DOV 

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Domestic Origin Verification (DOV)

QUICK GUIDE

• This guide is based on the DOV Specific Requirements. 

• The DOV procedures shall be organized in a method to provide easy access for your company’s reference and 

auditing, i.e., a manual.

• All requirements shall be addressed. Applicants shall explain why specific requirements should be excluded 

with respect to their operation and DOV program. Exclusions are limited to requirements 3.2.a, 3.2.b, and 4.2. 

Exclusions could also apply to either Clause 2.0.a or 2.0.b, not both. 

Domestic Origin Verification Quick Guide

1.0 General 

The applicant’s DOV manual shall include the name of the person who is responsible for 1) ensuring that the DOV procedures 

needed for the applicant’s DOV process are established, implemented, and maintained; and 2) reporting to top management on 

the applicant’s DOV program performance.

2.0 Requirements for Receiving or Purchasing Components or Products 

The applicant shall have a verifiable written procedure addressing receiving or purchasing domestic origin components or 

products from growers and/or suppliers. 

Note: A grower is an individual or entity that develops a fruit, nut or vegetable through a process of natural growth to maturity 

(e.g., plants, cultivates, grows, and harvests). 

Note: A supplier is someone whose business is to supply a particular service or commodity including, but not limited to, raw 

materials, components, or finished products (i.e., individual, processor, subcontractor, broker, or contractor). For the 

purposes of this document, the term supplier does not include growers. 

a. If components are received from growers, the written verifiable procedure shall:

 1. Describe the process used to (1) communicate the domestic origin requirement, and (2) select growers based on their 

ability to provide components or products of domestic origin (e.g., makes it a requirement of purchase, includes in its 

contracts, field checks, etc.). 

 2. Include a current list of growers along with evidence they are domestic growers (domestic addresses and/or field locations, 

etc.). If there are non-domestic growers, they must be identified as such, and included in the procedure described in 

Section 4.2.

b. If components or products are received from suppliers, the written verifiable procedure shall:

 1. Describe the process used to (1) communicate the domestic origin requirement, and (2) select suppliers based on their 

ability to provide components or products of domestic origin (e.g., makes it a requirement of purchase, includes in its 

contracts, requires DOV participation, requires trace-backs for every USDA contract, etc.). 

 2. Include a current list of all suppliers who provide components or products similar to those used in USDA contracts 

regardless of whether or not the components or products are intended for use in USDA contracts. The list of suppliers 

shall show the respective components or products for each supplier. If components or products from a supplier are used 

for domestic components in the applicant’s DOV process, the list shall include whether that supplier also handles nondomestic components or products.

3.0 Identification and Verification Method

3.1 Identification

The applicant shall describe how end items are identified. The verifiable written procedure for identifying the end item (e.g., 

code or positive lot identification) shall be included giving a detailed example of that identification along with its explanation. If 

multiple components or products are requested for DOV program approval, an explanation of each end item code or positive lot 

identification is needed for each component or product.

EXAMPLE
DOV 

February 2013 

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Domestic Origin Verification Quick Guide

3.2 Verification Method 

The applicant shall have a method for tracking the end item component or product to show that it came from domestic growers. 

The company shall have a verifiable written procedure for the method used for documenting that the end item component or 

product is of domestic origin. Through documentation, the company shall be able to provide the history, location, and activity 

(e.g., receiving, packing, processing, warehousing, etc.) of the component or product, as applicable, from the end item back to its 

domestic origin (growers).

Note: An acceptable method for documenting domestic origin is trace-back, a method beginning at the end of a process (code 

or positive lot identification) and working back through the process either to the beginning or to a designated point to 

verify that the end item came from growers of domestic origin. Methods of tracking or verifying domestic origin may 

vary depending on the facility. It may or may not include working back through every step of receiving, packing, 

processing, and/or warehousing. 

a. If raw components are not received directly from growers and have gone through an intermediary facility or stage of receipt 

but have not changed form (i.e. have not been processed), the applicant shall include in its verifiable written procedure how it 

ensures the components or products maintain their domestic origin integrity through the intermediary facilities or stages of 

receipt. These facilities or stages of receipt may include, but are not limited to receiving stations, produce packing facilities, 

and/or warehousing, as applicable. If the component or product has changed form (i.e., has been processed), follow the 

requirements for (b) below. 

b. If processed components or products are received from a supplier, the applicant shall include in its verifiable written 

procedure how the supplier ensures that the components or products maintain domestic origin integrity prior to receipt by the

applicant. 

Note: Current acceptable methods are: 

(1) the supplier is an “Approved DOV Program Participant” or 

(2) the applicant requests a trace-back from each supplier where the supplier’s components or products are used in a 

USDA contract. The applicant shall have a record of reviewing these trace-backs for adequacy and the trace-backs 

shall be on file, or the supplier’s “Approved DOV Program Participant” certificate shall be on file.

4.0 Monitoring the Domestic Origin Verification Process

4.1 Verification Activity

At least once a year, for each component or product in the DOV program, the applicant shall verify the method described in 

Section 3.2 and be able to show evidence of its verification through records. If a non-conformance is found by the applicant 

during its verification process, corrective action shall be taken and documented. The applicant’s annual verification activity 

records shall be on file for review by the DOV Auditor.

4.2 Segregating ( Preventing the Use of) Components or Products Not Intended for Customers Requiring Domestic

Origin

The applicant shall have a verifiable written segregation procedure addressing the process for segregating components or 

products that are non-domestic or those “not established” as domestic from those delivered to or destined for USDA, or destined 

for customers requiring only domestic origin product. Segregation is also required for components or products that are similar to 

those delivered to the USDA. 

a. As applicable, the verifiable written procedure shall include the process for segregating non-domestic components or products 

from those that are delivered to or destined for USDA, or destined for customers requiring only domestic origin product. The 

written procedure shall include:

1. Positive identification from receipt, through processing, packaging, storage, and shipment to show a clear distinction 

between the domestic components or products intended for USDA and those non-domestic components or products that 

are not intended for USDA;

2. Release authority; and 

3. As applicable, physical separation.

EXAMPLE
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Domestic Origin Verification Quick Guide

4.2 Segregating ( Preventing the Use of) Components or Products Not Intended for Customers Requiring Domestic

Origin (continued)

b. As applicable, the verifiable written procedure shall also include the process for segregating components or products that are 

“not established” as domestic from those that are delivered to or destined for USDA, or destined for customers requiring 

domestic origin product. Components or products “not established” as domestic are those from suppliers who are not 

“Approved DOV Program Participants” or who have not provided trace-back(s) on the supplied components or products (see 

3.2.b). The verifiable written procedure shall include:

1. Positive identification from receipt, through processing, packaging, storage, and shipment to show a clear distinction 

between the domestic components or products intended for USDA and those “not established” as domestic;

2. Release authority; and 

 3. As applicable, physical separation.

4.3 Controlling Non-conforming Components or Products

The applicant shall have a verifiable written procedure to control non-conforming components or products. 

Note: Non-conforming components or products are a quantity of product that is purchased, received, processed, packed or 

shipped that is not controlled and specifically covered by the applicant’s DOV procedures and does not fulfill the

specified domestic origin requirement. 

The procedure shall include the following elements, as applicable, based on the applicant’s operation:

1. Identifying and segregating non-conforming components or products;

2. Determining its disposition;

3. Authorizing release, such as for a program other than the applicant’s DOV process;

4. Maintaining records of all non-conforming components or products and any subsequent actions taken; 

5. Determining the cause of the non-conformance and taking action so that it does not occur again; and

6. Immediately reporting to the USDA, AMS, FV, CPB if non-domestic product is shipped to the USDA. A notification 

shall also be sent to the USDA, AMS, FV, Specialty Crops Inspection Division field office in the applicant’s area. Field 

office locations may be found at www.ams.usda.gov/processedinspection. 

7. Immediately notifying the DOV Program Manager when a non-conformance is found and it results in a necessary change 

in its DOV procedures, a change in the applicant’s domestic origin status, or a change in the components or products 

noted in the Application for Service.

5.0 Corrective Action

Corrective action records relating to non-conformances in the applicant’s DOV process shall be maintained either when 

identified by the applicant or when found during a DOV program audit. 

EXAMPLE