Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

Supplement 509 to the AMS 

Master Solicitation for

Purchase of Frozen Alaska

Pollock Products for 

Distribution to Federal Food

and Nutrition Assistance

Programs

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: Supplement 509 August 2021 – Changes 

from previous requirements in blue

Effective: April 2024 

100 Overview

110 This document provides additional program requirements for the purchase of frozen 

Alaska Pollock products by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the 

applicable Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) (Exhibit A, A1 and A2).

200 Responsibility / Eligibility

201 Alaska Pollock products shall be purchased from qualified suppliers which are operating 

in accordance with applicable Food and Drug Administrative (FDA) regulations and the 

U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) Seafood Inspection Program requirements. 

202 All Alaska Pollock processors and processing facilities used to fulfill USDA contracts 

shall be a USDC/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood 

Inspection Program (NOAA SIP) Approved Establishment. NOAA SIP Approved 

Establishments must meet all pertinent Federal requirements applicable to processing 

fish and fishery products. NOAA SIP Approved Establishments must comply with all 

applicable Federal regulations, including the following regulatory and NOAA SIP 

requirements:

202.1 21 CFR Part 101-Labeling

 21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

 21 CFR Part 123

 50 CFR Part 260 and 261

NOAA SIP Program Requirements, Policies and Procedures
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

202.2 To meet the requirements of a NOAA SIP Approved Establishment, processors of fish 

and fishery products may participate in one of two NOAA SIP Inspection Types.

202.2.1 NOAA SIP Audit Based Grading.

An audit-based inspection type whereby Approved Establishments implement system 

controls and NOAA SIP verifies their adherence to regulatory compliance and quality 

conformance controls through a validation audit and routine surveillance audits.

202.2.2 NOAA SIP Onsite Finished Product Grading. 

A continuous onsite inspection type service whereby NOAA SIP is present during all 

hours of production and provides certification on complying and conforming lots on a 

lot-by-lot basis to fulfill USDA contracts.

203 All subcontractors, suppliers and contractors of fishery products shall develop and 

maintain an AMS approved food defense plan. 

203.1 The USDA, AMS, Quality Assessment (QA) Division shall conduct a food defense audit 

that shall include, but is not limited to, a thorough evaluation of the potential contractors’ 

and subcontractors’ food defense plan. Documentation shall support the contractor’s or 

subcontractor’s food defense plan.

204 Subcontractors or suppliers of fish and fishery products are ineligible if they are: 

204.1 Currently delivering late on USDA contracts, or USDA-approved subcontracts and late 

delivery is not due to causes beyond their control; 

204.2 Not operating in accordance with the applicable FDA regulations and in alignment with 

NOAA SIP program requirements, and; 

204.3 Have been suspended or debarred under the provisions of 48 C.F.R. Subpart 9.4.

300 Instructions to Potential Alaska Pollock Suppliers

310 The frozen Alaska Pollock products shall 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 Standards and Specification Division (SSD). 

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

described in the AMS Master Solicitation and Solicitations.

330 Documentation Requirements
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

331 Technical Proposal Requirement

331.1 Include a detailed description of the frozen, Alaska Pollock blocks, Alaska Pollock oven 

ready fish sticks and nuggets or Alaska Pollock fillet portions and each of the 

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

set forth in the FPPS. (Plan/Do)

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

requirements. This shall 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 and/or Department of Commerce (DOC). (Check)

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

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

preclude a reoccurrence. (Act)

331.4 The technical proposal shall follow the format as shown in Exhibit B, B1 and B2. 

Technical proposals should be brief and concise.

331.5 The technical proposal shall be preceded by the following, as required by the template:

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

331.5.2 List of attachments and forms provided with the technical proposal with the applicable 

document name and reference number.

332 The SSD shall review each technical proposal to determine if it is adequate and shall

notify the supplier of the status and their eligibility to bid.

400 Instructions for Submission of Technical Proposal

410 The following procedures establish the acceptable minimum requirements for the 

format and content of the technical proposal:

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

technical proposal (see Exhibit B, B1 and B2). The supplier shall submit the technical 

proposal as an email file attachment to AMS (mark.lemon@usda.gov and 

TechnicalApprovals@usda.gov). The technical proposal shall be saved in a nonportable document file format (not PDF; e.g., Microsoft Word). The technical proposal

shall 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. 

410.2. The technical proposal shall be submitted by an authorized agent of the company.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

410.3 While it is not the desire of the Government to penalize a supplier 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 shall not be required to search other subsections 

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

evaluation.

420 Technical Proposal Revisions

421 Changes to a supplier’s technical proposal may be submitted at any time or at the request 

of the SSD. All technical proposal revisions shall meet the following criteria:

421.1 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 shall 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).

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

strikeouts. 

500 Assessment by the Quality Assessment (QA) Division

510 Once a supplier is notified by the SSD that the technical proposal meets the applicable 

criteria, the QA Division shall contact the supplier to set up a pre-award onsite capability 

assessment audit of the facility’s processes, food defense plan, and quality control 

program used to produce the product(s) to determine the supplier’s ability to meet 

contractual requirements.

520 Pre-Award Onsite Capability Assessment Audit

521 Food Defense Assessment

521.1 The QA Division shall conduct a food defense audit that shall include, but is not limited 

to, a thorough evaluation of the potential supplier’s food defense plan. Documentation 

shall support the supplier’s food defense plan. If the report demonstrates that the food 

defense plan is inadequate, the supplier shall be notified by the SSD that it is ineligible 

to bid. The supplier shall have an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies, modify 

its food defense plan and contact the QA Division. Eligibility shall depend on whether 

the modifications demonstrate compliance with the food defense plan.

522 Documentation shall support:

522.1 the production of the frozen Alaska Pollock product that complies with the applicable 

FPPS and the potential supplier’s approved technical proposal, and
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

522.2 the supplier’s food defense plan. In addition, the audit shall consist of the review of 

records related to purchasing, receiving, production, quality control, inventory and 

shipping records, and interviews with management and production personnel.

523 Upon completion of the onsite capability assessment, the auditor shall provide either a 

verbal or email notification of the audit findings to the SSD to determine (based on the 

audit findings), supplier eligibility to bid. Supplier shall be notified by the SSD and the 

official final report shall be sent once released from the QA Division.

523.1 If the audit findings demonstrate that the process or food defense plan is inadequate, 

the supplier shall be notified by the SSD that it is ineligible to bid. The supplier shall

have an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies, modify its process, food defense

plan, and/or technical proposal, and resubmit to SSD for further consideration.

523.2 Eligibility shall depend on whether the modifications demonstrate that:

523.2.1 the process is capable of delivering frozen Alaska Pollock product in compliance with 

the FPPS,

523.2.2 the supplier is in compliance with its food defense plan,

523.2.3 a successful QA Division corrective action audit is conducted, and 

523.2.4 the supplier complies with other applicable contractual requirements.

530 Post-Award Assessment Audit

531 Eligible suppliers who receive contracts shall have their documented food defense plan, 

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

SSD or AMS agents. Records may be maintained on hard copy or electronic media. 

However, records maintained as electronic media shall be made available in printed 

form immediately upon request by the SSD or AMS agents.

532 The QA Division shall conduct an onsite audit of the supplier’s facility(s) and processes 

when production commences for the first contract awarded. Additional audits shall be 

conducted as determined by the SSD, but not less than once per month for suppliers 

with continuous or multiple contracts, or once per contract for intermittent suppliers. At 

the discretion of the SSD, more frequent audits may be conducted when audit 

deficiencies are detected.

540 Post-Award Actions

541 Any deviation from contractual requirements shall be immediately reported by the 

supplier to the Contracting Officer and SSD. The Contracting Officer or SSD shall notify 

the supplier regarding eligibility to continue to participate as a supplier. 
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

542 Suppliers shall assure that the delivered product complies with the provisions of the 

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

approved by the SSD. 

550 The cost of all audits, product monitoring, and certification services performed by the 

AMS agents shall be borne by the supplier. This includes, but is not limited to, audits, 

examinations, supervision, official documentation, and related services.

560 Questions concerning charges and the availability of AMS agents can be directed to

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. 

600 Domestic Origin Certification Clause

610 The supplier shall include the domestic origin certification clause in its entirety in all 

subcontracts for frozen Alaska Pollock or Alaska Pollock products used in fulfilling any 

contracts awarded under this Supplement and Master Solicitation. The burden of proof 

of compliance is on the Contractor. All raw materials shall be shipped in containers 

labeled as “Domestic Only Product” on the principal display panel and the bill of lading 

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

700 Certificate of Conformance (COC)

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

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

800 Contractor Checkloading

810 For Alaska Pollock products, the contractor shall 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:

810.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line-Item Number;

810.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line-Item Number;

810.3 Destination of shipment;

810.4 Name of Product and applicable Material Number;

810.5 Shipping Date;
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

810.6 Information for traceability that includes the production lot number(s) and the 

corresponding production date for each lot. Additionally, the shipping container and 

primary package code(s) must be provided, along with the code that facilitates 

traceability back to the establishment number, production lot, and date;

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

810.7.1 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight per delivery unit;

810.8 Identity of car or transportation trailer numbers, letters, license, etc., including all 

serially numbered door seal(s), as applicable;

810.9 Contractor certification that product conforms with the applicable specification (FPPS); 

810.10 Count of shipping containers and projected net weight per delivery unit verified; and

810.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

900 Exhibits
APPROVED

Federal Purchase Program

Specification (FPPS) for

Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock

Blocks

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: FPPS APB dated July 2021 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: April 2024

Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 04/02/24

100 Item Description

110 Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks

120 U.S. Grade A

120.1 The frozen fillet blocks shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A as defined 

in the U.S. Grade Standard for Frozen Fish Fillet Blocks.

130 Alaska Pollock Fish blocks shall weigh approximately 16-1⁄2 pounds and shall

be packed three (3) blocks to a master carton with a net weight of 49-1⁄2 

pounds.

200 Checklist of Requirements

210 All Alaska Pollock fillet block manufacturing facilities used in fulfilling USDA 

contracts shall be a United States Department of Commerce (USDC) NOAA 

Seafood Inspection Approved Establishment. For information regarding 

Seafood Inspection, see the following web site address: 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafoodinspection

300 Materials

301 Contractors’ technical proposal shall describe in detail the necessary

 processing steps to comply with the requirements below.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 04/02/24 2

310 Fish Flesh

311 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh – The Alaska Pollock fillet blocks (Gadus

chalcogrammus) shall be derived from fillets that are caught and processed in 

U.S. waters on a U.S. flagged vessel or caught in U.S. waters and processed in 

a facility based in the U.S. or U.S. Territory. 

312 U.S. Grade A - United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Fish Fillet Blocks. 

Standards for Grades shall be graded in accordance with National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood Inspection Manual, Part 5, 

Chapter 1, U.S. Grade Standard for Frozen Fish Fillet Blocks.

313 The U.S. Standards for Grades shall apply to once-frozen fish blocks that are 

rectangular shaped masses made from Alaska Pollock flesh.

314 The blocks shall be made from whole fillets that are skinless and boneless (pin 

bone out).

315 The blocks shall not contain minced or comminuted fish flesh. The blocks shall 

not be made by restructuring (reworking) pieces of fish blocks into the shape of 

a fish block.

316 The blocks shall not contain sodium phosphates.

317 The blocks shall never be allowed to thaw and shall have been stored at 

temperatures of 0°F or less for no more than 12 months.

318 The blocks shall be practically free of voids and ice pockets.

320 Metal Detection

321 All product shall be free of metal contaminates. Detection of stainless steel, 

ferrous, and non-ferrous (e.g., lead, copper, and aluminum) metals is required. 

The equipment, location, detection procedure, sensitivity levels, frequency of 

equipment validation, and corrective action procedures shall be identified and 

described.

400 Preparation for Delivery

410 Packaging and Packing

411 Packaging – Fresh (never previously frozen) Alaska Pollock whole fillets shall 

be layered into a block mold and deep frozen to produce fish blocks that are 

used as the raw material for further processing into high quality breaded and 

battered fish products. The once-frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks shall be 

wrapped or sealed to protect blocks from freezer deterioration, physical

damage, and contamination. 
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 04/02/24 3 

412 Alaska Pollock Fish blocks shall weigh approximately 16-1⁄2 pounds and shall

be packed three to a master carton with a net weight of 49-1⁄2 pounds. 

413 The once-frozen blocks shall be protected by a paperboard block liner and then 

packed in a cardboard master case, which reduces the likelihood of freezer 

burn or rancidity. The packaging should be uniform and completely cover the 

product. 

414 Shipping container labeling shall declare a net weight, meaning actual product 

weight.

415 Style and Size of Container – Only one size and style of bags and cases may 

be offered in an individual shipping unit. The shipping containers shall be in 

compliance with the National Motor Freight Classification, or the Uniform 

Freight Classification, as applicable.

416 Labeling

416.1 Foods entering commerce must meet all applicable labeling laws and 

regulations. To meet the requirements of this USDA AMS Federal Purchase 

Program Specification, Shipping container labels shall be illustrated in the 

contractor’s technical proposal and contain the following information:

416.1 USDA Shield – The shield shall be at least 2 inches high and shall appear on 

top or on the principal display panel of each case.

416.2 The applicable purchase order number.

416.3 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

416.4 NOAA SIP Official Insignia - Finished products must meet eligibility 

requirements for use of the Grade A Shield. Finished product shipping

container labels must bear the Grade A Shield and PUFI mark.

416.5 Material Number – 110601. 

416.6 Product Name – Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 04/02/24 4 

420 Palletized Unit Loads

421 All product shall be stacked on new or well-maintained pallets and palletized 

with shrink wrap plastic, unless otherwise specified in the invitation. Pallet loads 

shall be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the shipping 

containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping container’s

principal display panel to facilitate certification examinations.

500 Product Assurance

510 All Alaska Pollock fillet block processors and processing facilities used to fulfill 

USDA contracts shall be a USDC/NOAA Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) 

Approved Establishment. 

520 Delivered Product

521 Delivery Unit - Each delivery unit shall consist of 800 shipping containers with a 

net weight of 39,600 pounds. No tolerances shall be allowed.

522 Sealing – All products shall be delivered to AMS assigned destinations, 

including multi-stop deliveries, under seal(s) with tamper proof, tamper 

resistant, serially numbered seals as required under the current AMS MSCP-D.

523 Alaska Pollock Blocks shall be stored, shipped, and delivered at temperatures 

that do not exceed 0°F.

530 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

531 Warranty – The contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with all 

specification requirements, production plan declarations, and provisions set 

forth in the Master Solicitation and Supplement. 

532 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be 

included in the production plan. These procedures shall include: a point of 

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

replacement or monetary compensation. The procedures shall be used to 

resolve product complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.

600 Non-Conforming Product

610 The contractor shall include a plan and supporting documentation to assure 

that non-conforming product is not delivered under USDA contracts. The plan 

shall address 1) control and segregation of non-conforming product, 2) removal 

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

vendor documentation of final disposition (e.g., diverted to commercial 

production, cooked or destroyed).
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 04/02/24 5 

700 Contractor Checkloading

701 Contractor shall 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:

701.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line-Item Number;

701.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line-Item Number;

701.3 Destination of shipment;

701.4 Name of Product and applicable Material Number;

701.5 Shipping Date;

701.6 Information for traceability that includes the production lot number(s) and the 

corresponding production date for each lot. Additionally, the shipping container 

and primary package code(s) must be provided, along with the code that 

facilitates traceability back to the establishment number, production lot, and 

date; 

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

lot;

701.7.1 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight per delivery unit;

701.8 Identity of car or transportation trailer numbers, letters, license, etc., including 

all serially numbered door seals, as applicable;

701.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Once-Frozen Alaska 

Pollock Blocks”; (FPPS-APB-2024)

701.10 Count and projected net weight verified; and

701.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.
APPROVED

Federal Purchase Program

Specification (FPPS) for

Alaska Pollock Fillet

Portions, Unbreaded, Raw, 

Frozen

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: FPPS APFP dated August 2021 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: April 2024

Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24

100 Item Description

110 Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions, Boneless, Skinless, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen

110.1 U.S. Grade A

110.1.1 The Frozen Pollock Fillet Portions, Unbreaded, Raw, shall meet the 

requirements of U.S. Grade A as defined in the U.S Standard for Grades of 

Fish Fillets.

110.1.2 The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be prepared from once-frozen, 

skinless, boneless, additive-free, pin bone-out, Alaska Pollock whole fillet 

blocks. 

120 Portion Weight – The target portion weight for Alaska Pollock fillet portions

shall be 4.0 ounces.

130 Packing1/ – The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be packaged in four (4) 10-

pound, five (5) 8-pound, eight (8) 5-pound bulk immediate containers 

(packages) or twenty (20) 2-pound immediate containers (packages) and 

placed into shipping containers weighing 40 pounds.

140 Delivery Unit – Each delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with 

a net weight of 38,000 pounds.

1/The contracting officer shall designate the packaging orientation permitted for each solicitation.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 2 

200 Checklist of Requirements

201 All Alaska Pollock fillet block manufacturing facilities used in fulfilling USDA 

contracts shall be a United States Department of Commerce (USDC) NOAA 

Seafood Inspection Approved Establishment. For information regarding 

Seafood Inspection, see the following web site address: 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafoodinspection

202 Product shall be produced under the Food and Drug Administration 

regulations and all applicable federal Acts and regulatory references cited 

therein that are in effect on the date of production and the AMS checklist of 

requirements.

210 Materials

210.1 Contractors’ technical proposal shall describe in detail the necessary 

processing steps to comply with the requirements below.

211 Fish Flesh

211.1 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh – The Alaska Pollock fillet portions (Gadus 

chalcogrammus) shall be derived from fish that are caught and processed in 

U.S. waters on a U.S. flagged vessel or caught in U.S. waters and processed 

in a facility based in the U.S. or U.S. Territory.

211.2 The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be prepared from once-frozen, 

skinless, boneless, additive-free, pin bone-out, Alaska Pollock whole fillet 

blocks which have been stored at 0°F or less for no more than twelve months.

Raw material blocks must be clearly identified with the Processed Under 

Federal Inspection (PUFI) mark and meet all eligibility product requirements

under USDC Inspection.

211.3 Fillet portions – shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A as defined in the 

U.S Standard for Grades and shall be graded in accordance with National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood Inspection 

Manual, Part 5, Chapter 1, U.S. Grade Standard for Fish Fillets. The end item 

shall consist of practically boneless, skinless Alaska Pollock fillet portions, pin

bone-out. 

212 Finished Product Requirements 

212.1 Portion Weight – During production, target portion weight for Alaska Pollock

fillets shall be 4.0 ounces. Quality assurance plans shall apply upper and 

lower specification limits of 4.1 and 3.9 ounces, respectively.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 3 

212.1.1 Compliance will be determined by the contractor. The contractors’ technical 

proposal shall describe the quality assurance steps taken to ensure this 

requirement is met.

212.2 Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) – The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be 

IQF, so the individual fillets do not stick together. 

212.3 Glaze – The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be glazed with a layer of 

potable water. Glaze is added by dipping or spraying the frozen fillets with 

potable water.

212.3.1 The maximum amount of glaze permitted is equal to 5% of the portion weight. 

The glaze weight shall not be included in the net weight of the product.

212.4 Portion Shape – The Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall have uniform 

thickness throughout with parallel sides. Serpentine cut or other cut with nonparallel sides are permissible.

213 Preparation / Cooking Methods

213.1 Handling, preparation and cooking instructions for the end user shall be 

declared and appear on individual bags (immediate container).

214 Metal Detection

214.1 Detection of stainless steel, ferrous, and non-ferrous (e.g., lead, copper, and 

aluminum) metals is required. The equipment, location, detection procedure, 

sensitivity levels, frequency of equipment validation, and corrective action 

procedures shall be identified and described.

215 State of Refrigeration

215.1 Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be frozen to 00F within 4 hours after 

completion of the involved lot. 

215.2 Alaska Pollock fillet portions shall be stored, shipped, and delivered at 

temperatures that do not exceed 0°F. 

220 Preparation for Delivery

221 Packaging and Packing

221.1 Packaging – The primary packages shall be closed by heat seal. All primary 

packages shall function as a tamper evidence indicator to provide added 

assurance of product integrity through the method of sealing or closure.

Primary packages may be commercially marked and may be resealable. A 

retail-style design with multiple colors, as well as a product photograph is 

permissible. 
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 4

221.2 Packing1/ – Four (4) 10-pound, five (5) 8-pound, eight (8) 5-pound bulk 

immediate containers (packages) or twenty (20) 2-pound immediate 

containers (packages) shall be packed in a 40-pound (net weight) shipping 

container.

221.3 Shipping Container - The shipping containers (cases) shall be in compliance 

with the National Motor Freight Classification or Uniform Freight 

Classification.

221.4 Style and Size of Container – Only one size and style of primary package and 

shipping container shall be offered in an individual shipping unit.

222 Labeling

222.1 Foods entering commerce must meet all applicable labeling laws and 

regulations. To meet the requirements of this USDA AMS Federal Purchase 

Program Specification, primary and shipping container labels shall be 

illustrated in the contractor’s technical proposal and contain the following 

information:

222.2 Primary package – The following information shall be on each bag:

222.2.1 Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions.

222.2.2 Manufacturer name and address.

222.2.3 Ingredient declaration.

222.2.4 The allergen statement shall be provided in the format which complies with 

the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the 

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act 

which define milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, 

and soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains 

protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined 

oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains: _________.

222.2.5 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

222.2.6 Nutrition facts based on actual nutritional analysis of the product.

222.2.7 Cooking Instructions.

222.2.8 Safe handling instructions.

1/The contracting officer shall designate the packaging orientation permitted for each solicitation.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 5 

222.2.9 2-pound packages – Labels may be contractor’s own retail (i.e., commercially 

available, off-the- shelf) label. Products offered in consumer and individual 

serving sizes shall include one color other than black and white (exclusive of 

package color). Distributor’s labels shall not be used.

222.2.10 NOAA SIP Official Insignia - Finished products must meet eligibility 

requirements for use of the Grade A Shield and Processed Under Federal 

Inspection (PUFI) mark. Finished product primary packaging must bear the

Grade A Shield and PUFI mark.

222.3 Shipping Container –The following information shall be on each case:

222.3.1 USDA Shield – The shield shall be at least 2 inches high and appear on top 

or on the principal display panel of each case.

222.3.2 The applicable purchase order number.

222.3.3 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

222.3.4 Nutrition facts based on actual nutritional analysis of the product (optional). 

222.3.5 Cooking Instructions (optional).

222.3.6 Material Number – 110345 – for the twenty (20) 2-pound immediate 

containers (packages) configuration.

222.3.7 Product name – Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen. 

222.3.8 The allergen statement shall be provided in the format which complies with 

the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the 

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act 

which define milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, 

and soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains 

protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined 

oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains: _________.

222.3.9 NOAA SIP Official Insignia - Finished products must meet eligibility 

requirements for use of the Grade A Shield and Processed Under Federal 

Inspection (PUFI) mark. Finished product shipping container labels must bear

the Grade A Shield and PUFI mark.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 6 

223 Palletized Unit Loads

223.1 All product shall be stacked on new or well-maintained pallets and palletized 

with shrink wrap plastic, unless otherwise specified in the invitation. Pallet 

loads shall be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the 

shipping containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping 

container’s principal display panel to facilitate certification examinations.

230 Product Assurance

231 Quality Assurance

231.1 All processors and processing facilities used to fulfill USDA contracts shall be 

a USDC/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood 

Inspection Program (SIP) Approved Establishment. 

231.6 Verification of Alaska Pollock Block Requirements – Contractors shall provide

documentation (e.g., a Letter of Conformance, etc.) from their Alaska Pollock

block suppliers for all block raw materials used to produce finished products. 

The documentation shall include the name and location of the block supplier; 

verification that the block production facility is an approved USDC NOAA 

Approved Establishment; are additive-free Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks, 

which have been stored at 0°F or less for no more than twelve months and 

that the blocks meet the domestic origin requirements as defined in the 

Master Solicitation. Raw material blocks must be clearly identified with the

Processed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI) mark. The documentation shall 

provide sufficient information to enable traceability that demonstrates

compliance with the above requirements. Routine audits conducted by the QA 

Division will verify adherence to the raw material requirements.

232 Delivered Product

232.1 Delivery Unit - Each delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with 

a net weight of 38,000 pounds.

232.2 Sealing – All products shall be delivered to AMS assigned destinations, 

including multi-stop deliveries, under seal(s) with tamper proof, tamper 

resistant, serially numbered seals as required under the current AMS MSCPD. 

233 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

233.1 Warranty – The contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with all 

contractual requirements.

233.2 Complaint Resolution – The contractor’s technical proposal shall provide the

steps taken to resolve complaints received on the product, i.e., point of 

contact, cause and effect analysis, product replacement, monetary 

compensation and corrective and preventative actions taken.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 05/25/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 7 

240 Non-Conforming Product

241.1 The contractor shall include a plan and supporting documentation to assure 

that non-conforming product is not delivered under USDA contracts. The plan

shall address 1) control and segregation of non-conforming product, 2) 

removal of any USDA markings, and 3) disposition of non-conforming 

product, including vendor documentation of final disposition (e.g., diverted to

commercial production, cooked or destroyed).

250 Contractor Checkloading

251 Contractor shall 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: 

251.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line-Item Number;

251.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line-Item Number;

251.3 Destination of shipment; 

251.4 Name of Product and applicable Material Number;

251.5 Shipping Date;

251.6 Information for traceability that includes the production lot number(s) and the 

corresponding production date for each lot. Additionally, the shipping 

container and primary package code(s) must be provided, along with the code 

that facilitates traceability back to the establishment number, production lot, 

and date;

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

lot;

251.7.1 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight per delivery unit;

251.8 Identity of car or transportation trailer numbers, letters, license, etc., including 

all serially numbered door seal(s), as applicable;

251.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Alaska Pollock Fillet 

Portions, Unbreaded, Raw Frozen” (FPPS-APF-2024);

251.10 Count and projected net weight verified; and

251.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.
APPROVED

Federal Purchase Program

Specification (FPPS) for

Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready

(Breaded) Fish Sticks and

Nuggets, Frozen

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: FPPS APFS dated August 2021 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: April 2024

Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24

100 Scope

101 This Specification in conjunction with Commercial Item Description (CID) for 

Fish Nuggets, Portions, Sticks, Strips, Bite-Sized Pieces, Oven-Ready, 

Breaded and/or Battered, Frozen A-A-20325 dated March 12, 2001, is for use 

by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the procurement of 

Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks and Nuggets, Frozen. 

200 Applicable Documents

201 The following documents and all references cited therein shall be 

incorporated as part of this USDA, FPPS:

201.1 Commercial Item Description (CID) A-A-20325, March 12, 2001. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Fish%20Nuggets

%2C%20Portions%2C%20Sticks%2C%20Strips%2C%20Bitesize%20Pieces%2C%20OvenReady%2C%20Breaded%20and%20or%20Battered%2C%20Frozen.pdf

201.2 Applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act contained 

in 21 CFR Parts 1-199.

201.3 U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks.

300 Item Description

301 Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks and Nuggets, Frozen

(Fish Sticks and Nuggets). 

302 U.S. Grade A. 

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 2 

302.1 Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall meet the requirements of U.S Grade A as 

defined in the U.S. Grade Standard for Frozen Fried Fish Sticks.

302.2 Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall be prepared from once-frozen skinless, 

boneless, additive-free, pin bone-out, Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks.

303 The purchaser shall specify the type (stick or nugget) and primary container 

size configuration in each solicitation. 

304 Delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with a net weight of 

38,000 pounds.

400 Checklist of Requirements

401 All Alaska Pollock fillet block manufacturing facilities used in fulfilling USDA 

contracts shall be a United States Department of Commerce (USDC) NOAA 

Seafood Inspection (SIP) Approved Establishment. All Fish Sticks and

Nuggets shall be processed in a USDC NOAA Seafood Inspection Program 

(SIP) Approved Establishment. For information regarding Seafood Inspection, 

see the following web site address: 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafoodinspection

410 Materials

411 Contractors’ technical proposal shall describe in detail the necessary 

processing steps to comply with the requirements below: 

420 Fish Flesh / Product Requirements

421 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh – The Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) 

shall be derived from fish caught and processed in U.S. waters on a U.S. 

flagged vessel or caught in U.S. waters and processed in a facility based in 

the U.S. or U.S. Territory.

422 The contractor shall comply with all provisions of the Domestic Origin clause 

as defined in the Master Solicitation and the applicable Supplement.

423 The Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall be prepared from once-frozen, boneless, 

additive-free Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks, which have been stored at 0°F 

or less for no more than twelve months. 

Raw material blocks must be clearly identified with the Processed Under 

Federal Inspection (PUFI) mark and meet all eligibility product requirements 

under USDC Inspection. Material Number 110850 and 111280 shall be

prepared from skinless blocks and Material Number 110851 shall be prepared 

from deep-skinned blocks as described in this section.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 3

424 Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall meet the Classification (Section 3) and Salient

Characteristics (Section 5) requirements of the CID as specified below.

425 Product Classification and Characteristics.

425.1 Fish species I – Alaska Pollock.

425.2 Style A – Fillet block.

425.2.1 Form a – Single frozen (frozen once before processing).

425.2.2 Skinless for Material Number 110850 and 111280 and deep-skinned for 

 Material Number 110851. 

425.3 Type 3 – Stick (at least three-eighths (3⁄8) of an inch thick; and their largest 

dimension is at least three times the next largest dimension).

425.3.1 Oven-ready weight a – 28.35 g (1.00 oz.).

425.4 Type 1 – Nugget (at least three-eighths (3⁄8) of an inch thick).

425.4.1 Oven-ready weight b – 28.35 g (1.00 oz).

425.4.2 Shape - Nugget

425.5 Fried fish type b – Fried.

425.5.1 Composition (a) – Meets the requirements of U.S. Grade A. 

425.5.2 Frozen fried fish sticks and nuggets shall contain 60 percent by weight of fish 

 flesh determined by the official end-product method as set forth in Definitions

 (f) of the Grade Standard. Fish flesh content may be determined by the on- 

 line method as set forth in Definitions (g) of the Grade Standard: Provided, 

 that the results are consistent with the fish flesh content requirement of 60 

 percent by weight, when verified by the official end-product method.

425.6 Coating (2) – Crispy style Breading.

425.6.1 The Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall be battered in wheat flour and breaded in 

 a wheat flour-based breading normally used for commercial markets. 

 Additional ingredients that include spices, seasonings, salt, etc. may be used 

 as needed to produce the desired flavor, color, texture, and crispness.

425.6.2 The batter/breading shall be made with whole grain flour or whole grain- 

 rich flour using one of the following options:

425.6.3 For Material Number 110851 (CN Labeled bulk packaged sticks).

425.6.3.1 Option 1: 100% whole grain, or
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 4 

425.6.3.2 Option 2: whole grain-rich – shall contain at least 50% whole grains and the 

 remaining grains in the product shall be enriched.

425.6.4 For Material Numbers 110850 and 111280 (2-pound packaged sticks and 

 nuggets).

425.6.4.1 Product shall contain at least 50% whole grains. 

425.6.5 Monosodium glutamate is not allowed.

425.6.6 Significant ingredients (more than 1 percent) shall be derived from U.S. 

produced products.

425.7 Child Nutrition (CN) labeling (for Material Number 110851 only). The CN label 

information (and evidence of approval for use) shall be submitted as part of 

the supplier’s technical proposal. A four (4.0) ounce serving must credit as at 

least two Meat/Meat Alternates and one-ounce equivalent grains.

425.7.1 The CN Labeling Program is run by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

directly with commercial food processing firms and in cooperation with AMS, 

FSIS and other Federal agencies. The Program requires an evaluation of a 

product's formulation by FNS to determine its contribution toward Meal 

Patterns Requirements (MPR) for meals served under USDA’s Child Nutrition 

Programs. To carry a CN label, the eligible product’s formulation must be 

evaluated by USDA to verify its contribution toward meal pattern requirements 

using yields in the USDA Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.

For information on the CN Labeling Program, see the section for Food 

Manufacturers/Industry on the FNS website 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnlabeling/child-nutrition-cn-labeling-program and 

contact the following:

Child Nutrition Labeling Program Operations Office

USDA, AMS, FV, PPB Stop 0247, Room 0710-S 

1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250

Email: CNLabeling@ams.usda.gov

Phone Number: 202-720-9939

Fax Number: 202-690-3824

430 Finished Product Requirements

431 For Material Number 110851 (CN Labeled bulk packaged sticks).

431.1 Sodium – Maximum sodium content shall be 280 mg or less per 100 grams or 

320 mg or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks).

431.2 Fat – Maximum fat content shall be 7 grams or less per 100 grams or 9 grams 

or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks).
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 5

432 For Material Numbers 110850 and 111280 (2-pound packaged sticks and 

 nuggets).

432.1 Sodium – Maximum sodium content shall be 320 mg or less per 100 grams or 

370 mg or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks and nuggets).

432.2 Fat – Maximum fat content shall be 9 grams or less per 100 grams or 11

grams or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks and nuggets).

433 Trans fat – 0 grams per 100 grams.

434 U.S. Grade A - United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish 

Sticks. Standards for Grades shall be graded in accordance with National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood Inspection 

Manual, Part 5, Chapter 1, U.S. Grade Standard for Frozen Fried Fish Sticks.

440 Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)

441 The Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall be IQF, so the individual sticks and 

nuggets do not stick together after they are packaged and packed. The 

product temperature at the time of shipment and delivery shall not exceed 

0°F. Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall meet the Storage requirements (section 

5.2.8) of the CID. 

450 Metal Detection

451 All product shall be free of metal contaminants. Detection of stainless steel, 

ferrous, and non-ferrous (e.g., lead, copper, and aluminum) metals is 

required. The contractor's technical proposal shall identify and describe the 

equipment, location, detection procedure, sensitivity levels, frequency of 

equipment validation, and corrective action procedures.

460 Preparation / Cooking Methods

461 The Fish Sticks and Nuggets shall be prepared (par-fried) so that the enduser may bake them in an Air-fryer, conventional or convection type oven. 

Baking instructions shall be declared and appear on the primary package.

470 Preparation for Delivery

471 Packaging and Packing
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 6

472.1 Packaging – The primary packages shall be closed by heat seal. All primary 

packages shall function as a tamper evidence indicator to provide added 

assurance of product integrity through the method of sealing or closure.

Immediate containers may be commercially marked and may be resealable. A 

retail-style design with multiple colors, as well as a product photograph is 

permissible. Note: frozen fish and fishery products presented in reduced 

oxygen packaging shall bear a safe handling statement per 21 CFR Part 123, 

or equally effective alternative.

472.1.1 The Fish Sticks shall be packaged in eight 5-pound or four 10-pound primary 

containers for Material Number 110851 or twenty 2-pound primary containers 

for Material Number 110850 and Fish Nuggets Material Number 111280.

1/

473 Shipping Container - The shipping containers (cases) shall comply with the 

National Motor Freight Classification or Uniform Freight Classification.

474 Net Weight – Primary containers shall be packed into new 40-pound net 

weight shipping containers of a size to accommodate the product without 

slack filling or overfilling.

475 Style and Size of Container – Only one size and style of primary and shipping 

container shall be used in an individual shipping unit.

480 Labeling

481 Foods entering into commerce must meet all applicable labeling laws and 

regulations. To meet the requirements of this USDA AMS Federal Purchase 

Program Specification, primary and shipping container labels shall be 

illustrated in the contractor’s technical proposal and contain the following 

information:

482 Primary package – The following information shall be on each bag:

482.1 Product name.

482.2 Manufacturer name and address.

482.3 Ingredient declaration.

482.4 The allergen statement shall be provided in the format which complies with 

the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the 

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act 

which define milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, 

and soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains 

protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined 

oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains: _________.

1/The contracting officer shall designate the type (stick or nugget) and packaging orientation permitted for 

each solicitation.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 7

482.5 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

482.6 Nutrition facts based on actual nutritional analysis of the product.

482.7 Baking Instructions.

482.8 Safe handling instructions.

482.9 2-pound packages – Labels may be contractor’s own retail (i.e., commercially 

available, off-the- shelf) label. Products offered in consumer and individual 

serving sizes shall include one color other than black and white (exclusive of 

package color). Distributor’s labels shall not be used.

482.10 NOAA SIP Official Insignia - Finished products must meet eligibility

requirements for use of the Grade A Shield and Processed Under Federal 

Inspection (PUFI) mark. Finished product primary packaging must bear the 

Grade A Shield and PUFI mark.

483 Shipping Container –The following information shall be on each case:

483.1 USDA Shield – The shield shall be at least 2 inches high and appear on top 

or on the principal display panel of each case or on a label affixed to the 

shipping container.

 483.2 The applicable purchase order number.

483.3 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

483.4 Nutrition facts based on actual nutritional analysis of the product (optional).

483.5 Baking Instructions (optional).

483.6 NOAA SIP Official Insignia - Finished products must meet eligibility 

requirements for use of the Grade A Shield and Processed Under Federal 

Inspection (PUFI) mark. Finished product shipping container labels must bear 

the Grade A Shield and PUFI mark.

483.7 Material Number – 110851 for the bulk packed 5-pound and 10-pound 

primary containers, 110850 and 111280 for the 2-pound primary container 

packaging configuration.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 8

483.8 Product name – Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen.

Material numbers 110850 and 110851.

483.9 Product name – Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Nuggets, 

Frozen. Material number 111280.

483.10 The allergen statement shall be provided in the format which complies with 

the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the 

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act 

which define milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, 

and soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains 

protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined 

oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains: _________.

483.11 Ingredient declaration.

483.12 The CN label information for Material Number 110851.

500 Palletized Unit Loads

501 All product shall be stacked on new or well-maintained pallets and palletized 

with shrink wrap plastic, unless otherwise specified in the solicitation. Pallet 

loads shall be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the 

shipping containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping

container’s principal display panel to facilitate certification examinations.

600 Delivered Product

601 Delivery Unit – Each delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with 

a net weight of 38,000 pounds.

602 Sealing – All products shall be delivered to AMS assigned destinations, 

including multi-stop deliveries, under seal(s) with tamper proof, tamper 

resistant, serially numbered seals as required under the current AMS MSCPD. 

700 Quality Assurance

701 All Alaska Pollock fillet block processors and fish stick and nugget processing 

facilities used to fulfill USDA contracts shall be a United States Department of 

Commerce (USDC)/NOAA Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) Approved

Establishment.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 9

701.1 Verification of Alaska Pollock Block Requirements – Contractors shall provide

documentation (e.g., a Letter of Conformance, etc.) from their Alaska Pollock 

block suppliers for all block raw materials used to produce finished products. 

The documentation shall include the name and location of the block supplier; 

verification that the block production facility is an approved USDC NOAA 

Approved Establishment; are additive-free Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks, 

which have been stored at 0°F or less for no more than twelve months and 

that the blocks meet the domestic origin requirements as defined in the 

Master Solicitation. The shipping cases of raw material blocks must be clearly 

identified with the Processed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI) mark. The 

documentation shall provide sufficient information to enable traceability that 

demonstrates compliance with the above requirements. Routine audits 

conducted by the QA Division will verify adherence to the raw material 

requirements.

800 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

801 Warranty – The contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with all 

specification requirements and provisions set forth in the program

Supplement.

802 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be 

developed by the contractor. These procedures shall include: a point of 

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

replacement or monetary compensation. The procedures shall be used to 

resolve product complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.

850 Non-Conforming Product

851 The contractor shall include a plan and supporting documentation to assure 

that non-conforming product is not delivered under USDA contracts. The plan

shall address 1) control and segregation of non-conforming product, 2) 

removal of any USDA markings, and 3) disposition of non-conforming 

product, including vendor documentation of final disposition (e.g., diverted to

commercial production, cooked or destroyed).

900 Contractor Checkloading

901 Contractor shall perform checkloading examinations at the time of shipment 

and issue a contractor’s certificate to accompany each shipment that includes 

all the following information:

901.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line-Item Number;

901.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line-Item Number;

901.3 Destination of shipment;
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 04/02/24 10

901.4 Name of product and applicable material number;

901.5 Shipping Date;

901.6 Information for traceability that includes the production lot number(s) and the 

corresponding production date for each lot. Additionally, the shipping 

container and immediate container code(s) must be provided, along with the 

code that facilitates traceability back to the establishment number, production 

lot, and date;

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

lot;

901.7.1 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight per delivery unit;

901.8 Identity of car or transportation trailer numbers, letters, license, etc., including 

all serially numbered door seal(s), as applicable;

901.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Alaska Pollock, Oven 

Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks or Nuggets, Frozen” (FPPS-APSN-2024)

901.10 Count and projected net weights certified; and

901.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

Supplement 509 to AMS Master Solicitation Exhibit B

Cover Page:

Company Name

Company Address

Contact Person, including title, phone number, including emergency contact information, e-mail 

address (shall be authorized to represent the company).

Technical Proposal for: Supplement 509 and FPPS Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks.

Table of Contents (all pages and attachments shall 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 Checklist of Requirements

300 Materials

310 Fish Flesh

320 Metal Detection

400 Preparation for Delivery

410 Packaging and Packing

420 Palletized Unit Loads

500 Product Assurance

520 Delivered Product

530 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

600 Non-Conforming Product

700 Contractor Checkloading

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

document name and reference number.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

Supplement 509 to AMS Master Solicitation Exhibit B1

Cover Page:

Company Name

Company Address

Contact Person, including title, phone number, including emergency contact information, e-mail 

address (shall be authorized to represent the company).

Technical Proposal for: Supplement 509 and FPPS Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions, Unbreaded.

Table of Contents (all pages and attachments shall 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 Checklist of Requirements

210 Materials

211 Fish Flesh

212 Finished Products Requirements

213 Preparation / Cooking Methods

214 Metal Detection

215 State of Refrigeration

220 Preparation for Delivery

221 Packaging and Packing

222 Labeling

223 Palletized Unit Load

230 Product Assurance

231 Quality Assurance
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

232 Delivered Product

233 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

240 Non-Conforming Product

250 Contractor Checkloading

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

document name and reference number.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

 Supplement 509 to AMS Master Solicitation Exhibit B2

Cover Page:

Company Name

Company Address

Contact Person, including title, phone number, including emergency contact information, e-mail 

address (shall be authorized to represent the company).

Technical Proposal for: Supplement 509 and FPPS Alaska Pollock Oven Ready Fish Sticks and

Nuggets.

Table of Contents (all pages and attachments shall 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 Scope

200 Applicable Documents

300 Item Description

400 Checklist of Requirements

410 Materials

420 Fish Flesh / Product Requirements

430 Finished Products Requirements

440 Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)

450 Metal Detection

460 Preparation / Cooking Methods

470 Preparation for Delivery

480 Labeling

500 Palletized Unit Load

600 Delivered Product
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

700 Quality Assurance

800 Warranty and Complaint Resolution

850 Non-Conforming Product

900 Contractor Checkloading

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

document name and reference number.
Approved by DRD

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 04/02/24

 Supplement 509 to AMS Master Solicitation Exhibit C

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Livestock and Poultry Program

Certificate of Conformance for

the Procurement of Frozen Alaska Pollock Products

Certificate of Conformance

I certify the following: 

(1) On [delivery date(s)], [Supplier’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 [Supplier’s name] Technical 

Proposal as approved by the AMS, LP Program, Standards and Specifications Division. 

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

attached acceptance document.

(4) Supplier assures all Pollock 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: