Commodity 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Procurement Room 3522, STOP S-0239

Staff Washington, DC 20250-0239

SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION MAY 2013

PURCHASE OF PORK CHOPS (FROZEN)

FOR DISTRIBUTION 

TO 

FEDERAL FOOD AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This document provides additional USDA requirements and specifications for the purchase of 

frozen pork chops as described in the attached References to the Applicable Bid and Contract 

Provisions (Exhibit A). In addition to product descriptions, this exhibit also provides 

information on the Item Description and Checklist of Requirements (IDCR) for Pork Loin 

Chops, Center Cut, Boneless, Frozen, effective April 2013 (Attachment I). 

I. INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS

A. The frozen pork chops (product) will be purchased on a competitive bid basis from 

contractors who have met the requirements described in Section I.B. Interested contractors 

may submit samples and technical proposals at any time during this purchase program. 

Contractors should allow 10 working days from receipt of technical proposal by USDA for 

notification of the results of the evaluation of the product samples and technical proposals

from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). A contractor is deemed 

eligible to bid after notification by the COTR.

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

competitive bid basis as described in the Master Solicitation, this Supplement, and 

separately issued Solicitations.

B. Documentation and Assessment Requirements 

1. Technical Proposal Requirement

a. Include a detailed description of item and each of the production steps that are 

taken to meet or exceed the minimum product requirements set forth in the 

applicable IDCR. (Plan/Do)

b. 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)

c. 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)
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 2

d. The technical proposal shall follow the format as describe in Section III. 

Instructions for Submission of Technical Proposal. Offeror’s proposal should 

be brief and concise.

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

Template

1) Table of Contents listing the major areas as they appear in the technical 

proposal template; and

2) List of attachments, forms provided with the proposal, if appropriate.

f. The technical proposal should be written in the following format:

1) Plan and Do - A description of the planning and production steps taken to 

meet each requirement.

2) Check - Describes all the quality assurance methods that will be used to 

verify conformances to each requirement. This will include the monitoring 

and measurement taken during the process (all measurements results shall be 

recorded and made available to AMS upon request).

3) Act - Identifies all corrective actions to be taken if deviations from 

contractual and specification requirements occur during production and all 

preventative actions taken to preclude reoccurrences.

g. Product Sample

2 packages of product for each item offered, including the label, ingredient 

statement, and Nutrition Facts panel conforming to the IDCR (Attachment I).

2. The COTR will review each technical proposal and sample to determine if they 

are adequate and will notify the contractor of the status of their sample and 

technical proposal. See Section III for instructions for submission of technical 

proposal.

Once a contractor is notified by the COTR that the technical proposal and samples meet

the applicable criteria, the USDA, AMS, LPS Grading and Verification Division (GVD) 

will contact the contractor to set up a pre-award onsite capability assessment.

3. Assessment by GVD

After the technical proposal and samples are evaluated and approved, a GVD auditor 

will perform an onsite assessment of the facility(s), processes, food defense plan, and 

quality control program used to produce the product(s) to determine the contractor’s 

ability to meet contractual requirements. The following assessments will apply:

a. Pre-Award Onsite Capability Assessment

The pre-award onsite assessment (audit) will include, but is not limited to, a 

thorough evaluation of the potential contractors’ and subcontractors’ 

facility(s), processes, food security plan, quality control program, equipment, 

procedures, and the appropriate documents and forms used during the 
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 3

production of the product. Documentation must support: 1) the production of 

the product complies with the applicable IDCR and the potential contractor’s 

approved technical proposal, and 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.

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

report to the Contracting Officer for final review. After the contractor has 

satisfactorily completed the pre-award onsite capability assessment, the 

contractor will receive written notification from the Contracting Officer of 

their eligibility to bid. 

If the report demonstrates that the technical proposal or food security plan is 

inadequate, the applicant will be notified by the Contracting Officer that they 

are ineligible to bid. The applicant will have an opportunity to correct 

identified deficiencies, modify their process, food security plan, and/or 

technical proposal, and resubmit for further consideration. Eligibility will 

depend on whether the modifications demonstrate that: 1) the process is 

capable of delivering products in compliance with the applicable IDCR, 2) 

they are in compliance with their food security plan, 3) includes the applicable 

assessment by USDA, and 4) they comply with other applicable contractual 

requirements.

b. Post-Award Assessment

Eligible contractors who receive contracts must have their documented food 

security plan, technical proposals, and supporting documentation readily 

available for review by the COTR 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 AMS or its agents.

The GVD 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 

Contracting Officer, 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 Contracting Officer, more 

frequent audits may be conducted when audit deficiencies are detected.

c. Post-Award Actions

Any deviation from contractual requirements will be immediately reported by 

the contractor to the Contracting Officer and COTR. The Contracting Officer 

or COTR will notify the contractor regarding eligibility to continue to 

participate as a contractor.
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 4

Contractor will assure that the delivered product complies with the provisions 

of the applicable IDCR, the applicable assessment by USDA, and the 

contractor’s technical proposal approved by the COTR.

Once a contractor is eligible to bid, the contractor must follow instructions stated in the 

AMS Master Solicitation.

C. Animal Welfare Requirements

All contractors and subcontractors/suppliers must meet the animal handling and welfare 

requirements set forth in Attachment II- Technical Requirements Schedule - Animal 

Handling and Welfare 2013 (TRS-AHW-2013), effective July 2013.

Contractors/Suppliers with written programs approved under TRS-AHW-2010 (May 2010) 

will qualify under such approval until June 30, 2013, at which time they must be approved 

under TRS-AHW-2013 to remain eligible to bid on solicitations.

D. Responsibility/Eligibility

Facilities used in fulfilling USDA contracts must be operating under the provisions of the 

Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and the regulations issued 

thereunder. 

Subcontractors or contractors of pork chops (product) are: (1) ineligible if they are currently 

delivering late on USDA contracts, or USDA-approved subcontracts and late delivery is not 

due to causes beyond their control; and (2) nonresponsible if they are not operating under 

the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act or have been suspended or debarred under 

the provisions of 48 C.F.R. Subpart 9.4.

E. Domestic Requirements (AMS Master Solicitation, Section E)

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.”

F. Loading and Sealing of Vehicles (AMS Master Solicitation, Section H)

Loading of the vehicle may also be conducted by a person authorized in a contractor’s 

approved technical proposal.

II. SUBMISSION OF OFFERS

The following Item will be included in the attribute section of the offer submitted in WebBased Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) (AMS Master Solicitation, Exhibit 2):
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 5

Offeror certifies that all product conforms with the applicable Item Description 

and Checklist of Requirements and no changes to the production process or 

technical proposal have occurred without proper approval by the COTR.

 Does 

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The following procedures establish the acceptable minimum requirements for the format and 

content of the proposals:

A. The Government has provided a technical proposal format to be used in preparing the 

technical proposal (Exhibit B). The offeror shall submit the technical proposal in an 

electronic format through the company’s external portal site maintained by the AMS 

Commodity Procurement Staff (Exhibit C)). When submitting the technical proposal 

through the company’s external portal site, e-mail notification to the COTR must be 

provided (darin.doerscher@ams.usda.gov and steve.whisenant@ams.usda.gov). The 

technical proposal can be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or in a portable 

document file format (PDF). The technical proposal must be submitted in its entirety. The 

collection of attachments and appendices may be submitted as a separate document. This 

format and electronic form provided will aid in the evaluation of the technical proposal.

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

C. While it is not the desire of the Government to penalize an offeror for noncompliance 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 for evaluation.

D. Technical Proposal Revisions

Changes to an offeror’s technical proposal may be submitted based on the Government’s 

Amendments, Clarification Request, pre-award and post-award assessments, monitoring 

program, or at the request of the offeror. Maintenance of the integrity and clarity of each 

technical proposal is critical. All technical proposal revisions must meet the following 

criteria:

1. Any changes to a technical proposal made by the offeror after its initial submittal 

shall be accomplished by submitting replacement pages or the entire technical 

proposal per the discretion of the COTR. A cover letter must be submitted with 

the changes identified and an explanation of the need for the change. The offeror

shall include the revision date and the appropriate page number(s).

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

strikeouts.
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 6

Note: When revisions to the approved technical proposal are submitted by electronic 

(Microsoft Word or PDF) format in their external portal site, the contractor must provide an 

e-mail notification to the COTR (darin.doerscher@ams.usda.gov and 

steve.whisenant@ams.usda.gov).

IV. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND AUDIT SERVICES

A. Specifications for the product are identified in the Exhibit A. If documents are amended, 

appropriate amendments must be referenced. 

B. Compliance with processing requirements as described in the applicable IDCR and 

contractor’s/subcontractor’s approved technical proposal will be verified through audits by 

AMS agents. The cost of all audits, excluding travel time and per diem cost associated with 

transporting the AMS agents from a duty point into the area of a contractor’s or 

subcontractor’s plant, will be paid by the contractor/subcontractor. However, payment of 

these charges (travel and per diem cost) by USDA will only be made when the services 

rendered by the AMS agent are directly related to production for specific contracts. When 

the services of the AMS agent are performed for the account of a subcontractor, the serial 

contract number in which the product will be used must be declared to the AMS agent. Per 

diem and travel expenses will be prorated to the contractor for any official services 

performed by the AMS agent not related to the USDA-purchase commodities to which these 

provisions apply. 

C. Questions concerning GVD auditors should be discussed with the Division’s Deputy 

Director at (202) 669-5252 or Program Manager at (202) 309-1506.

V. QUALITY INSPECTION PLAN

Not required under this Supplement.

VI. INVOICES AND PAYMENT

In addition to the referenced payment documents in the Master Solicitation, Contractor must 

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

VII. AMS CLAUSES

A. Contractor Checkloading

Contractor will perform checkloading examinations as described in the applicable 

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

shipment that includes all of the following information:

1. Purchase Order Number and Purchase Order Item Number;

2. Sales Order Number and Sales Order Item Number;

3. Name of product/Material number;
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 7

4. Shipping Date;

5. Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced;

6. Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each production lot;

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

applicable;

8. Contractor certification that product conforms with the applicable IDCR;

9. Count and projected net weight verified; and

10. Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.

VIII. ATTACHMENTS
Room 3932-S, STOP 0256

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250-0201

EXHIBIT A

PAGE 1 OF 1

CHECKLIST AND REFERENCES TO APPLICABLE BID AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS

SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION

For

FROZEN PORK CHOPS

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION OFFER/CONTRACT PROVISIONS

WBSCM 

Material 

Description

Specifications 

Listed in 

Priority Order

WBSCM 

Material 

Number

Packaging and 

Packing

Minimum Offer 

Unit 

Size/Shipping 

Unit

Tolerance 

Section

Delivery 

Period 

Federal/ State 

Plants,

Section ID

Competition 

(See 

Solicitation)

PORK CHOPS 

BNLS FRZ 

PKG-40/1 LB

IDCR for Pork 

Loin Chops, 

Center Cut, 

Boneless, Frozen 

dated April 2013

110380 Packed in 1-

pound package 

packed to 40 lbs. 

net weight per 

shipping container

950 cases;

38,000 lbs. net

None First 

Half/Last 

Half of 

month 

Federal Plants 

Only 

Full & Open
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT B

(Frozen Pork Chops)

Page X of Y

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

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

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 include all phases of production and meet or exceed the 

requirements stated in the specification to produce complying product. 

Note: Please refer to the applicable IDCR for the list of requirements. This is a sample format 

and outline numbering may be different in each IDCR.

I. ITEM DESCRIPTION - Provide a brief description of the product that will be addressed 

in the technical proposal.

II. CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS - Provide a brief description of the planning, 

production steps (do), check and corrective/preventive (act) measures that the company 

will do to assure compliance with the checklist of requirements section of the 

specification.

A. MATERIAL - Provide a brief description of the planning, production steps (do), check and 

corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company will do to assure compliance with 

the material section of the specification. 

Contractors are responsible for providing sufficient product traceability and must have 

records to verify the source of raw materials used in each lot of product.

1. Meat Component (Pork) - (plan, do, check, act)

a. Domestic Origin 

b. Harvesting Requirements 

c. Boneless Meat Requirements

2. Non-Meat Components - (plan, do, check, act)

B. PROCESSING - Provide a brief description of the planning, production steps (do), check 

and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company will do to assure compliance 

with the processing section of the specification. 

1. Plate and Blade size - (plan, do, check, act)

2. Metal Detection - (plan, do, check, act)

C. FINISHED PRODUCT LIMITATIONS - Provide a brief description of the planning, 

production steps (do), check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company 

will do to assure compliance with the finished product limitations section of the 

specification. 

1. Fat Content - (plan, do, check, act)

2. Sodium Content - (plan, do, check)
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT B

D. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY - Provide a brief description of the planning, 

production steps (do), check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company 

will do to assure compliance with the preparation of delivery section of the specification. 

1. Packaging - (plan, do, check, act)

2. Packing - (plan, do, check, act)

3. Labeling - (plan, do, check, act)

4. Palletized Unit Loads - (plan, do, check, act)

E. DELIVERY UNIT - Provide a brief description of the planning, production steps (do), 

check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company will do to assure 

compliance with the delivery unit section of the specification. 

F. DELIVERED PRODUCT - Provide a brief description of the planning, production steps 

(do), check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company will do to assure 

compliance with the delivered product section of the specification. 

1. Size and Style of Container - (plan, do, check, act)

2. Sealing - (plan, do, check, act)

G. PRODUCT ASSURANCE - Provide a brief description of the planning, production steps 

(do), check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company will do to assure 

compliance with the warranty and complaint resolution section of the specification.

1. Warranty

2. Complaint Resolution

H. NON-CONFORMING PRODUCT - Please provide a brief description of the planning, 

production steps (do), check and corrective/preventative (act) measures that the company 

will do to assure compliance with the non-conforming product section of the specification. 

NOTE: When preparing the technical proposal, the offeror should follow the outline 

format in the applicable IDCR.

III. ATTACHMENTS OR APPENDIXES

Attach all referenced documents with the applicable document name and reference number.

Provide an example of the Statistical Process Control Charts and Histograms that the contractor

intends to utilize in the production process, if applicable.
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT C

Insert Exhibit D: XNET access request form

(Insert once this document has been converted to PDF. This keeps the document from change its 

outline format.)
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT D

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY AND SEED PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE FOR

PURCHASE OF PORK CHOPS (FROZEN)

FOR DISTRIBUTION 

TO 

FEDERAL FOOD AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

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/Purchase Order Item Number 

__________/ via [Carrier] under Sales Order Number(s)/Sales Order Item 

number(s): __________/ .

(2) The (insert the appropriate material name/material number) is of the quality 

specified and conforms in all respects with the purchase order requirements, including 

[Contractor’s name] Technical Proposal or Production plan as approved by the AMS, 

LPS, Food Safety and Commodity Specification Division, COTR. 

(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 Supplement 304, Section I.E and AMS 

Master Solicitation Section I.E.

Date: 

Signature: 

(Signed by an officer or representative authorized to represent the company)

Title: 
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I

ITEM DESCRIPTION AND CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS (IDCR) FOR PORK 

LOIN CHOPS, CENTER CUT, BONELESS, FROZEN

April 2013

(Insert once this document has been converted to PDF. This keeps the document from change its 

outline format.)
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT II

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

SCHEDULE – ANIMAL HANDLING AND

WELFARE 2013 (TRS-AHW-2013)

(Insert once this document has been converted to PDF. This keeps the document from change its 

outline format.)
SUPPLEMENT 304 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT III

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

SCHEDULE – ANIMAL HANDLING AND

WELFARE 2010 (TRS-AHW-2010)

(Insert once this document has been converted to PDF. This keeps the document from change its 

outline format.)