be notified via email when vendor registration is complete. 

 (ii) WBSCM Corporate Administrator Registration - Vendors shall authorize a corporate 

administrator by submitting a signed copy of the SCM2 form. A person with proper legal 

authority for the company shall authorize individuals who will serve as:

 1) Primary Corporate Administrator, responsible to—

a. Register plants

b. Create users - with appropriate roles e.g. Commodity Offer

c. Assign users to a plant

d. Update user roles, assignments, and plant registration as appropriate, e.g. delete user as 

they leave the company.

 2) Secondary Corporate Administrator

(c) WBSCM Offer Information

(i) Work Instruction for Domestic Commodity Bidding offer submission may be found at: 

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/wbscm_work_instructions.pdf under “WI and Follow 

On Activities.”

(ii) Prospective contractors are responsible for starting the applicable processes early in the offering 

period and completing the applicable processes soon enough to ensure that their offer, 
46

modification, or withdrawal is received by the exact time specified herein for receipt of 

offers. Offer submission may include processes, such as: register vendor, authorize user access 

and roles, create eAuthentication account, accept WBSCM rules of behavior, register plants, 

assign users to plants, save plant responses and submit vendor response (offer).

(iii) Quantities will be awarded in increments of USDA standard truckload quantities, subject also to 

the offer’s quantity constraints. Quantity constraints shall be entered in pounds.

(iv) Constraints - AMS does not allow offerors to enter minimum constraints, but allows entering 

maximum constraints. AMS may award any volume up to the maximum constraints submitted 

by the offeror. Any minimums submitted will not be accepted.

(v) Award(s) documents will be available on the Vendor’s Supplier Self-Service Page in WBSCM by 

the date specified in the Solicitation.

(vi) An offer requires timely submission of all plant responses AND a vendor response.

1. Plant response consists of: 

a. PRICE for applicable items shown herein on the schedule of supplies in the Bid Invitation 

Item Details Section, see below and

b. CERTIFICATION ANSWERS in the Questions section of the RFx Information tab.

Important: Submission of the plant response just saves the data entered – the vendor 

response must also be submitted.

2. Vendor response consists of:

a. Marking that NO CONSTRAINTS apply if vendor can supply the cumulative item 

quantity offered OR entering quantity CONSTRAINTS to limit the offer to a quantity to 

less than the cumulative item quantity offered, and

b. Plant responses – submission of vendor response before the Offer Due Date and Time also 

physically submits all previously submitted/saved plant responses. Failure to timely 

submit the vendor response will result in no offer for the applicable solicitation.

(vii) It is imperative that the offeror verify the accuracy of their offer/quote. The offer/quote may be 

printed from the WBSCM portal path Supplier>Bid Management>Vendor Response Log.

(viii) Bid invitation Item details section:

Hierarchy of Item Numbers (Item) is indicated by progressive indentation:

-Level 1 Material Group,

-Level 2 Material type and pack size,

-Level 3 Destination single or multiple stops,

-Level 4 Details; Material type and pack size, date range product required by, postal zip code, 

quantity, and unit of measure. Railroad information is not available unless shown. Item 

Offered price is entered at level 4 only. Items will be awarded in increments of truckload 

sizes.

(ix) Multiple stop Items:

1) Are identified by LOT: number, city state/city state in the Tendering

text at level 3 of an applicable Item;

2) Have up to three stop-offs and a final destination.

(x) Offshore Items:

Items for delivery to offshore locations require the contractor to arrange and pay for ocean 

transportation in addition to the land transportation. Offshore examples are Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 

and the Virgin Islands. Offshore locations are identified by the cities and postal abbreviations 

shown at the level 3 Item data.

(xi) AMS will not be responsible for any failure attributed to the transmission of the bid data prior to being 

accepted and stored in WBSCM including, but not limited to the following:

1. Any failure of the bidder’s computer hardware or software.

2. Availability of the bidder’s Internet service provider.

3. Delay in transmission due to the speed of the bidder’s modem.

4. Delay in transmission due to excessive volume of Internet traffic.
47

Offerors are advised to allow sufficient time to input offers on the date of bid opening due to high 

volume of internet traffic.

(xii) WBSCM Offer Form. Offers submitted in WBSCM must consist of the following areas:

1) response to attribute questions associated with the specific solicitation,

2) offer price(s) on the item number(s) the firm want(s) to be considered for award, and

3) total quantity the company wants be awarded (constraints in truck-lot or cases). 

All sections of the offer form must be completed, including prices and constraints, prior to final 

submission in WBSCM. 

Complete the certifications (attributes questions) using the following as a guide. 

1) Offer is made subject to the Master Solicitation; the applicable Supplement and/or Specification(s); the 

Solicitation; and FAR/AGAR.

2) Timely Performance Certification. All products required under any existing USDA 

contract(s)/purchase order(s) or subcontract(s) with a not-later-than delivery date prior to this bid opening 

__________________. Choose one:

(a) Have been delivered.

(b) Have not been delivered.

(c) Have not been delivered, but the Offeror has notified the Contracting Officer.

(d) There are no existing contracts. 

3) Offeror requests HUBZone small business price evaluation preference (YES) (NO). Applies only to 

firms certified in the Small Business Administration’s Historically Underutilized Business Zone program 

(FAR subpart 19.13). 

4) Furnish name, title, phone number and e-mail address of person submitting this bid (must be an officer 

of the company or a person authorized to execute contracts on behalf of the bidder). 

Note: There may be additional certification (attribute) questions depending on the material that is being 

offered on each individual Solicitation/IFB.

(End of provision) 

52.214-6 Explanation to Prospective Bidders (Apr 1984) 

Any prospective bidder desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, 

specifications, etc., must request it in writing soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective bidders 

before the submission of their bids. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract 

will not be binding. Any information given a prospective bidder concerning a solicitation will be 

furnished promptly to all other prospective bidders as an amendment to the solicitation, if that information 

is necessary in submitting bids or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to other prospective bidders. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-10 Contract Award—Sealed Bidding (July 1990) 

(a) The Government will evaluate bids in response to this solicitation without discussions and will award a 

contract to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the 

Government considering only price and the price-related factors specified elsewhere in the solicitation. 

(b) The Government may—

(1) Reject any or all bids; 

(2) Accept other than the lowest bid; and 

(3) Waive informalities or minor irregularities in bids received. 

(c) The Government may accept any item or group of items of a bid, unless the bidder qualifies the bid by 

specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, bids may be submitted for quantities less than 

those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the 

quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the bidder specifies otherwise in the bid. 

(d) A written award or acceptance of a bid mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful bidder within the time 

for acceptance specified in the bid shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. 
48

(e) The Government may reject a bid as nonresponsive if the prices bid are materially unbalanced between line 

items or subline items. A bid is materially unbalanced when it is based on prices significantly less than cost for 

some work and prices which are significantly overstated in relation to cost for other work, and if there is a 

reasonable doubt that the bid will result in the lowest overall cost to the Government even though it may be the 

low evaluated bid, or if it is so unbalanced as to be tantamount to allowing an advance payment. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-12 Preparation of Bids (Apr 1984) 

(a) Bidders are expected to examine the drawings, specifications, Schedule, and all instructions. Failure to do so 

will be at the bidder’s risk. 

(b) Each bidder shall furnish the information required by the solicitation. The bidder shall sign the bid and print 

or type its name on the Schedule and each continuation sheet on which it makes an entry. Erasures or other 

changes must be initialed by the person signing the bid. Bids signed by an agent shall be accompanied by 

evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office. 

(c) For each item offered, bidders shall (1) show the unit price, including, unless otherwise specified, packaging, 

packing, and preservation and (2) enter the extended price for the quantity of each item offered in the “Amount” 

column of the Schedule. In case of discrepancy between a unit price and an extended price, the unit price will be 

presumed to be correct, subject, however, to correction to the same extent and in the same manner as any other 

mistake. 

(d) Bids for supplies or services other than those specified will not be considered unless authorized by the 

solicitation. 

(e) Bidders must state a definite time for delivery of supplies or for performance of services, unless otherwise 

specified in the solicitation. 

(f) Time, if stated as a number of days, will include Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-14 Place of Performance—Sealed Bidding (Apr 1985) 

(a) The bidder, in the performance of any contract resulting from this solicitation, o intends, o does not intend 

[check applicable box] to use one or more plants or facilities located at a different address from the address of the 

bidder as indicated in this bid. 

(b) If the bidder checks “intends” in paragraph (a) of this provision, it shall insert in the spaces provided below 

the required information:

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (STREET ADDRESS, CITY,

STATE, COUNTY, ZIP CODE)

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE PLANT 

OR FACILITY IF OTHER THAN BIDDER 

____________________ _______________________ 

____________________ _______________________ 

(End of provision) 

4A52.214-3 Place of Performance – Sealed Bidding

(a) Offers shall accurately represent the plant location(s). Plant location is defined as the place where an 

end product is assembled from components, packaged, or otherwise made or processed from raw 

materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. Upon acceptance of an offer, 

the combination of plant location and item becomes a contract term.

(b) Offerors are directed to submit offers from only plant locations. Offers for locations representing 

non-plant locations, such as, company headquarters or Shippers Option may be deemed non-responsive.

(c) Prospective contractors need to verify, early in the offering period that the appropriate plant locations 

are entered and approved in WBSCM. Plant locations that are not approved cannot have an offer 

submitted in association with that plant. Therefore, any plant locations not approved, from which offeror 

intends to use in performance of the contract, should be added by vendor’s corporate administrator.
49

52.214-22 Evaluation of Bids for Multiple Awards (Mar 1990) 

In addition to other factors, bids will be evaluated on the basis of advantages and disadvantages to the 

Government that might result from making more than one award (multiple awards). It is assumed, for the 

purpose of evaluating bids, that $500 would be the administrative cost to the Government for issuing and 

administering each contract awarded under this solicitation, and individual awards will be for the items or 

combinations of items that result in the lowest aggregate cost to the Government, including the assumed 

administrative costs. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991) 

Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in the English language. Offers received in 

other than English shall be rejected. 

(End of provision) 

52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991)

Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in terms of U.S. dollars. Offers received in other 

than U.S. dollars shall be rejected.

(End of provision) 

52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984) 

The Government contemplates award of a fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation. 

(End of provision)

52.219-2 Equal Low Bids (Oct 1995) 

(a) This provision applies to small business concerns only. 

(b) The bidder’s status as a labor surplus area (LSA) concern may affect entitlement to award in case of 

tie bids. If the bidder wishes to be considered for this priority, the bidder must identify, in the 

following space, the LSA in which the costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production 

(by the bidder or the first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price. 

________________________________________________

________________________________________________ 

(c) Failure to identify the labor surplus areas as specified in paragraph (b) of this provision will 

preclude the bidder from receiving priority consideration. If the bidder is awarded a contract as a result 

of receiving priority consideration under this provision and would not have otherwise received award, 

the bidder shall perform the contract or cause the contract to be performed in accordance with the 

obligations of an LSA concern. 

(End of provision) 

452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information (Sep 2001) 

The North American Industrial Classification System Code(s) and business size standard(s) describing the 

products to be acquired under this solicitation are listed below: 

Commodity Commodity 

Requirements

Document

NAICS Code Small Business 

Size Standard 

Animal Slaughtering (except Poultry)

(Fine Ground/Coarse Ground Beef/Beef Patties/Pork 

Products)

311611 1,000

Bakery Flour Mix BFM 311824 750 

Butter 311512 750 
50

Canned Dried Beans / Canned Fruit / Canned Juice /

Canned Vegetables

311421 1,000

Canning, Specialty (Canned Beef Chili without the 

beans/Beef Stew)

311422 1,250

Cereal, Fortified R-T-E FC 311230 1,000 

Cereal, Processed PC 311230 1,000

Cheese, Bulk

Cheese, Process

Cheese, Mozzarella

DPPC

DNAC

DMOZ

311513 1,250 

Chicken Products / Chicken Bulk / Turkey Products 311615 1,250

Corn Products CP 311211 1,000

Corn Syrup 311999 500 

Crackers (Saltine) CR 311821 1,250

Dehydrated Products 311423 750

Dried Fruit 311423 750

Dry Beans / Legumes 311999 500 

Eggs Products 311999 500 

Flour, Bakery BF 311211 1,000

Flour, Wheat WF 311211 1,000

Frozen Fruit/ Frozen Juice/ Frozen Vegetables 311411 1,000

Infant Formula IFD 311514 750

Instant Rice Baby Cereal RC 311230 1,000

Macaroni and Cheese (Dry) MC 311824 750 

Milk, Evaporated

Milk, Instant Nonfat Dry

Milk, Nonfortified Nonfat Dry 

Milk, Ultra High Temperature

EVD

IMD

DMD

UHD

311514 750 

Nuts, Roasted 311911 750

Oil, Bulk Soybean VP 311224 1,000

Oil, Vegetable VP 311225 1,000 

Pasta Products PA 311824 750

Peanut Products PP 311911 750

Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing 

(Fresh Fruits and Vegetables,

Fresh Sliced Apples, Baby Carrots, etc.)

311991 500

Rice Products RP 311212 500 

Seafood Products Preparation and Packaging (Fresh and 

Frozen Seafood)

311710 750

Sunflower Seed Butter SSB 311224 1,000 

Yogurt DYO 311511 1,000 

(End of provision)

52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (Feb 1999) 

The offeror represents that—
51

(a) It  has,  has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal 

Opportunity clause of this solicitation; 

(b) It  has,  has not filed all required compliance reports; and 

(c) Representations indicating submission of required compliance reports, signed by proposed 

subcontractors, will be obtained before subcontract awards. 

(End of provision) 

52.225-25 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or 

Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications (Oct 2015)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision--

Person--

(1) Means--

(i) A natural person;

(ii) A corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, 

insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other 

nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as 

a business enterprise; and

(iii) Any successor to any entity described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this definition; and

(2) Does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business 

enterprise.

Sensitive technology—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to 

be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President 

does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the 

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

(b) The offeror shall email questions concerning sensitive technology to the Department of State at 

CISADA106@state.gov.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this provision or if a waiver has been granted in accordance 

with 25.703-4, by submission of its offer, the offeror--

(1) Represents, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the offeror does not export any 

sensitive technology to the government of Iran or any entities or individuals owned or controlled 

by, or acting on behalf or at the direction of, the government of Iran; 

(2) Certifies that the offeror, or any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not engage in 

any activities for which sanctions may be imposed under section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act. 

These sanctioned activities are in the areas of development of the petroleum resources of Iran, 

production of refined petroleum products in Iran, sale and provision of refined petroleum 

products to Iran, and contributing to Iran's ability to acquire or develop certain weapons or 

technologies; and

(3) Certifies that the offeror, and any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not 

knowingly engage in any transaction that exceeds $3,500 with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps 

or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are 

blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) 

(see OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List at 

http://www.treasury.gov/ofac/downloads/t11sdn.pdf ).

(d) Exception for trade agreements. The representation requirement of paragraph (c)(1) and the 

certification requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this provision do not apply if—

(1) This solicitation includes a trade agreements notice or certification (e.g., 52.225-4, 52.225-6, 

52.225-12, 52.225-24, or comparable agency provision); and
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(2) The offeror has certified that all the offered products to be supplied are designated country 

end products or designated country construction material.

(End of provision) 

4A52.226-1 Farmer-Owned Cooperatives Participation 

(a) In order to implement statutory requirements, farmer-owned cooperatives, regardless of their size status 

as a large or small business according to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) categorizations, will 

not be prohibited from participation in commodity purchases made with USDA funds (7 U.S.C 2209f ). 

(b) To comply with the statutory requirement stated in paragraph (a), all responsible (See FAR 9.104-1) 

farmer-owned cooperatives’ offers will be considered for award of commodity contracts, using the 

evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation, including the portions of solicitations normally restricted to 

small business concerns. 

(c) In order to be eligible for consideration on the set-aside portions of a commodity purchase, farmerowned cooperatives must certify their business type as either a “large farmer-owned cooperative” or “small 

farmer-owned cooperative,” as determined using SBA size standards, when submitting an offer. 

(d) The nonmanufacturer rule defined in FAR Part 19 applies to any subcontracting arrangements. 

(e) Large farmer-owned cooperatives are not eligible to be considered for, or receive, price evaluation 

preferences specific to certain special categories of small businesses, such as HUBZones or small 

disadvantaged businesses. 

(End of provision)

52.233-2 Service of Protest (Sept 2006) 

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly 

with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office 

(GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and 

dated acknowledgment of receipt from the contracting officer named in Part I of this solicitation or the 

contracting office location identified in Part I.

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a 

protest with the GAO. 

(End of provision) 

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) 

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and 

effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text 

available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed 

by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those 

provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate 

information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed 

electronically at this/these address(es): 

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

(End of provision) 

52.252-3 Alterations in Solicitation (Apr 1984) 

Portions of this solicitation are altered as follows: 

NONE

(End of provision)