Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

 

Federal Purchase Program 

Specification (FPPS) for Bulk 

Pack Chicken and Chicken Legs

Approved

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specifications Division (SSD)

Room 2603 S-Bldg., Phone: (202) 567-1757

Supersedes: Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Parts 

October 2020 –

Changes from previous requirements in blue

Effective: December 2022

100 Item Description

101 Bulk Pack, Chicken Large (100103) – Chilled, ready-to-cook broiler/fryer 

chickens for further processing without necks and giblets. The individual 

chicken weight range shall be 3.75 pounds or over, without neck and giblets. 

Packaged in fiberboard containers only, no bins or tanks unless specified as 

Tendering Text in the Solicitation.

102 Bulk Pack, Chicken Legs, Large (100113) – Chilled for further processing, 

either from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens weighing 7.0 or over pounds per 

whole carcass, without necks and giblets; or large legs weighing 13.6 or over

ounces each. Packaged in fiberboard containers only, no bins or tanks unless 

specified a Tendering Text in the Solicitation.

110 Frozen, weight range, and/or bins or tanks may be specified as Tendering Text 

in the Solicitation.

120 Delivery Unit – Each delivery unit shall total a net weight of 36,000 pounds.

200 Applicable Documents

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

FPPS- Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Legs – December 2022:

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

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

210.3 Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 

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

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

210.4 AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs 

(MSCP-D) and Solicitation.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

300 Checklist of Requirements

310 Domestic Products – Refer to the current MSCP-D.

320 Food Defense – Refer to the current MSCP-D.

400 Harvesting

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

Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations and requirements, including 9 CFR § 

381, and shall be done under FSIS inspection.

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

FSIS Directive 6110.1 Verification of Poultry Good Commercial Practices.

500 Processing

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

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

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

than 60 days prior to the first date of the delivery period for each sales order.

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

processing shift.

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

and traceability of each sub-lot.

520 Performance Standards – Product must be produced under FSIS pathogen 

reduction standards, as specified in 9 CFR § 381.

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

Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 

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

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

certification of compliance with the requirements of this FPPS for whole chicken 

and chicken legs; freezing; packaging and packing; labeling and marking; net 

weight; sampling; and checkloading.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

compliance with product requirements. The AMS Grader may also select 
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

samples for laboratory analyses or inspect the commodity at any point including 

transit and after delivery to point of destination.

530 Class and Style – Freshly harvested ready-to-cook chickens (AMS 70.200 et 

seq.). Individual chicken carcasses and legs shall conform to the definitions and 

standards in AMS 70.210.

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

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

Program’s Sample Plan Level 2 (SPL-1) for Grade B parts.

541 Bulk Pack, Large (100103), Bulk Pack, Chicken Legs, Large (100113) – Grade 

B or Better.

550 Chicken from Other Plants – Chicken carcasses and legs may be transferred or 

obtained from other processing plants provided it:

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

550.2 complies with the organoleptic and other applicable requirements of the FPPS 

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

plant of origin or at the receiving plant.

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

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

Substituted commodity shall meet the General Requirements section in the 

QAD Instruction 630a Poultry Substitution Guidelines.

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

plant number shall be shown on each shipping container.

553 The chilled chicken and legs shall maintain at an internal product temperature 

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

destination.

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

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

554.1 Chilled commodity shall be delivered to destination within 7 calendar days after 

the date of harvest.

554.2 Frozen commodity when specified in the Solicitation, shall be processed, 

packaged and packed, and placed in a freezer within 7 calendar days after the 

date of harvest.

554.2.1 The chilled commodity shall be placed in a freezer after packaging or packing 

and be frozen to an internal product temperature of 0°F (-17.8°C) or lower 

within 72 hours from the time of entering the freezer.

560 Organoleptic Requirements – The chilled ready-to-cook chicken and chicken 

legs shall be examined on a continuous basis. Meat shall not:
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

560.1 be rancid, have a fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorinelike, or other foreign or off-odors, contain foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, 

rubber, metal, plastic, wood); or show evidence of mishandling or deterioration; 

and

560.2 have a bright color and show no evidence of dehydration or freezing and 

thawing.

570 Individual Weight Requirements

571 Bulk packed carcasses or legs shall be examined hourly for compliance with 

the individual weight requirements. A sample of 10 carcasses or legs shall be 

randomly drawn and weighed.

572 Compliance with individual leg weight requirements shall be made prior to 

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

SPL-2.

573 Contractor Option – Bulk legs may be produced from broiler/fryer chickens that 

weigh 7.0 pounds or over without necks and giblets.

600 Packaging and Packing

610 Packaging – All packaging materials shall comply with FSIS regulations (9 CFR 

§ 381.144 Packaging Materials). All packaging and packing materials shall be 

clean and in new condition, shall not impart objectionable odors or flavors to the 

commodity, shall be safe for use in contact with food products (cannot 

adulterate product or be injurious to health).

611 Polyethylene-film Bags – Shall have a wall thickness of not less than 2 mil 

(0.002 inch); and shall protect the commodity from dehydration, freezer burn, or 

quality deterioration during the conditions of use. Closure methods shall be 

approved by a representative of the QAD.

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

polyethylene-film bags.

612 Closure methods shall be approved by a QAD representative.

620 Packing – The Contracting Officer may designate a specific packing orientation 

(bins or tanks) which shall be provided as Tendering Text in the Solicitation.

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

shipping instructions in commercial containers with a commercial cooling 

medium; for example,

621.1 in wax-coated fiberboard containers, or

621.2 packaged in polyethylene-film bags and packed in shipping containers. The 

bags need not be sealed or vacuum packed.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

622 Frozen Commodity – Shall be delivered to the destination packaged in 

polyethylene-film bags and packed in shipping containers or commercial bulk 

containers.

630 Shipping containers shall be closed by commercially accepted methods and 

materials. Steel or wire straps shall not be used for final closure.

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

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

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

fiberboard shipping containers, provided the staples are fastened into the 

container and tightly clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the 

commodity into the shipping containers.

700 Labeling

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

or the Uniform Freight Classification, as applicable. Shipping containers shall 

be labeled to include all information required by FSIS regulations.

710.1 USDA-assigned plant number, type and name of commodity, date of production 

(in easily readable character size in day/month/year format), and net weight of 

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

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

according to requirements of the State distributing agency.

720 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries

721 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a refrigerated seavan are 

required to show the final destination’s overseas address as provided in the 

Sales Order/Item Number. The address shall be clearly printed on at least two 

sides of each pallet.

800 Final Examination of Packaged and Packed Commodity

810 Net Weight – Each delivery unit shall be determined by the test-weighing 

procedures of LP Program. Containers used to ship commodity shall be uniform 

in both type and size in each delivery unit. The commodity shall be delivered 

chilled subject to an agreement in writing with the processor receiving the 

commodity, or as specified in the applicable Solicitation, it may be delivered 

frozen.

820 Test Weighing Procedures

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

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

clips, and fiberboard containers according to applicable LP Program’s 

instructions (LP, QAD 600 Series Instructions).
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

820.2 A purchase unit or delivery unit of bulk pack boneless chicken and chicken 

parts shall total 36,000 pounds (16,329 kg) net, or multiples thereof. Any 

delivery unit weighing less than 36,000 pounds (16,329 kg) net shall be 

rejected.

820.3 Net Weight Determination – Frozen commodity shall be determined at origin 

and, for chilled commodity, at destination. Net weight at destination shall be 

determined by removing the product from the packaging and packing materials 

and weighing on a direct net weight basis. The net weight of each delivery unit 

shall be determined by an AMS Grader at the contractor’s expense.

830 Internal Product Temperature

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

time of delivery.

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

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

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

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

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

units that have been tentatively rejected and exceed 2°F (-16.7°C) when 

reoffered shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

830.2.1 Optional Temperature Verification – The contractor may request an alternate 

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

a Federal-State Supervisor shall determine that the facilities, equipment, 

procedures, and the contractors’ current level of freezing compliance are in 

accordance with the established guidelines outlined in the applicable USDA, 

AMS, LP Program’s instructions for this FPPS.

840 Inspection and Checkloading Requirements

841 Inspection for contract compliance shall be made by a USDA representative, in 

accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulatory requirements, and this FPPS at 

the site of processing, both during and after processing and packaging. 

Inspection records shall be complete and made available to USDA, as 

requested, to assure contract compliance.

842 Visual Inspection for Frozen Delivery – Frozen commodity showing any 

evidence of defrosting, refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be rejected for 

use under this FPPS.

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

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

contractor shall not ship the commodity unless informed by the AMS Grader 

that the designated commodity to be shipped meets the requirements of the 

MSCP-D, Solicitation, and this FPPS.
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

900 Palletized Unit Loads

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

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

loads shall be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the shipping 

containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping container’s 

principal display panel to facilitate certification examinations.

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

shall be used in any one delivery unit.

1000 Shipment and Delivery

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

and Split Deliveries – Refer to the current MSCP-D.

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

1011.1 each shipping container shall be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance 

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

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

each shipping container prior to shipment. If there is inadequate space 

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

side of the container.

1011.2 As an alternative to stamping, the contractor may preprint the stamp on the 

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

alternative method.

1012 A copy of the original USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate issued at time 

of checkloading shall accompany each shipment.

1100 Destination Examination

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

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

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

the contractor. The origin AMS Grader shall make arrangements for destination 

examination prior to delivery.

1111 Commodity Requirements – Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity 

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

condition, identity, and when applicable, count. The commodity may be 

examined for conformance to contract provisions at any time required by the 

Contracting Officer.

1112 Temperature

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

between 26°F (-3.3°C) and 40°F (4.4°C).
Approved by: RHL

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 12/05/2022

1112.2 Frozen commodity shall arrive at destination at an average internal product 

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

exceeding 15°F (-9.4°C).

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

FPPS.

1200 Product Assurance and Complaint Resolution

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

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

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

requests directly to the Commodity Procurement (CP) Program Contracting 

Officer for review and determination. Full list of CP Program contacts can be 

found at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/cp-contacts

1220 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be the 

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

contact, investigation steps, intent to cooperate with AMS, and product 

replacement or monetary compensation. The procedures shall be used to 

resolve product complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.