1 

Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR BULK PACK 

CHICKEN AND CHICKEN 

PARTS

APPROVED 

Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program

Standards and Specifications Division (SSD)

Room 3932 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Parts October

2018 – Changes from previous requirements in blue

Effective: October 2020

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

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

processing without necks and giblets. The individual chicken weight range shall be

2.50 to 3.75 pounds, without neck and giblets. 

102 Bulk Pack, 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 and over, without neck and giblets. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

each. 

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

necks and giblets; or drumsticks weighing 2.50 to 7 ounces each. 

110 Frozen, weight range, and/or packaging/packing may be specified as Tendering 

Text in the Solicitation.

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

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, AMS, SSD FPPSBulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Parts – October 2020: 

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). 

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 6100.3.

500 PROCESSING

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

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

511 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. 
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

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; chicken legs, leg 

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

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

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

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

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 690-3147. 

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

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

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

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

after delivery to point of destination.

530 Class and Style – Freshly harvested ready-to-cook chickens (broiler/fryers, AMS 

70.200 et seq.). Individual carcasses and parts of chickens shall conform to the 

definitions and standards in AMS 70.210 and 70.210.

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

(SPL-2) for Grade B parts.

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

factors except Grade B quality for exposed flesh.

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

Parts (100114) – Grade B or Better.

550 Chicken from Other Plants – Chicken carcasses and parts 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.
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

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 parts 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 Commodities Summary provided in Table 1.

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

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

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

the date of harvest.

555.2 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.

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

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

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

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

shall be examined on a continuous basis. Meat shall:

560.1 not be rancid; have a fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorinelike, or other foreign or off-odors; not 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 (Table 1)

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

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

and weighed.

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

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

SPL-2. 

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

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

and weighed for compliance with the individual weight requirements. 

600 PACKAGING AND PACKING

610 Packaging – All packaging materials shall comply with FSIS regulations
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

(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 

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, 

621.2 in covered combo bins or tanks, or 

621.3 packaged in polyethylene-film bags and packed in shipping containers. 

621.3.1 For bulk chickens, more than one chicken may be packaged in a bag. 

622 Frozen Commodity – Shall be delivered to the destination: 

622.1 packaged in polyethylene-film bags and packed in shipping containers or 

commercial bulk containers.

622.2 For bulk chickens, more than one chicken may be packaged in a bag. 

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. 
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

700 LABELING

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

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

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

required by FSIS regulations.

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). 

820.2 A purchase unit or delivery unit of bulk pack 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
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

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.

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

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

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.
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

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 certificate number or 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).

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.
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Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

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.
Approved by: DBJ

Date Issued: 04/15/2013

Date Revised: 10/22/2020

TABLE 1 – COMMODITIES SUMMARY TABLE

ITEM AND 

MATERIAL 

CODE

BULK PACK,

SMALL

(100100)

BULK PACK, 

LARGE

(100103)

CHICKEN LEGS, BULK

PARTS

(100113)

THIGHS, BULK PARTS

(100114)

DRUMSTICKS, 

BULK PARTS

(100115)

Types

Class

Style

Weight Range

U.S. Grade:

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

Whole

2.50-3.75 pounds per

ready-to-cook whole 

carcass, without necks

and giblets

U.S. Grade A for all

factors, except breasts 

may be U.S. Grade B 

quality for exposed

flesh

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

Whole

3.75 pounds and over 

per ready-to- cook

whole carcass, without 

necks and giblets

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

5.00 to 19.00 ounces each,

or from ready-to-cook, 

whole, weighing 2.50 to 7

pounds, without necks and

giblets. Large legs shall be 

13.6 ounces or more

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook without back

portion

2.50 to 10.50 ounces each, or

from ready-to- cook, whole

weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds, 

without necks and giblets

U.S. Grade B or Better

Chilled or Frozen

Broiler/Fryer

Ready-to-Cook

2.50 to 7.00 ounces each, or

from ready-to-cook, whole,

weighing 2.50 to 7 pounds, 

without necks and giblets

U.S. Grade A for all factors, 

except U.S. Grade B quality

for exposed flesh