Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

This PATCH represents official guidance. This PATCH is scheduled to be incorporated into the 

document listed above. After incorporation into the document listed above this PATCH will 

become obsolete. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

PATCH # 040 Update to the SCI Audit Billing Procedure (November 21, 2018)

SCI Division Inspection Series

Page 1 of 2

PATCH # 040

DOCUMENT: Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division Audit Billing Procedures

Update to the SCI Division Audit Billing Procedure

For All Audits

Beginning October 1, 2018, SCI Division will be charging all auditees for time associated with 

SCI Division audit review and certification activities, in addition to the time to prepare for, 

perform the audit, and to complete the audit report. Additionally, SCI Division will be charging 

the auditee’s for uploads to external websites or databases, if these optional services are

requested, and a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) fee for the performance of the USDA 

Harmonized GAPs Plus+ audit.

All auditors must include these new charges in the cost estimates that they provide to the auditee, 

prior to performing the audit. For estimate purposes, you should use the following:

• Audit review and certification – approximately 2-5 hours

• Audit report upload to external site like Azzule (optional) – 1 hour

• Audit report entry into an external database (optional) – 2 hours

• GFSI fee - $250.

Additionally, all questions concerning current accounts and the status of bills should be directed 

to:

Audit Services Branch – HQ

Billing Contact: Tanya Wilks

SCReimbursement@ams.usda.gov

Phone: 202-720-5021

Fax: 866-230-9168
This PATCH represents official guidance. This PATCH is scheduled to be incorporated into the 

document listed on the first page. After incorporation into the document listed above this 

PATCH will become obsolete.

PATCH #040 Update to the SCI Audit Billing Procedure (November 21, 2018)

SCI Division Inspection Series

Page 2

For GAP Audit Services

These additional charges are applied to the:

• Initial audit (failing and passing)

• Follow-up audit

These additional charges are not applied to the:

• Unannounced audit

For audits trips in which multiple scopes are requested and performed (for example, both the 

Field and the Post-Harvest sections of the Harmonized Produce GAP audit, or a Mushroom GAP 

with a USDA GAP&GHP Part 7), only one set of charges would be applied for review and 

certification activities.

For Audits Conducted by Federal Auditors

Auditors or their office personnel should no longer complete the SCI Division Vendor Form SC430 on the behalf of the auditee. Auditors should distribute this form and its associated 

instructions to the auditee prior to conducting the audit.

For Audits Conducted by USDA/AMS State Departments of Agriculture

All applicants choosing to have a USDA GAP audit performed by one of the USDA/AMS state 

departments of agriculture will receive two bills for the audit service – one from the state and 

one from USDA.

The applicant must create a billing account with SCI Division. This can be done either prior to 

the audit, or soon after the completion of the audit. To create their account, the applicant will 

complete and submit the SCI Division Vendor Form SC-430 according to the instructions 

provided. The auditor should distribute the form and instructions to the auditee prior to 

conducting the audit.

Failure to set up an account or to pay either the state or USDA bill will be reason to cancel 

certification.