Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

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

Supersedes: Supplement 509 April 2016 – Changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: January 2017

 

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 and A1).

200 RESPONSIBILITY / ELIGIBILITY

201 All Alaska Pollock fillet block processors and fish stick processing facilities used to fulfill 

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

Seafood Inspection (SI) Approved Establishment . NOAA SI Approved Establishments 

must meet all pertinent Federal requirements applicable to processing fish and fishery 

products. NOAA SI Approved Establishments must comply with the following 

regulatory requirements that are applicable to the firm:

201.1 21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

201.2 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, processors of 

fish and fishery products may participate in one of three USDC/NOAA Inspection 

Systems:
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

201.3 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to unannounced 

systems audits on a quarterly frequency interval to substantiate overall compliance with 

all pertinent regulations and to meet quality requirements. Firms operating under the 

USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program will be subjected to product 

verifications performed during every audit to verify that the processing systems are 

capable of delivering finished product quality which meets Grade A.

201.4 USDC/NOAA Integrated Quality Assurance (IQA) Program; 

A reduced inspection service which requires that firms assume greater verification and 

documentation responsibility and NOAA SI performs verification checks of the facility, 

QA system and product quality results.

201.5 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are present 

during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.

300 INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL 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 FSCS Division.

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

331 Technical Proposal Requirement

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

oven ready fish sticks 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)
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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

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 FSCS Division 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 and B1). 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 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.

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 FSCS Division. 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).
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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 FSCS Division 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 FSCS Division 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

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 FSCS Division to determine 

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

FSCS Division 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 FSCS Division 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 FSCS Division for further 

consideration.

523.2 Eligibility shall depend on whether the modifications demonstrate that:
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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 

FSCS Division 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 FSCS Division 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 FSCS Division, 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 FSCS Division, 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 FSCS Division. The Contracting Officer or FSCS 

Division shall notify the supplier regarding eligibility to continue to participate as a 

supplier.

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 FSCS Division.

550 The cost of all audit, 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
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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

all subcontracts for fresh and 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 principle 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 ALASKA POLLOCK BLOCKS CONTRACTOR CHECKLOADING

810 For Alaska Pollock blocks, 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;

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

container and immediate container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date;

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

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

applicable;

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

810.10 Count and projected net weight verified and;

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

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

900 ALASKA POLLOCK OVEN READY FISH STICKS ACCEPTANCE AND 

CERTIFICATION

901 For Alaska Pollock oven ready fish sticks, the USDC Seafood Inspector shall 

certify acceptable product and set forth on a Certificate of Inspection and 

Certificate of Loading to accompany each shipment that includes 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.

901.4 Name of product and applicable material number.

901.5 Shipping Date.

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

container and primary container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date.

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

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

applicable.

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

Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen; count and projected net weights certified.”
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

1000 EXHIBITS
APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR ONCE-FROZEN 

ALASKA POLLOCK BLOCKS

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 APB dated April 2016 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: January 2017

Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 01/09/17

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

110 Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks

120 U.S. Grade A

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 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. 

300 MATERIALS

310 FISH FLESH 

311 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh – The Alaska Pollock (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 implemented in accordance with the 

guidance set forth in part II of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) Handbook 25, "Inspector's Instructions for Grading 

Frozen Fish 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.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 01/09/17 2 

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 0oF 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. 

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.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 01/09/17 3 

416 Labeling - Cases shall be labeled to include all information required by United 

States Department of Commerce (USDC) regulations. 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 principle 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 USDC Inspection Mark and Grade – The Processed Under Federal Inspection 

“PUFI” mark along with the Grade A Shield.

416.5 Material Number – 110601. 

416.6 Product Name – Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks.

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 (SI) Approved 

Establishment. NOAA SI Approved Establishments must meet all pertinent 

Federal requirements applicable to processing fish and fishery products. 

NOAA SI Approved Establishments must comply with the following regulatory 

requirements that are applicable to the firm:

510.1 21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 01/09/17 4 

510.2 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, 

processors of fish and fishery products may participate in one of three 

USDC/NOAA Inspection Systems:

510.3 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to 

unannounced systems audits on a quarterly frequency interval to substantiate 

overall compliance with all pertinent regulations and to meet quality 

requirements. Firms operating under the USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality 

Management Program will be subjected to product verifications performed 

during every audit to verify that the processing systems are capable of 

delivering finished product quality which meets Grade A.

510.4 USDC/NOAA Integrated Quality Assurance (IQA) Program; 

A reduced inspection service which requires that firms assume greater 

verification and documentation responsibility and NOAA SI performs 

verification checks of the facility, QA system and product quality results.

510.5 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are 

present during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.

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 All products shall 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) F1157-04 

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.

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

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 06/18/09

Date Revised: 01/09/17 5 

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).

700 CONTACTOR 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 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced along with shipping 

container and immediate container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date;

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

lot;

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

applicable;

701.9 Contractor certification that product conforms with the applicable specification 

(FPPS-APB-2017); 

701.10 Count and projected net weight verified and;

701.11 Signature of company official responsible for checkloading.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A1
APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR ALASKA 

POLLOCK, OVEN READY 

(BREADED) FISH STICKS, 

FROZEN 

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

Effective: January 2017 

Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A

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, 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. 

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, Frozen (Fish Sticks). 

302 Fish Sticks shall be U.S. Grade A.

303 Purchaser shall specify 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

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 2 

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

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

Approved Establishment (HACCP QMP, IQA or Resident Inspector Plant) 

operating in accordance with all applicable regulations. All Fish Sticks shall 

be processed in a USDC Approved Establishment (HACCP QMP, IQA or

Resident Inspector Plant). 

 

410 MATERIALS

411 Contractors’ technical proposal shall describe in detail the necessary 

processing steps, supported with digital images, to comply with the 

requirements below:

420 FISH FLESH / PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

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 shall be prepared from once-frozen, deep-skinned, boneless, 

additive-free Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks, and shall meet U.S. Grade A 

for workmanship quality attributes and sensory quality (odor and flavor) 

attributes, which have been stored at 0°F or less for no more than twelve 

months.

424 Fish Sticks 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 (deep skinned). 

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

425.3 Type 3 – Stick (at least three-eighths 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 Fried fish type b – Fried. 

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 3 

425.4.1 Composition (a) – Meets the requirements of U.S. Grade A. Fish Sticks shall 

contain at least 64% by weight of fish flesh determined by the AOAC Official 

Method 996.15 and appropriate adjustment factor (60% fish flesh plus 4% 

adjustment factor). Compliance with the 64% fish flesh content in the raw 

formula shall be determined by the ‘on-line method’ as set forth in Definitions 

(g) of the U.S. Grade Standards. 

425.5 Coating (2) – Crispy style Breading.

425.5.1 The Fish Sticks 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.

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

 rich flour using one of the following options: 

425.5.2.1 Option 1: 100% whole grain, or

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

 remaining grains in the product shall be enriched.

 

425.5.3 Monosodium glutamate is not allowed. 

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

produced products. 

425.6 CN labeling 1 – With a CN label for Material Number 110850 only. The bulk 

packaged Fish Sticks shall comply with USDA, Food and Nutrition Service 

(FNS), Child Nutrition Programs, National School Lunch Program. 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 Alternative and one grain-equivalent. 

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

directly with commercial food processing firms and in cooperation with AMS 

and 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:

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 4 

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 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).

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

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

433 Trans fat – 0 grams per 100 grams.

440 INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN (IQF)

441 The Fish Sticks shall be IQF so the individual sticks 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 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 shall be prepared (par-fried) so that the end-user may bake 

them in a conventional or convection type oven. Baking instructions shall be 

declared and appear on the primary container. 

470 FINISHED PRODUCT EVALUATION

471 The finished product shall be evaluated in accordance with the label and 

specifications listed on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) Form 89-819 and the standard listed in inspection manual part V – 

U.S. Grading standards and procedures for grading – (Frozen Fried Fish 

Sticks). 

480 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

481 Packaging and Packing 

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 5 

482.1 Packaging – All primary containers shall function as a tamper evidence 

indicator to provide added assurance of product integrity through the method 

of sealing or closure. 

482.1.1 The Fish Sticks shall be packaged in eight (8) 5-pound or four (4) 10-pound 

primary containers for Material Number 110851 or twenty (20) 2-pound 

primary containers for Material Number 110850.

1/

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

with the National Motor Freight Classification or Uniform Freight 

Classification.

484 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.

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

container may shall offered in an individual shipping unit. 

490 LABELING

491 Processor shall meet all labeling laws. Both primary and shipping containers 

shall be labeled to include all information required by USDC regulations, be 

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

information listed below.

492 Primary Container – The following information shall be on each primary 

container: 

492.1 Product name.

492.2 Manufacturer name and address.

492.3 Ingredient declaration.

492.4 An allergen statement in a format which complies with the Food Allergen 

Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) for any product which 

contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy or 

wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______.

492.5 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

492.6 Nutrition Facts panel. 

492.7 Baking Instructions. 

492.8 Safe handling instructions.

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

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 6 

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

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

or on the principal display panel of each case. 

 493.2 The applicable purchase order number.

493.3 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

493.4 Nutrition Facts panel. 

493.5 Baking Instructions. 

493.6 USDC Inspection and Grade Mark – The Processed Under Federal 

Inspection “PUFI” mark along with the Grade A shield accompanied with 

approved label, product specifications and NOAA Form 89-819 if labels shall

be used for labeling containers.

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

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

configuration. 

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

493.9 An allergen statement in a format which complies with the Food Allergen 

Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) for any product which 

contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy or 

wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______.

493.10 Ingredient declaration.

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 principle 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.

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 7 

602 All products shall 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) 

F1157-04 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.

700 QUALITY ASSURANCE

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

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

Commerce (USDC)/NOAA Seafood Inspection (SI) Approved Establishment . 

NOAA SI Approved Establishments must meet all pertinent Federal 

requirements applicable to processing fish and fishery products. NOAA SI 

Approved Establishments must comply with the following regulatory 

requirements that are applicable to the firm:

701.1 21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

701.2 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, 

processors of fish and fishery products may participate in one of three 

USDC/NOAA Inspection Systems:

701.3 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to 

unannounced systems audits on a quarterly frequency interval to substantiate 

overall compliance with all pertinent regulations and to meet quality 

requirements. Firms operating under the USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality 

Management Program will be subjected to product verifications performed 

during every audit to verify that the processing systems are capable of 

delivering finished product quality which meets Grade A.

701.4 USDC/NOAA Integrated Quality Assurance (IQA) Program; 

A reduced inspection service which requires that firms assume greater 

verification and documentation responsibility and NOAA SI performs 

verification checks of the facility, QA system and product quality results.

701.5 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are 

present during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.

701.6 Provision of Audit and Inspection Results - All Alaska Pollock fillet block 

manufacturing facilities and fish stick processing facilities shall provide a copy 

to USDA of the USDC/NOAA Certificate of Inspection issued by USDC/NOAA 

Seafood Inspection Program which will verify a firm’s compliance with 

regulatory requirements and will verify that the finished product (frozen fish 

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS 

Date Issued: 01/09/17 

Date Revised: N/A 8 

blocks and fish sticks) meets US Grade A requirements as outlined in 

applicable sections of 50 CFR Part 260 – US Standards for Grades of Fish 

and Fishery Products.

702 Acceptance or rejection of a lot shall be determined by the USDC Seafood 

Inspection Program based on the Quality Assurance Provisions (section 8.1, 

and 8.3) of the CID.

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.

900 ACCEPTANCE AND CERTIFICATION

901 The USDC Seafood Inspector shall certify acceptable product and set forth 

on a Certificate of Inspection and Certificate of Loading to accompany each 

shipment that includes 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.

901.4 Name of product and applicable material number.

901.5 Shipping Date.

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

container and primary container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date.

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

production lot. 

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

applicable.

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

Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen; count and projected net weights 

certified.”

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A2
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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

510 QUALITY ASSURANCE

520 DELIVERED PRODUCT

530 WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

600 NON-CONFORMING PRODUCT

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

document name and reference number.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

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 Oven Ready Fish Sticks

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 CHARACTERISTICS

430 FINISHED PRODUCT 

REQUIREMENTS

440 INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN

450 METAL DETECTION

460 PREPARATION / COOKING METHODS

470 FINISHED PRODUCT EVALUATION

480 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

490 LABELING

500 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

600 DELIVERED PRODUCT

700 QUALITY ASSURANCE

800 WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

900 ACCEPTANCE AND CERTIFICATION

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

document name and reference number.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 06/10/11

Date Revised: 01/09/17

SUPPLEMENT 509 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT C

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY AND SEED 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, LPS Program, FSCS Division.

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

attached acceptance document.

(4) Supplier 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: