Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

SUPPLEMENT 212 TO THE 

AMS MASTER SOLICITATION

 APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

Room 2624 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 692-0342

 Effective: March 2015

PURCHASE OF FRESH CHILLED BONELESS BEEF PRODUCTS FOR FURTHER 

PROCESSING INTO FULLY COOKED ITEMS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FEDERAL FOOD

AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This document provides additional program requirements for the purchase of Fresh Chilled 

Boneless Beef Products by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the applicable 

Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) (Exhibit A).

100 INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS

110 The fresh chilled boneless beef products will be purchased on a competitive bid basis

from qualified suppliers who have met the requirements described in this Section. 

Interested suppliers may submit a technical proposal at any time during the purchase

program. Suppliers should allow 10 working days, from USDA’s receipt of the technical 

proposal for notification of evaluation results. A supplier is deemed eligible upon 

notification of approval of the technical proposal by the Food Safety and Commodity 

Specification (FSCS) Division.

120 Submission of a technical proposal is not binding on USDA. Actual purchases will be 

described in the AMS Master Solicitation and Solicitations.

130 Documentation Requirements

131 Technical Proposal Requirement

131.1 Include a detailed description of the boneless beef product offered and each of the 

production steps that are taken to meet or exceed the minimum product requirements 

set forth in the FPPS. (Plan/Do)

131.2 Describe all the quality assurance methods used to verify conformance to all 

requirements. This will include the monitoring and measurements taken during the 

process to verify conformance with each requirement. All measurement results shall 

be recorded and made available to AMS. (Check)

131.3 Identify all corrective actions to be taken if deviations from contractual and 

specification requirements occur during production, and all preventative actions to be 

taken to preclude a reoccurrence. (Act)
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Date Revised: 03/30/15

131.4 The technical proposal shall follow the format as shown in Exhibit B. Technical 

proposals should be brief and concise.

131.5 The technical proposal shall be preceded by the following, as required by the 

template:

131.5.1 Table of Contents listing the major areas as they appear in the technical proposal;

and

131.5.2 List of attachments, forms provided with the technical proposal, if appropriate with the 

applicable document name and reference number.

132 The FSCS Division will review each technical proposal to determine if the proposal is 

adequate and will notify the supplier of the status of their technical proposal and their 

eligibility to bid.

133. Animal Welfare Requirements

133.1 All contractors and subcontractors must meet the animal handling and welfare 

requirements set forth in the Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) For 

Animal Handling and Welfare, effective January 2015 (Exhibit C).

200 INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

210 The following procedures establish the acceptable minimum requirements for 

the format and content of the technical proposal:

210.1 The Government has provided a technical proposal format which is to be used in 

preparing the technical proposal (see Exhibit B). The supplier shall submit the

technical proposal as an email file attachment to AMS 

(Darin.Doerscher@ams.usda.gov and Steve.Whisenant@ams.usda.gov). The 

technical proposal shall be saved in a non-portable document file format (not PDF; 

e.g., Microsoft Word). The technical proposal must be submitted in its entirety. If the file

size of the technical proposal is too large to send in a single email, it may be divided

and sent in multiple emails (i.e., Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, etc.). The collection of

attachments and appendices may be submitted as a separate document as well.

210.2. The technical proposal must be submitted by an authorized agent of the company.

210.3 While it is not the desire of the Government to penalize an offeror for non-compliance 

with formatting instructions, technical evaluators may have difficulty evaluating the 

technical proposal to the fullest extent possible if the proposal is not presented in the 

proper format. Technical evaluators will not be required to search other subsections 

or sections of the offeror’s technical proposal for information requested in the 

evaluation.

220 Technical Proposal Revisions

221 Changes to a supplier’s technical proposal may be submitted at any time or at the 
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Date Revised: 03/30/15

request of the FSCS Division. All technical proposal revisions must meet the following

criteria:

221.1 Any changes to a technical proposal made by the supplier after its initial submittal 

shall be accomplished by submitting an entire technical proposal. A cover letter must

be submitted with the changes identified and an explanation of the need for the 

change. The supplier shall include the revision date and the appropriate page 

number(s).

221.2 Changes from the original technical proposal shall be highlighted and deletions in

strikeouts.

300 ASSESSMENT BY THE QUALITY ASSESSMENT (QA) DIVISION

310 Once a supplier is notified by the FSCS Division that the technical proposal meets the 

applicable criteria, the Quality Assessment (QA) Division will contact the supplier to 

set up a pre-award onsite capability assessment audit of the facility’s processes, food 

security plan, and quality control program used to produce the product(s) to 

determine the supplier’s ability to meet contractual requirements.

320 Pre-Award Onsite Capability Assessment Audit

321 Food Defense Assessment

321.1 The QA Division will conduct a food defense audit that will include, but is not limited 

to, a thorough evaluation of the potential contractors’ and subcontractors’ food 

defense plan. Documentation must support the contractor’s or subcontractor’s food 

defense plan. If the report demonstrates that the food defense plan is inadequate, 

the applicant will be notified by the FSCS Division that they are ineligible to bid. The

applicant will have an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies, modify their food 

defense plan and resubmit a brief description for further consideration. Eligibility will 

depend on whether the modifications demonstrate compliance with their food defense 

plan.

322 Slaughter Requirement

322.1 The QA Division will conduct monthly Harvesting (slaughter) audits based on the 

requirements stated in the attached FPPS and the company’s approved technical 

proposal. The audit will review the humane handling and adherence to the nonambulatory disabled animals. Documentation must support the contractor’s or 

subcontractor’s adherence to meeting the harvesting requirements as set forth in the 

FPPS.

323 Documentation must support:

323.1 the production of the fresh boneless beef product that complies with the applicable 

specification and the potential contractor’s approved technical proposal, and
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Date Revised: 03/30/15

323.2 the contractor’s or subcontractor’s food security plan. In addition, the audit will consist 

of the review of records related to purchasing, receiving, production, quality control, 

inventory and shipping records, and interviews with management and production 

personnel.

324 Upon completion of the onsite capability assessment, the auditor will provide either a 

verbal or email notification of the audit findings to the FSCS Division to determine 

(based on the audit findings), supplier eligibility to bid. Supplier will be notified by the 

FSCS Division and the official final report will be sent once released from the QA 

Division.

324.1 If the audit findings demonstrate that the process or food security plan is inadequate, 

the applicant will be notified by the FSCS Division that they are ineligible to bid. The 

supplier will have an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies, modify their 

process, food security plan, and/or technical proposal, and resubmit for further 

consideration.

324.2 Eligibility will depend on whether the modifications demonstrate that:

324.2.1 the process is capable of delivering fresh boneless beef products in compliance with 

the FPPS,

324.2.2 the supplier is in compliance with their food security plan,

324.2.3 includes the applicable assessment by USDA, and 

324.2.4 the supplier complies with other applicable contractual requirements.

330 Post-Award Assessment Audit

331 Eligible suppliers who receive contracts must have their documented food security

plan, technical proposal, and supporting documentation readily available for review by 

the FSCS Division 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 the FSCS Division or AMS 

agents.

332 The QA Division will conduct an onsite audit of the contractor’s and subcontractor’s 

facility(s) and processes when production commences for the first contract awarded. 

Additional audits will be conducted as determined by the FSCS Division, but not less 

than once per month for contractors or subcontractors with continuous or multiple 

contracts, or once per contract for intermittent contractors. At the discretion of the 

FSCS Division, more frequent audits may be conducted when audit deficiencies are 

detected.

340 Post-Award Actions

341 Any deviation from contractual requirements will be immediately reported by the 

contractor to the Contracting Officer and FSCS Division. The Contracting Officer or 
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Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

FSCS Division will notify the contractor regarding eligibility to continue to participate 

as a contractor.

342 Contractor will assure that the delivered product complies with the provisions of the 

FPPS, the applicable assessment by USDA, and the contractor’s technical proposal

approved by the FSCS Division.

350 The cost of all audit, product monitoring, and certification services performed by the 

AMS agents must be borne by the contractor. This includes, but is not limited to, 

audits, examinations, supervision, official documentation, and related services.

351 Questions concerning charges and the availability of AMS agents can contact 

USDA/AMS, LPS Program’s QA Division field office or the Director of the QA

Division, LPS Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-

3271.

400 PAST PERFORMANCE

410 Supplier Monitoring Program Requirements

411 Boneless beef suppliers’ performance as a contractor or subcontractor on contracts 

awarded by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be evaluated monthly on a 180 

day (6 month) basis or cycle.

412 The evaluation will consist of all non-conformances (NC) that were identified by the 

QA Division auditor. The NC’s will be categorized as critical, major, or minor based 

on their impact on the quality, safety, or value of the involved product.

413 The accumulation of at least two critical NC’s, one critical/two major NC’s, three major 

NC’s, or a total five NC’s in any combination, (i.e., critical, major, or minor) within the 

monthly 180 day (6 month review) will result in the boneless beef supplier being 

deemed ineligible by the FSCS Division to supply fresh boneless beef product to AMS 

contractors to fill USDA contracts.

413.1 To regain eligibility status, the boneless beef supplier must submit appropriate

corrective and preventative measures to FSCS Division for evaluation and the 

measures must be verified by QA Division as effective. The FSCS Division will notify 

the boneless beef supplier when eligibility to supply boneless beef has been 

reinstated.

414 The microbial test results will be analyzed separately under statistical process

controls.

415 The criteria for the three categories of non-conformances are as follows:
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Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

415.1 Critical

415.1.1 Production non-conformances--a complete breakdown of the production process

has occurred. It is apparent that the company cannot produce product that complies 

with contract requirements.

415.2 Major

415.2.1 Production non-conformances--major deviation from the production process has

occurred that significantly impacts the quality or performance of the product. It is

questionable if the company can consistently produce product that complies with

contract requirements.

415.3 Minor

415.3.1 Production non-conformances--minor deviation from the production process has

occurred that minimally impacts the quality or performance of the product. It is likely 

that the company can produce a product that complies with contract requirements.

420 Sustained Acceptable Performance

421 A contractor or subcontractor will be deemed ineligible to supply fresh 

boneless beef products or ground beef for the USDA purchase programs if:

421.1 The contractor or subcontractor is subject to a Class I recall; or

421.2 Based on an evaluation of all AMS test results for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella 

during the previous calendar quarter, the incident rate for either boneless beef or 

ground beef exceeds the central line (cl) values set forth in Appendix B of the 

referenced FPPS (Exhibit A).

422 If deemed ineligible, a contractor or subcontractor must:

422.1 perform a cause-and-effect analysis,

422.2 submit the corrective and preventative actions to FSCS Division for review and 

approval,

422.3 have a successful corrective action audit conducted.

422.4 FSCS Division will notify the boneless beef supplier when eligibility to supply 

boneless beef has been reinstated.

500 DOMESTIC ORIGIN CERTIFICATION CLAUSE

510 The contractor agrees to include this domestic origin certification clause in its entirety 

in all subcontracts for meat or meat products used in fulfilling any contracts awarded 

under this Supplement and Master Solicitation. The burden of proof of compliance is 
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Date Revised: 03/30/15

on the Contractor. All raw materials will be shipped in containers labeled as 

“Domestic Only Product” on the principle display panel and the bill of lading 

accompanying the shipment will contain the statement “Domestic Only Product.”

600 CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE (COC)

610 In addition to the referenced payment documents required in the Master Solicitation,

please include a copy of the Contractor’s Certificate of Conformance (Exhibit D).

700 CONTRACTOR CHECKLOADING

710 Contractor will perform checkloading examinations as described in the FPPS at 

the time of shipment and issue contractor’s certificate to accompany each 

shipment that includes all of the following information:

710.1 Purchase Order Number,

710.2 Sales Order and Sales Order Item Number,

710.3 Name of product,

710.4 Shipping Date,

710.5 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced,

710.6 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each production 

lot,

710.7 Identity of car or truck (car numbers and letters, seals, truck license, etc.) as 

applicable

710.8 Contractor certification that product conforms with the FPPS,

710.9 Count and projected net weight verified, and

710.10 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.

800 EXHIBITS
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/14

Date Revised: 03/30/15

SUPPLEMENT 212 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR FRESH CHILLED, 

BONELESS BEEF FOR 

FURTHER PROCESSING

INTO FULLY COOKED ITEMS

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 

Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

Room 2628 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 692-0342

Supersedes: FPPS BB April 2014 – Changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: March 2015

100 SCOPE

101 This FPPS – Boneless Beef (BB) – 2015 is for use by a contractor of the 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS, Commodity Procurement (CP) Staff to 

deliver fresh-chilled (never previously frozen) boneless beef for further processing 

into fully cooked items.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, FPPSBB-2015:

210.1 Quality Assessment (QA) Division Procedures Manual.

210.2 Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Directive 10,010.1 Revision 3.

210.3 Applicable Supplement to AMS Master Solicitation.

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

301 The contractor’s technical proposal must describe a process plan with a 

documented quality control program that includes procedures, records, forms,

etc., that demonstrate conformance with the following AMS Checklist of

Requirements. FSCS Division may request changes to the technical proposal at

any time.

302 Substitution Programs - Contractors that may produce boneless beef for 

processing into fully cooked items for direct sales to further processors that hold 

QA Division substitution plans will declare this in their technical proposal. It is the 

contractor’s responsibility to ensure that substitutable boneless beef raw materials 

sold to further processors for use as substitutable product are produced and 

managed according to provisions outlined in Section 301.
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310 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FRESH-CHILLED BONELESS BEEF

311 Domestic Origin and Harvest (Slaughter) Requirements – The harvester’s 

quality control program must be documented and have received a 

satisfactory onsite capability assessment by QA Division prior to supplying 

materials for the program. Additionally, each plant is subjected to 

verification audits conducted by QA Division during production activities 

that demonstrate its adherence to the documented program. Boneless 

beef shall be derived from cattle harvested at facilities that comply with the 

following origin and harvest requirements.

312 Domestic Origin - All beef will originate from U.S. produced livestock as 

defined within the Master Solicitation and Supplement.

313 Humane Handling - All cattle shall be humanely handled in accordance 

with all applicable FSIS regulations and AMS requirements.

314 Spinal Cord Removal – All spinal cord tissue must be removed during the 

harvesting process.

315 Pathogen Intervention – The harvest process must include at least two 

pathogen intervention steps. One of the intervention steps must be a 

critical control point (CCP) in the establishment’s FSIS recognized harvest 

process Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan and the CCP 

intervention(s) must be scientifically validated to achieve a three-log 

reduction of enteric pathogens.

316 Carcass Testing - Routinely test carcasses for Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia 

coli O157:H7 (including O157:H7 and O157:Non-Motile (NM); herein 

referred to as E.coli O157:H7) at CCP to verify effectiveness of 

interventions.

317 Grass Fed – When specified in the invitation, boneless beef destined to be 

labeled as grass fed shall be supported by documentation and the FSIS 

approved label which substantiates such a claim.

318 Residue Prevention – Harvest and production establishments must have a 

HACCP system to control veterinary drug, pesticide, and environmental 

contaminant residues per FSIS regulations. Helpful information is available 

in the FSIS Compliance Guide for Residue Prevention 2013.

319 Boneless Beef Requirements 

319.1 Traceability – Boneless beef shall be traceable to sources that comply with 

the above domestic origin and harvest requirements. 
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319.2 Handling - All boneless beef must be maintained in excellent condition. 

The contractor’s technical proposal shall include detailed production 

scheduling that addresses time and temperature controls necessary to 

maintain excellent condition of the boneless beef.

319.3 Boneless beef commonly referred to by the industry as XF trimmings (e.g., 

Beef Fat with Visible Lean) is not allowed as a standalone raw material 

source.

319.4 Objectionable materials - The following objectionable materials shall be 

excluded:

319.4.1 Major lymph glands (prefemoral, popliteal, and prescapular), thymus 

gland, sciatic (ischiatic) nerve (lies medial to the outside round), and

internal fat (kidney, pelvic, and heart fat). 

319.4.2 All bone, cartilage, shoulder tendon, elbow tendon, silver skin from the 

outside round, sacrociatic ligament, opaque periosteum, serous 

membrane (peritoneum), tendinous ends of shanks, patellar ligament 

(stifle joint), gracilis membrane (from the inside round), achilles tendon, 

back strap and abdominal tunic.

319.5 Mechanical Separation - Boneless beef that is mechanically separated 

from bone with automatic deboning systems, advanced lean (meat) 

recovery (AMR) systems or powered knives, will not be allowed.

319.6 Lot - A lot shall consist of a single combo sized bin of approximately 2,000 

pounds of boneless beef produced within a day, between “cleanup to 

cleanup” (see APPENDIX C) and that is from a single harvester or from a

single processor. 

319.7 Microbial Testing – All lots of fresh chilled boneless beef must be tested 

for all indicator microorganisms listed in APPENDIX B. All samples will be 

sent to the AMS designated laboratory (ADL). 

319.7.1 Sample Preparation and Handling - The ADL will be responsible for 

supplying procedures for sample preparation, and submission. The ADL

shall require contractors to submit this form as an official record with each 

sample. Samples submitted for boneless beef produced under a

substitution plan will be appropriately identified on the ADL sample 

submission form. The ADL will also be responsible for supplying shipping 

supplies (including sampling bags and shipping materials), to each 

contractor. Contractor’s technical proposal will include and describe 

sample collection and preparation procedures provided by the ADL. 
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319.7.2 Sample Selection 

319.7.2.1 For Beef Manufacturing Trimmings – The composite sample will be 

selected as described within FSIS Directive 10,010.1 Revision 3 (N-60 

Sections 8, 9 and NOTE).

319.7.2.2 For every lot of beef Manufacturing Trimmings, one sample will be 

prepared from five (5) pieces of trim from five (5) different pieces of beef 

product. The sample for indicator microorganisms (aerobic plate count, 

total coliform and generic E. coli) will weigh 25 grams ± 10 percent.

319.7.2.3 Alternative sample collection methods may be used provided they are 

approved by AMS as equivalent to the manual excision protocols 

referenced in Section 319.7.2.1. The supplier’s technical proposal will 

include and describe any proposed alternative sample collection and 

preparation methods and procedures.

319.7.2.4 When boneless beef has been exposed to any anti-microbial treatment, no 

sample units shall be selected for at least 15 minutes after such treatment. 

All anti-microbial treatments (e.g. techniques and procedures) 

administered during production and post-production shall be described in 

the supplier’s technical proposal.

319.7.2.5 If the contractor plans to do microbiological testing in addition to that 

required by AMS, the technical proposal must identify in detail such 

testing, including location of sample collection, frequency of sample 

collection, and intended use of testing results. AMS will make a 

determination of whether such additional sampling and testing constitutes 

“prescreening,” in which case it will not be allowed.

319.7.3 Testing and Results 

319.7.3.1 The microbiological testing for all indicator microorganisms will be in 

accordance with the applicable AMS-approved testing methodologies.

319.7.3.2 When the critical limit is exceeded for indicator microorganisms, the 

boneless beef contractor will notify the FSCS Division of the final 

disposition of the affected lot.

319.7.3.3 The ADL will record results of all indicator microorganisms’ analysis in a 

format that can be easily captured and analyzed.

319.7.3.4 The ADL will record all results on spreadsheets and calculate the process 

capability (CPU) for indicator organism tests performed on production lots 

as outlined in Section 319.7.4.

319.7.3.5 Any lot that exceeds the critical limit criteria of APPENDIX B cannot be 

delivered to the USDA.
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319.7.4 Statistical Process Capability – The statistical process capability of a 

boneless beef contractor to comply with microbial requirements will be 

based on the assessment of calculated process capability (CPU) derived 

from the individual combo test results representing one (1) 2,000 pound 

combo lot randomly selected by the ADL from every five (5) consecutive 

individual 2,000 pound combo lots produced each production day. In the 

event that a production day concludes with less than five (5) consecutive 

individual 2,000 pound combo lots, a randomly selected test result will be 

utilized from one of the remaining lots. The spreadsheets will be 

maintained so that process capability assessment on the twenty (20) lots 

can be determined as described within APPENDIX B. Test results 

involving all boneless beef offered for testing for AMS purchase programs 

will be monitored by AMS and the contractor, to determine individual lot 

acceptance and/or capability of their process according to APPENDIX B. 

Ineligible boneless beef contractor may re-enter the program under 

conditional status provided corrective actions have been submitted for 

review and approved, implemented and a satisfactory onsite corrective 

action audit by QA Division has been conducted. Upon notification by the 

FSCS Division that the plan has adequately addressed the issues that 

resulted in the ineligible status determination, the boneless beef contractor 

may re-enter the program under conditional status.

319.7.5 Contractor’s Responsibility - The contractor will provide results and 

process capability status (as applicable) involving each lot of boneless

beef to be delivered to the USDA. Test results and process capability 

status (as applicable) for individual lots shall be provided to the QA 

Division agent upon request. In the event a boneless beef contractor has 

been deemed ineligible, and wants to continue in the program, the 

ineligible boneless beef contractor may re-enter the program under 

conditional status provided corrective actions have been submitted for 

review and have been deemed approved, implemented and a satisfactory 

onsite corrective action audit by QA Division has been conducted. Upon 

notification by the FSCS Division that the plan has adequately addressed 

the issues that resulted in the ineligible status determination the boneless 

beef contractor may re-enter the program under conditional status.

319.7.6 Supplier request to remove samples from AMS testing must be submitted 

and approved by FSCS Division prior to sample removal from ADL testing.

319.8 Lots of boneless beef tested for indicator microorganisms only (as 

described in Section 319.7) cannot be diverted for use in ground beef 

products for delivery to USDA under FPPS-GB. 

320 STATE OF REFRIGERATION

321 Fresh-chilled boneless beef shall be maintained and delivered at a 

temperature not to exceed 40o

F.
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Date Revised: 03/30/15 6

330 FAT LIMITATIONS 

331 Requirements - The contractor will establish a target average of 15 

percent fat of all boneless beef destined for all USDA destinations. The 

upper and lower specifications limits will be 18.0 and 12.0 percent fat 

respectively. Production lots with average fat results that are not within 

the upper and lower specification limits will not be shipped to USDA. 

332 Process Capability -The processors capability (Cpk) value shall be one (1) 

or higher when the average results from twenty (20) consecutive 

production lots (which always will include the last production lot) are 

calculated. 

333 Documentation - The contractor shall declare within their technical 

proposal:

333.1 Lot size, number of samples, selection and preparation procedures,

333.2 The laboratory and a test method, 

333.3 Data management and storage of fat results,

333.4 Statistical Process Control (SPC) charting methods which will include a 

process capability report (histogram) that is capable of calculating a Cpk 

value (see Exhibit A).

334 Assessment by AMS - AMS reserves the right to:

334.1 Check production records of the recipient where the contractor’s boneless 

beef is further processed; 

334.2 Select and analyze samples at the further processor. The results may be 

used by the contracting officer as a “check” to determine if fat content is in 

compliance with the fat limitation requirements; and/or

334.3 Deem a contractor as unreliable for failure to comply with the above 

requirements. 

340 PACKAGING AND PACKING

341 The contractor’s technical proposal and process will assure that all 

packaging, packing, closure, marking, and palletizing comply with the 

National Motor Freight Regulations and FSIS regulations and the 

requirements listed below. The contractor also must have procedures for 

verifying the net weight of shipping containers. 
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342 Packaging and Packing – The contractor shall bulk package the boneless 

beef within lined “combo bins” in such a manner to maintain the product in 

excellent condition. The combo bins of boneless beef shall be covered so

that the container arrives at the destination intact. 

343 Net Weight – The contractor shall have procedures that accurately 

determine the net weight of the boneless beef. Each filled combo bin shall 

weigh from 1850 to 2250 pounds. AMS reserves the right to perform net 

weight examinations at destination. 

344 Marking of Containers – All shipping container markings shall include all 

information required by FSIS regulations and the following information: 

344.1 The following statement: “Complies with FPPS-BB-2015 - Boneless Beef

for Further Processing into Fully Cooked Items”:

344.2 A code number that will indicate traceability to production lot and date. 

344.3 USDA Shield (at least 2 inches high).

344.4 Purchase Order Number.

344.5 Fat Declaration. 

344.6 The appropriate material number listed in the table below for each of the 

items:

Item Material Number

Boneless Beef Combo, Fresh 100155

Boneless Beef Combo, Grass Fed, Fresh 110091

Note: All labeling shall be illustrated in the Contractor’s technical 

proposal. 

345 Total net weights per delivery unit - The delivery unit will be 40,000 

pounds. 
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346 Sealing - All products must be delivered to AMS assigned destinations 

under seal with tamper proof, tamper resistant, serially numbered, high 

security seals that meet the American Society for Testing and Materials 

Standard (ASTM) F 1157-04 and/or the International Organization for 

Standards (ISO) 17712-2010 as required under the Master Solicitation.

Seals shall be >1⁄8th inch diameter cable, high-security bolt, or equivalent.

400 CONTROL OF NON-CONFORMING PRODUCT

401 The contractor must include a plan to assure that non-conforming product 

is not delivered under USDA contracts. The plan must address 1) control 

and segregation of non-conforming product, 2) removal of any USDA 

markings, and 3) disposition of non-conforming product, including vendor 

notification in writing to the FSCS Division of final disposition (e.g., 

diverted to cooked product or destroyed).

500 QUALITY ASSURANCE 

510 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

511 Warranty – The contractor will guarantee that the product complies with all 

specification requirements, technical proposal declarations, and provisions 

set forth in the Master Solicitation.

512 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures will be 

included in the technical proposal. These procedures will include: a point 

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

replacement or monetary compensation. The procedures will be used to 

resolve product complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.

520 Contractor Checkloading - Contractor will perform checkloading 

examinations at the time of shipment and issue a contractor’s certificate to 

accompany each shipment that includes all of the following information:

520.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line Item Number;

520.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line Item Number;

520.3 Destination of shipment;

520.4 Name of Product and applicable Material Number;

520.5 Shipping Date;

520.6 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced along with 

shipping container code(s) and the code used that provides traceability to 

production lot and date;
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Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 9

520.7 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each 

production lot;

520.8 Identity of car or truck (car numbers and letters, seals, truck license, etc.) 

as applicable;

520.9 Contractor certification that product conforms with the applicable 

specification (FPPS-BB-2015);

520.10 Count and projected net weight verified and;

520.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 10

APPENDIX A

DATA ENTRY AND PROCESS CAPABILITY VALUE

Data Entry

The ADL will record microbiological test results on spreadsheets and to have those 

spreadsheets readily available to AMS and its contractors/suppliers. Quantitative (plate 

count) results will be expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per gram or per ml 

reflecting the original sample measurement. Test results will be entered as a whole 

number (i.e., no decimal places, no preceding < (less than) symbol). 

The ADL will provide the calculated process capability values (CPU, Cl) in the 

spreadsheets so that the supplier’s process capability assessment can be determined, 

as described in APPENDIX B. 

Process Capability Values – CPU or Cpk 

The process capability value (CPU) is calculated by the ADL. CPU will be used for 

microbiological tests since these requirements only have an upper specification limit. 

Cpk will be used for fat testing requirements that have an upper and lower specification 

limit (see Section 332). The upper specification limits (USL) for microbiological 

requirements will be found in APPENDIX B. The calculations for CPU and Cpk are as 

follows:

Calculation of process capability (CPU) with an 

upper specification limit only

Step 1. The first calculation will determine the Zvalue (upper):

Z-value (upper) = (USL – Process Average) / 

Standard Deviation

Step 2. The Z-value divided by 3 will calculate the 

CPU:

CPU = Z-value (upper) / 3

Calculation of process capability (Cpk) with an 

upper and lower specification limit

Step 1. The first set of calculations will determine 

the smaller value of the two Z-values

(upper or lower):

Z-value (upper) = (USL – Process Average) / 

Standard Deviation

Z-value (lower) = (Process Average – LSL) / 

Standard Deviation

Step 2. The smaller of the two Z-values (upper or 

lower) divided by 3 will calculate the Cpk.

CPU = Z-value (smaller value of the upper or 

lower) / 3
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 11

APPENDIX B

AMS BONELESS BEEF PROCESS REQUIREMENTS FLOW CHART

Quality Control Program – Prior to bidding on 

boneless beef contracts with the USDA, the 

documented quality control program as 

described within the approved technical 

proposal must have received a satisfactory 

onsite capability assessment by QA Division. 

AMS will audit and monitor the program. The 

quality control program must specifically 

address management of microbial data to 

comply with the AMS Process Requirements 

Flow Chart and the following descriptions.

Process Assessment Status - A process 

assessment involves sampling and testing of 

20 consecutive lots (which will include the last 

recorded result as defined within APPENDIX 

C) of boneless beef (see Section 319.7.4) 

destined for USDA contracts for the organisms

listed within the table below. 

Process Capable? – Flow chart decision step 

that involves test results for up to 20 

consecutive lots (which will include the last 

recorded result) recorded in spreadsheets, 

where the process capability (CPU) value is 

calculated (See APPENDIX A) for evaluation. 

A process that is not capable shall be declared 

to the FSCS Division immediately when results 

are known and will result in switching from 

process assessment status to conditional 

status or switching from conditional status to 

ineligible status when:

 The CPU values do not meet the levels 

specified in the table below;

 Two results exceed any of the critical limits 

in the table below; * or

 After 2 or more results, the CPU value is 

negative.*

*Immediate action will be taken prior to completion of 20 lots.

Conditional Status –To regain process capable status, the boneless beef 

contractor must notify the FSCS Division that the process is not capable, and then 

have 20 consecutive results that meet the ‘Process Capable’ criteria within 60 

calendar days or in accordance with a production schedule pre-approved by the

FSCS Division. Change in status begins after a cause and effect analysis has been 

performed and corrective actions have been implemented. The boneless beef 

contractor may also declare itself ineligible at any time.

Quality Control Program 

Approved by AMS

Process Assessment Status

Process 

Capable?

Conditional Status

Not to exceed 60 calendar days

Process 

Capable?

Ineligible Status

Satisfactory 

AMS 

Assessment 

Audit?

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

AMS PROCESS

REQUIREMENTS FLOW CHART

No
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 12

Ineligible Supplier/Contractor – An ineligible boneless beef contractor will not be 

allowed to supply boneless beef to USDA until a cause and effect analysis has been 

performed and corrective actions have been submitted to AMS for review and approved, 

implemented and a satisfactory AMS assessment audit has been completed. Once 

satisfactorily becoming eligible, subsequent production will be under Conditional 

Status. The AMS FSCS Division reserves the right to declare a boneless beef 

contractor ineligible at any time.

AMS MICROBIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BONELESS BEEF

Microbial Test USL (cfu) Critical Limits (cfu) CPU or Cl Value

Standard Plate Count 50,000 / gram 100,000 / gram CPU > 1

Total Coliforms 100 / gram 1,000 / gram CPU > 1

E. coli 100 / gram 500 / gram CPU > 1
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 13

Figure 2

AMS Microbial and fat Results 12-7/20

Total Coliform Count

COMPANY = Noname's Packing

Individ.: cl: 47.7419 ucl: 179.465 lcl: -83.9811 * Rule violation

Subgrp Size 1

O

O O

O

O

O

O O O O O O

O

O

O

O O O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Individ.

cl

lcl

ucl

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

APPENDIX C

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Cause and Effect Diagrams – A cause and 

effect analysis is used to identify the cause or 

source of non-conformities. It categorizes the 

source as derived from impact on a process 

presented by Human, Machinery, Material, 

Methods, Environment, and Measurement (Test). 

The Cause and Effect Diagram will assist in 

evaluating a process and assigning the 

appropriate control point (see Figure 1).

"Cleanup to cleanup" - Part of a HACCP 

program that the establishment has in place to 

support statistically distinguishing one portion of 

production from another. Production destined for USDA contracts is to be commenced 

on clean equipment. However, "cleanup to cleanup" without other supporting 

documentation may not be adequate to statistically distinguish one portion of production 

from another. If a sample analysis yields a positive result, any product produced in the 

same time frame with the same process or equipment is suspect, unless an intervention 

occurred that would indicate a change in the status of the process/equipment.

Control Charts – A control chart is a 

run chart with statistically derived 

upper and lower control limits (ucl 

and lcl). The control chart 

demonstrates if a process is in 

statistical control. When properly 

designed, control charts provide an 

early warning of problems allowing 

for adjustments to be made before 

production of non-conforming 

products. Microbial test results may 

be plotted on control charts for 

individual measurements and fat test 

results may be plotted on control charts featuring average and range of the fat test 

results (See Figure 2). 

Effect

Cause Cause

Cause Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Figure 1
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 14

AMS Fat Data

Average Fat

Company = B

Samples: 20 Mean: 15.3664 Std Dev: .8421Cpk: 1.042 Spec Lim: ( 12, 18) Est % out: ( .0032012, .088179) Act % out: ( .0000, .0000)

Mean

-3sp +3sp

LSL USL

Target

0

2

4

6

8

10

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Cpk – Process Capability Value (Cpk) is a capability analysis index used to determine if 

a process can meet specification limits. A Cpk value of 1 indicates that the process is 

producing at least 99.73% within the specification limit. Cpk values of 1 for many 

organizations have become the minimum requirement. However, the larger the Cpk 

values the better. Cpk differs from other process capability analyses since it considers 

the process average along with the distribution of test results. Since there is no lower 

specification limit for USDA microbial requirements, the calculation for Cpk will not 

involve relating the process average with a lower 

specification limit. 

CPU - Process Capability Value (CPU) is the 

same as Cpk except that there is no lower 

specification limit. The process performance 

index is correctly known as a Centered Process 

Capability Upper Specification Limit only (CPU) 

(See Figure 3).

Excellent Condition - All product must be in 

excellent condition (e.g., exposed lean and fat 

surfaces shall be of a color and bloom normally 

associated with the class, grade, and cut of meat 

and typical of meat which has been properly 

stored and handled). Cut surfaces and naturally exposed lean surfaces shall show no 

more than slight darkening or discoloration due to dehydration, aging, and/or microbial 

activity. The fat shall show no more than very slight discoloration due to oxidation or 

microbial activity. No odors foreign to fresh meat shall be present. Changes in color 

and odors characteristically associated with vacuum 

packaged meat in excellent condition shall be acceptable. 

Also, product shall show no evidence of mishandling. Beef 

must be maintained in excellent condition through 

processing, storage, and transit. 

Flow Charts – Flow charts depict all of the steps of a 

process. Standard symbols are used to identify the start, 

finish, processing steps and decision steps. It can be used 

to simplify a complex process so that it can be analyzed 

(Figure 4). 

Histograms – The histogram shows a pictorial 

representation of the frequency of distribution of microbial 

test results over time. Sometimes referred to as process 

capability charts, histograms compare the distribution of 

the test results with AMS specification requirements. Use 

histograms along with control charts to better understand 

process capability (See Figure 3). 

Start

Process Step

Decision

Finish

No

Yes

Figure 4

Figure 3
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 15

Figure 5

Pareto Diagrams – The Pareto diagram ranks the importance of different nonconformities. Typically, non-conformities are measured against frequency of 

occurrence. The Pareto analysis is helpful 

in identifying and justifying which problems 

will need to be solved first (see Figure 5).

Process – For the purpose of this 

specification, a single process involves the 

input of a raw material on a production line 

with a value added activity resulting in a 

output that can is be further processed or 

meet a customer’s need. A complex 

process involves output being another 

processes input. The production of ground beef is a complex process.

Process Capability Assessment on 20 consecutive lots – For the purpose of this 

specification, process capability assessments are conducted on data results from each 

lot for fat and microbial requirements. A process assessment involves sampling and 

testing of 20 consecutive lots (which always includes the last recorded result). 

Information from each lot will be evaluated with information from the preceding 19 lots 

(i.e., while in process assessment of the first 20 lots, the process was found to be 

capable, then assessment will continue on lot numbers 2-21). This has often been 

referred to as a ‘Rolling 20’. This assessment takes into account process variations that 

may be attributed to product, management, sources, and time (see Figure 6). 

Random Sampling – A process of selecting a sample from a lot whereby each unit in 

the lot has an equal chance of being selected and is representative of the lot’s 

production.

Statistical Process Control (SPC) – SPC is the primary analysis tool of quality 

improvement. The objective of any quality improvement strategy is to identify and 

reduce the amount of variation. SPC analyzes the variation in a process and is the 

applied science that assists suppliers to collect, organize and interpret microbial and fat 

test results on processing of ground beef destined for USDA. 

Figure 6

Boneless defects

Frequency (%) - Samples 1 to 9

CONN TIS

LYMPH

BONE

FATINT

BLOOD CL

Category

35

21

20

10

4

Count

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/26/04

Date Revised: 03/30/15 16

SPC provides tools to help measure, identify, and eliminate variation from customer 

requirements (see Table 1). 

Tools for Statistical Process Control

Flow Charts Scatter Diagrams

Pareto Diagrams Run Charts

Cause and Effect Diagrams Control Charts

Histograms Capability Assessment

Upper and lower control limits (ucl and lcl) – Control limits are statistical calculations 

of the distribution of test results. Upper and lower control limits represent +/- 3 standard 

deviations of the process results. Data plotted outside the limits represent special 

causes of variation. A process may be considered “out of statistical control” when 

results are outside these limits. Upper and lower control limits are not to be confused 

with specification limits. A supplier wishing to be an eligible participant in the Boneless 

Beef Program shall have a process that is capable of producing within the specification 

limits (See figure 2). 

Upper and lower specification limits (USL and LSL) – Normally, the customer sets 

the specification limits. The objective of the Boneless Beef Purchase Program is to 

procure from boneless beef processors that are statistically capable of meeting the 

upper specification limits specified within the FPPS-BB. The specification limits reflect 

customer needs (See Figure 3). 

Table 1
Approved by

Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

CMS

SUPPLEMENT 212 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT B

Cover Page:

Company Name

Company Address

Contact Person, including title, phone number, including emergency contact information, email address (must be authorized to represent the company).

Technical Proposal for: [Supplement Number] and [FPPS]

Table of Contents (all pages and attachments must be number and identified – any 

attachments must be identified and referenced in the Technical Proposal).

The technical proposal should document a quality control program that includes procedures, 

records, forms, pictures, etc., which demonstrates conformance with the following checklist of 

requirements:

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

320 MATERIALS

330 MEAT COMPONENT

331 IMPS Items

332 Domestic Origin Of Meat Component 

333 Grade

334 Harvest (Slaughter)

334.1 Humane Handling

Non-Ambulatory Cattle

334.2 Pathogen Intervention Steps

334.3 Spinal Cord Removal

334.4 Carcass Testing

335 Boneless Beef

335.1 Traceability
Approved by

Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

CMS

335.2 Handling

336 Mechanically Separated

340 NON-MEAT COMPONENTS

370 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

380 PACKAGING

390 PACKING

400 CLOSURE

420 LABELING

430 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

440 DELIVERY UNIT

450 DELIVERED PRODUCT

460 SIZE AND STYLE OF CONTAINER

470 TEMPERATURE

480 SEALING

500 PRODUCT ASSURANCE

510 WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

511 Warranty

512 Complaint Resolution

600 NON-CONFORMING PRODUCT

700 AMS MONITORING AND PRODUCTION ASSESSMENT

Attachments or Appendixes - Please attach all referenced documents with the applicable 

document name and reference number.
Approved by

Date Issued: 08/11/08

Date Revised: 01/13/15

CMS

SUPPLEMENT 212 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT C

APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR ANIMAL 

HANDLING AND WELFARE

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program 

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) 

Division

Room 2628 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 692-0342

Supersedes: FPPS-AHW-2014 June 2014 – Changes 

from previous requirements in blue

Effective: January 2015

100 GENERAL

101 This document is for use by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS, LPS 

Program to ensure that the animal handling and welfare requirements for Federal 

nutrition assistance programs reflect industry best practices.

110 PROGRAM APPROACH

111 All animal harvest facilities that supply raw materials from bovine, porcine and ovine 

species for the production of AMS destined finished products must develop and 

implement a written program that is consistent with a systematic approach to humane 

animal handling and welfare as outlined in 69 FR 54625. The program will ensure 

proper animal handling and welfare techniques are conducted from the time the 

transportation conveyance enters the facility’s premises through the stunning and 

exsanguination of the animal. 

120 PROGRAM SUBMISSION

121 The program will be submitted as a supporting document to the organization’s 

approved technical proposal and must address the requirements outlined in Section 

200 – PROGRAM COMPONENTS.

200 PROGRAM COMPONENTS

201 The contractor must ensure that any facility that harvests animals has a:

210 MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

211 Steering Committee (internal) which is ultimately accountable for animal handling and 

welfare initiatives within the organization.

212 Mission Statement on animal handling and welfare that is distributed to all employees 

and conspicuously displayed at the premises.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 08/11/08

Date Revised: 01/13/15 2

220 TRAINING PROGRAM 

221 Training program on Animal Handling and Welfare that:

221.1 is provided to all employees interacting with animals;

221.2 covers the AMI Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 

2013 Edition;

221.3 is facilitated by an employee that has earned and maintained a certification of 

animal handling and welfare training, such as that offered through the 

Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) or an 

equivalent.

221.4 is conducted no less frequently than once a year for each designated 

employee; and,

221.5 requires signed documentation from each employee and confirmation by 

signature of the designated, certified trainer upon successful completion of 

training.

230 QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

231 Written quality management plan (internal) which addresses all provisions of 

Chapter 3: Transportation Audit Guidelines, 7 Core Criteria and Chapter 4: 

Auditing Animal Handling and Stunning, 7 Core Criteria, of the AMI 

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2013 Edition, 

found at the following web site address: 

231.1 http://animalhandling.org/ht/d/sp/i/26752/pid/26752

232 This internal quality management plan must also provide for routine 

assessment and monitoring of humane handling through the use of a 

numerical scoring system conducted by a trained employee.

233 All animal harvest facilities that supply raw materials from bovine, porcine and 

ovine species for the production of AMS destined finished products must have 

a fully functioning back-up stunning device onsite wherever animal stunning is 

performed.

240 NON-AMBULATORY AND U.S. SUSPECTS

241 CATTLE

242 Written protocol in-place and enforced that precludes the receipt of or having 

non-ambulatory, disabled cattle on the harvest facility premise. In the event 

that animals become non-ambulatory or disabled at any time while present at 

the harvest facility, the animal will be humanely euthanized and the carcass 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 08/11/08

Date Revised: 01/13/15 3

removed from the premise in a timely manner through contracted services or 

other means.

243 HOGS AND SHEEP

244 Written protocol in-place and enforced that ensures all animals designated by 

Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) as U.S. Suspects (9 CFR 301.2) that 

are slaughtered are appropriately segregated during the harvest and 

production processes and precluded from inclusion in any products purchased 

by AMS.

300 PROGRAM EVALUATION AND ELIGIBILITY

301 The program will be audited (external) by AMS or a firm accredited by AMS. 

The accreditation of the firm will be conducted by the Quality Assessment

Division (QAD) through the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program. Alternatively, at 

the option of the organization, the audits can be performed by QAD auditors. 

302 Audit findings thought to be in conflict with Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(FSIS) regulations will be communicated to the establishment’s FSIS Inspector 

in Charge (IIC) or designee. 

310 AUDIT FORMAT

311 AMS or the AMS accredited auditing firm will conduct audits utilizing the 

following format:

312 TRANSPORTATION SEGMENT (CHAPTER 3: AMI RECOMMENDED 

ANIMAL HANDLING GUIDELINES AND AUDIT GUIDE 2013 EDITION)

312.1 Audited organizations must pass Core Criteria 1 and 6 with a minimum scoring 

of excellent, Core Criteria 2 through 5 with a minimum scoring of acceptable 

and Core Criteria 7 must be adhered to with full compliance (zero tolerance) 

each time an audit is performed.

313 ANIMAL HANDLING AND STUNNING SEGMENT (CHAPTER 4: AMI 

RECOMMENDED ANIMAL HANDLING GUIDELINES AND AUDIT GUIDE 

2013 EDITION)

313.1 Audited organizations must adhere to Core Criteria 1, 2, 6 and 7 with full 

compliance (zero tolerance) and to Core Criteria 3, 4 and 5 with a minimum 

scoring of Acceptable each time an audit is performed.1/

313.2 The auditor shall inform FSIS and organization officials in writing of all audit 

findings, including any observations of missed stuns and/or animals regaining 

sensibility following stunning, upon completion of the audit during the exit 

interview.

1/Religious harvest (Kosher and Halal) shall be exempt from the AMS auditing of Core Criteria 1: Effective Stunning.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 08/11/08

Date Revised: 01/13/15 4

320 INITIAL AUDIT

321 Initial audit must be performed prior to award of contracts.

330 AUDIT FAILURE

331 If an audit is failed for any of the Core Criteria, the organization is not eligible to 

provide product until such a time that corrective and preventative actions are 

approved by the Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division,

implemented and proven effective.

340 AUDIT FREQUENCY AND STATUS

341 STANDARD - Until four (4) consecutive successfully passed audits are 

attained, an audit must be conducted within 3 months of the previous audit.

342 MONTHLY - If at any time an audit identifies any of the Core Criteria not 

meeting the pass requirements while in the STANDARD phase, auditing will be 

required to be conducted on a monthly basis once corrective and preventative 

actions have been approved by the FSCS Division, implemented and proven 

effective. This schedule will be for a period of time until four (4) successive 

audits are found to meet the passing requirements noted in SECTION 310 –

AUDIT FORMAT; at which time audits shall be conducted on the STANDARD 

basis.

343 If four successfully conducted audits are sequentially completed within a one 

year period while in STANDARD auditing phase, the facility may move to a 

SEMI-ANNUAL audit basis.

344 SEMI-ANNUAL - Semi-annual audits may continue until such time that a failed 

audit is reported or a period of greater than six months has elapsed without any 

audits being performed; at which time the audits must resume as described for 

STANDARD audits.

345 FOR-CAUSE – Any official enforcement actions issued by FSIS for missed 

stuns or for an animal regaining sensibility following stunning shall result in an 

immediate for-cause animal handling and welfare audit by AMS. Subsequent 

audit frequency will be determined by results of the AMS audit, as described 

above.

400 FSCS Division

401 The FSCS Division can declare an organization’s Animal Handing and Welfare 

Program out of compliance at any time.

402 The organization shall immediately notify the FSCS Division when any animal 

handling and welfare official enforcement action is issued by FSIS.
Approved by

Date Issued: 05/10/12

Date Revised: 03/30/15

CMS

SUPPLEMENT 212 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT D

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY AND SEED PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE FOR

THE PROCUREMENT OF FRESH CHILLED 

BONELESS BEEF ITEMS

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE

I certify the following:

(1) On [delivery date(s) ], [Contractor’s name] furnished the (insert the appropriate 

commodity description) called for by Purchase Order Number via [Carrier] under 

Sales Order Number/Item number(s): .

(2) The (insert the appropriate material name) is of the quality specified and conforms in all 

respects with the purchase order requirements, including [Contractor’s name] Technical 

Proposal as approved by the AMS, LPS Program, FSCS Division.

(3) Product identification, (i.e. production lot number(s)) is in the quantity shown on the 

attached acceptance document.

(4) Contractor assures all meat or meat products used in fulfilling this contract was produced 

in the United States as defined in the AMS Master Solicitation Section I.E.

Date:

Signature:

(Signed by an officer or representative authorized to sign offers )

Title: