Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017

__________________________________________________________________________

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

110 Diced Chicken (100101) – Frozen, fully cooked, diced chicken meat, produced from 

ready-to-cook chickens. The dices shall be packaged in eight 5-pound or four 10-

pound packages to a net weight of 40 pounds in each fiberboard shipping container. 

A purchase unit shall consist of 1,000 shipping containers totaling 40,000 pounds.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, AMS, FSCS 

Division FPPS – Diced Chicken – July 2017:

210.1 AMS/LPS/Quality Assessment Division (QAD) Policies and Procedures 

210.2 Poultry Products Inspection Regulations (9 CFR § 381).

210.3 Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry

(AMS 70.200 et seq., 9 CFR § 381.170 to 172).

210.4 AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements and Solicitation.

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

310 Domestic Products – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity 

Procurements.

320 Food Defense – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity 

Procurements.

FEDERAL PURCHASE PROGRAM 

SPECIFICATION (FPPS) FOR 

DICED CHICKEN

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) 

Division

Room 2624 S, Phone: 202-692-0342

Supersedes: Diced Chicken July 2017 – Changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: August 2017
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 2

400 HARVESTING

410 All harvesting activities shall comply with all applicable Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (FSIS) regulations and requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, and shall be 

done under FSIS inspection.

420 Humane Handling – All poultry shall be humanely handled in accordance with FSIS 

Directive 6100.3.

500 PROCESSING

510 All processing activities shall comply with all applicable FSIS regulations and 

requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, and shall be done under FSIS inspection.

520 Performance Standards – Product shall be produced under FSIS pathogen 

reduction standards, as specified in 9 CFR § 381. 

530 The commodity shall not be processed or packaged more than 60 days prior to the 

first day of the delivery period.

540 Class – The commodity shall be prepared from freshly slaughtered ready-to-cook 

hens (mature female chickens), (AMS 70.201 (f)), weighing 4.00 pounds (1.81 kg) 

or more per carcass without neck and giblets, or broilers (AMS 70.201(c)) without 

neck and giblets.

550 Inspection for contract and FPPS compliance shall be in accordance with the 

Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades (AMS 70.200 

et seq.). The AMS Grader shall be responsible for certification of compliance with 

the requirements of this FPPS for chicken; preparation, processing, and freezing of 

the dices; packaged frozen dices; packing; labeling and marking; sampling; 

laboratory results; net weight; and checkloading.

551 AMS Certification – USDA/AMS, LPS Program’s QAD field office or the Director of

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

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-3271. 

552 All steps in the manufacturing process shall be under the direct supervision of an 

AMS Grader and as outlined in QAD Policies and Procedures. Quality and 

compliance with product requirements shall be determined in accordance with those 

policies and procedures. The AMS Grader may also select samples for laboratory 

analyses or inspect the commodity at any point in transit and after delivery to point

of destination.

553 AMS Sampling Option – AMS may select additional commodity for further 

inspection or may draw samples for laboratory analyses.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 3

554 Lot Definition – A lot is the amount of packaged commodity produced during a 

processing shift.

560 Chicken from Other Plants – Chilled chicken may be transferred or obtained from 

other processing plants, provided it: 

560.1 Has been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this FPPS; and 

560.2 Complies with the freshly harvested, organoleptic, temperature, and other 

applicable requirements of this FPPS as evidenced by USDA certification.

561 Type, class, and specific name of the product, part, or meat; date harvested as 

applicable; and the USDA-assigned plant number shall be shown on each shipping 

container.

562 The chilled chicken shall maintain an internal product temperature between 26 °F

(-3.3 °C) and 40 °F (4.4 °C) during transit, from plant origin to destination.

563 Meat Time Requirements – The chilled commodity shall be processed, packaged,

packed, and placed in a freezer within 7 calendar days after the date of harvest. 

570 Preparation of Cooked Meat for Dicing – The commodity shall be prepared from 

pulled (deboned) cooked white and dark meat according to one of the following 

methods: 

570.1 Cooked white and dark meat in natural proportion is removed from the cooked 

whole chicken carcass. 

570.2 Formulated on a weight basis to contain a minimum of 50 percent cooked white 

meat and a maximum of 50 percent cooked dark meat. The method used by the 

contractor shall have established control procedures, processing sequence, product

flow, and methods for handling the pulled cooked white and dark meat to ensure 

that:

570.2.1 the natural percentage of cooked white and dark meat is maintained, 

570.2.2 no white meat is removed for other uses, and 

570.2.3 no dark meat is added from other sources. These procedures and methods shall be 

reviewed and found acceptable by supervisory personnel of QAD before they can 

be used to produce white and dark meat for this FPPS.

571 Added Solution – As an option, the chilled boneless, skinless meat may be tumbled, 

massaged, or injected with added solution of water, processing aids, and 

phosphates before cooking.

571.1 The added solution percentage incorporated shall not exceed 12 percent.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 4

Water and Minimal Ingredients – The solution shall comprise of the following:

Water (maximum) 10.00 percent

Added Processing Aids 1.50 percent

Phosphate (sodium or potassium) (up to) 0.50 percent

571.2 Processing aids (e.g., anti-caking, anti-dusting agents, or other manufacturing aids) 

are allowed. If processing agents are used, the ingredients and amount of 

ingredients listed in the formulation shall remain the same.

571.3 Flavorings (9 CFR § 381.118(c)), soy, and gluten are not allowed.

571.4 Sodium Requirement – The sodium content of the cooked commodity should be no 

more than 150 mg per 100 gram basis as evidenced by laboratory analysis.

572 Unacceptable Meat – No frozen or previously frozen chicken shall be used. Skin, 

wing meat from the third wing portions, neck meat, giblets, and kidneys from 

cooked chicken carcasses shall not be used to prepare the dices. Mechanically 

separated (comminuted), finely ground, flaked, or finely chopped chicken meat shall 

not be used.

573 Organoleptic Requirements – Meat shall be examined on a continuous basis for 

organoleptic requirements shown in Table 1. If the meat does not comply with the 

organoleptic requirements, the meat the samples represent shall be rejected for use 

under this FPPS.

574 Cooked Meat Defects – Examination for Bone. A 5-pound (2.27 kg) sample of 

pulled cooked white and dark meat shall be drawn and examined for the bone 

defects shown in Table 1 prior to dicing. When cooked white and dark meat are 

formulated on a weight basis (minimum 50 percent white meat/maximum 50 percent 

dark meat), 2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) of pulled white meat and 2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) 

of pulled dark meat shall be drawn and examined separately for the bone defects 

shown in Table 1. The frequency of sampling and number of samples examined 

shall be those outlined in QAD Sample Plan Level 3 (SPL-3). 

574.1 Any sample with bone or hard bone-like material shall be counted as a defect under 

SPL-3. 

574.2 If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or result in 

a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects shall be increased to a 

sample drawn twice each sampling interval until the cumulative number of bone 

defects reverts back to the “target” level. 

574.3 If the sample/meat has more defects than the maximum tolerance for the sample 

plan, the meat the sample represents shall be rejected.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 5

580 Dicing – The pulled cooked white and dark meat shall be mechanically diced to 

“0.50-inch (1.27 cm) dices” or “nominal 0.50-inch (1.27 cm) by 0.50-inch (1.27 cm) 

dices.” 

581 Sieve Test – The AMS Grader shall use either an 8-inch (20.32 cm) or 12-inch 

(30.48 cm) diameter sieve to determine dice size requirements. For the 8-inch 

(20.32 cm) sieve, the AMS Grader shall split the 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample in half 

and test each separately. For the 12-inch (30.48 cm) sieve, the AMS Grader shall 

test the entire 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample. 

581.1 Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can be retained on a U.S. 

standard 0.75 inch (1.90 cm) sieve.

581.2 Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can pass through an U.S. 

standard 0.25 inch (0.64 cm) sieve.

581.3 Rejected Product – The contractor may request that the rejected packages of frozen 

dices be re-examined on the basis of a stationary lot. The number of shipping 

containers that shall be examined are outlined in 7 CFR § 70.10. One sample shall 

be examined from each shipping container sampled. The individual results of each 

sample examined with each size of screen 581.1 shall be averaged. When the 

average for both sizes of screens complies with the dice size requirement, the 

stationary lot is acceptable for use under this FPPS.

582 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line freezing system with internal product 

temperatures higher than 10 °F (-12.2 °C) shall be packaged and placed in a 

freezer. The internal product temperature shall be lowered to 10 °F (-12.2 °C) or 

lower within 24 hours from the time the commodity enters the freezer.

582.1 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line freezing system with internal product 

temperatures 10 °F (-12.2 °C) or lower is in compliance with the 24-hour freezing 

requirement.

583 Metal Detection – The commodity shall be examined by a metal detection device 

capable of detecting metallic contaminants including, but not limited to, stainless 

steel shavings, metal clips, metal fragments from cutting equipment, and pieces of 

metal according to QAD policies and procedures. 

583.1 Commodity found to be contaminated with metal shall be handled in accordance 

with FSIS procedures. Other procedures for the examination of the commodity shall 

be approved by the Director of the FSCS Division in writing.

584 Organoleptic and Defect Requirements for Dices

584.1 Organoleptic Requirements – The diced chicken shall be sampled on a continuous 

basis for compliance with the organoleptic requirements shown in Table 1. Any 

diced chicken that does not comply with the organoleptic requirements shall be 

rejected for use under this FPPS. 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 6

584.2 Defect Requirements – A 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample of diced chicken shall be drawn 

and examined for bone and other defects shown in Table 1, in a thawed state. The 

frequency of sampling and number of samples examined shall be those outlined in 

QAD’s Sample Plan Level 2 (SPL-2). The examination for bone shall be made 

separately from the examination for the other defects under SPL-3. 

584.2.1 Regardless of the kind and number of defects (within Table 1) found, any sample 

with bone or hard bone-like material greater than 0.40 inch (1.02 cm) shall be cause 

for rejection of the meat the sample represents.

584.2.2 If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or results 

in a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects shall be increased to a 2-

pound (0.91 kg) sample drawn twice each sampling interval until the cumulative 

number of bone defects reverts back to the “target” level. 

584.2.3 Product represented by a sample with more defects than the maximum tolerance for 

the sample plan shall be rejected.

590 Microbiological Requirements – Sampling and Laboratory Analyses

591 Lot – For the purpose of microbiological testing, a lot is defined as the amount of 

finished Diced Chicken produced within a day, which shall be further divided into 

sub-lots. A sub-lot is the amount of product produced in one hour or a volume not to 

exceed 15,000 pounds. Contractor shall maintain the identity and traceability of 

each sub-lot. 

592 Samples for Laboratory Analyses – The samples for laboratory analysis shall be 

collected at random from each sub-lot in an aseptic manner under the supervision 

of the AMS Grader.

592.1 For every sub-lot, three 0.50-pounds (0.23 kg) samples from each package 

sampled shall be collected. Costs incurred for sampling supplies, sampling, 

shipping the samples, and the laboratory analysis shall be paid by the Contractor. 

The three samples from each sub-lot shall be used as follows:

592.1.1 One for microbiological analyses at a USDA or USDA-approved laboratory. 

592.1.2 One for the contractor. 

592.1.3 One for a reserve sample. 

593 The frozen commodity samples shall be maintained in a frozen state. 

594 The samples for the contractor shall be given to the contractor after all the samples 

for the lot has been drawn and prepared. 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 7

595 The reserve samples shall be identified as such and shall be retained in a freezer 

under the control of the AMS Grader. These samples shall be used for laboratory 

analyses when the original samples are lost or arrive at the USDA or USDAapproved laboratory in an unacceptable condition, or when requested by the FSCS 

Division. 

595.1 If the reserve samples are not used, they shall be returned to the contractor.

596 A sub-lot of packaged frozen commodity shall comply with the following 

microbiological requirements when sampled and analyzed.

596.1 Standard plate count shall not exceed 1,000 colony forming units (CFU)/gram. 

596.2 Coliform count shall not exceed 50 CFU/gram. 

596.3 Escherichia coli (E. coli) results shall be less than 10 CFU/gram. 

596.4 Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) results shall be less than 10 

CFU/gram. 

596.5 Salmonella shall not be detected.

596.6 Listeria monocytogenes shall not be detected.

597 If any sample from a lot is found to exceed a critical limit or produce a positive 

result, it shall be ineligible and shall be diverted from the AMS purchase program. 

The contractor shall maintain record of the diverted product and make it available to 

AMS agents upon request.

597.1 The USDA or USDA-approved laboratory shall immediately notify FSIS and the 

FSCS Division of all confirmed pathogens.

598 Approved Laboratories – The samples for laboratory analyses may be submitted to 

the USDA or a USDA-approved laboratory listed on the AMS Laboratory Approval 

Service website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/microbiological. 

599 Laboratory Analysis – Information on sample analysis, including sample handling 

and preparation, methods, and reporting of results, can be found in the 

requirements document titled Laboratory Approval Program for the Microbiological 

Testing of Poultry Products for the Federal Purchase Program.

599.1 This document is located on the AMS Laboratory Approval Service website: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/microbiological. 

600 PACKAGING AND PACKING
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 8

610 The contractor shall assure that all packaging, packing, labeling, closure, marking, 

and palletization comply with the National Motor Freight Regulations and FSIS 

regulations and the requirements listed below.

620 Packaging - All packaging and packing materials shall be clean and in new 

condition, shall not impart objectionable odors or flavors to the dices, shall be safe 

(cannot adulterate product or be injurious to health) for use in contact with food 

products, and shall be tamper-evident. Tamper-evident is defined as packaging 

and packing materials with one or more indicators or barriers to entry, which, if 

breached or missing, can reasonably be expected to provide visible evidence that 

tampering has occurred. All packaging material shall comply with FSIS regulations 

(9 CFR § 381.144(c)).

621 Plastic-film Bags – Bags for packaging the commodity shall be a polyethylene film 

bag with a wall thickness of not less than 3 mil (0.003 inch); and shall protect the 

commodity from dehydration, freezer burn, or quality deterioration during the 

conditions of use. Closure methods shall be approved by a representative of the 

QA Division. Metal wire ties, paper-coated wire ties, or staples shall not be used for 

sealing plastic-film bags.

630 Shipping Containers – Shipping containers shall:

630.1 Be good commercial fiberboard containers that are acceptable by common or other 

carrier for safe transport to point of destination, 

630.2 Be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging; 

630.3 Withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage, and 

630.4 Be closed by commercially accepted methods and materials. Steel or wire straps 

shall not be used for final closure. 

631 Staples shall not be used for final closure of shipping containers. Adhesive or 

staples cannot be used to fasten the top portion of telescope-style containers to the 

bottom portion. Staples may be used to manufacture and to assemble the 

fiberboard shipping containers, provided the staples are fastened into the container 

and tightly clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the dices into the 

shipping containers.

640 Packaging – Approximately 5 or 10-pounds of commodity shall be packaged in a 

plastic-film bag. The bag shall be of a length that can be readily and securely 

closed. The bag shall be sealed or closed with a non-metallic device that shall

protect the commodity from contamination, dehydration, and freezer burn.

650 Packing – Eight 5-pound or four 10-pound bags with 40 pounds net weight of 

commodity shall be packed in a fiberboard shipping container.

700 LABELING
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 9

710 CN Labeling information or a Product Formulation Statement demonstrating product 

contribution to the National School Lunch Program meal pattern requirements is 

required. For more 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 .

711 Commercial Labeling Requirements

711.1 Commercially labeled packages and shipping containers shall be labeled in 

accordance with FSIS requirements. Labeling shall be approved by FSIS prior to 

acceptance for use under this FPPS.

711.2 Commercial Labels – Commercial labels shall be the processor’s own commercial 

label. Distributors’ labels are not allowed.

712 Traceable Product – The processor shall establish a product identification and 

record system that clearly links product by place and time of manufacture to specific 

USDA contracts and destinations. When the company uses the same commercial 

label for the product certified as complying with this FPPS and commercial product, 

the identification system shall differentiate between USDA and non-USDA products. 

An alpha numeric code may be used for information that is in addition to FSIS 

labeling requirements. The required product identification and record system, 

including codes, shall be reviewed by USDA/AMS before production begins for the 

contract(s).

713 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements on Shipping Containers

Nutrition Facts shall be provided. The ingredient statement, even for single 

ingredient foods, shall be included as a statement separate from the name of the 

product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen statement shall be 

provided in the format which complies with the Food Allergen Labeling and 

Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), and 9 CFR § 317.2(b), 9 CFR 381.116(a) for 

any product which contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, 

soy or wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______. For additional guidance 

refer to the Compliance Guidance at: 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f9cbb0e9-6b4d-4132-ae27-

53e0b52e840e/Allergens-Ingredient.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

720 Unacceptable Labeling 

721 Commercial labels that do not have a processor traceability system and code.

722 Commercial labeling traceability coding and systems that have not been reviewed 

by a representative of USDA, AMS, LPS Program, QAD. 

723 Distributor Commercial Labels
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 10

724 Two or more different commercial labels in the same purchase unit.

730 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

731 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a seavan are required to show 

the final destination’s overseas address as provided in the Sales Order/Item 

Number. The address shall be clearly printed on at least two sides of each panel.

800 FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

810 Packaging Defects – Packages in a delivery unit shall be examined for defects that 

affect protection, expose product, permit dehydration or freezer burn, or quality 

deterioration during storage, such as tears, holes, or improperly sealed or closed 

packages.

811 Packing Defects – Shipping containers in a delivery unit shall be examined for 

condition, labeling, and marking defects according to the United States Standards 

for Condition of Food Containers.

812 Tolerance for Defects – If samples of packaged commodity or the shipping 

containers in a delivery unit have more defects than the maximum tolerance for the 

applicable QAD sample plan, the delivery unit shall be rejected.

820 A purchase unit or delivery unit shall total 40,000 pounds net, or multiples thereof. 

821 Each delivery unit shall be examined for compliance with the net weight 

requirements at time of checkloading.

822 The tare weight of all packing materials shall be determined by weighing a 

representative sample of all packaging components such as plastic-film bags, clips, 

and fiberboard containers.

823 Twelve (12) shipping containers shall be selected at random from a delivery unit to 

determine net weight. The total net weight of the 12 shipping containers shall be 

equal to or greater than 480 pounds.

824 If the total net weight is less than 480 pounds, the delivery unit shall be rejected.

824.1 A rejected delivery unit may be reworked and reoffered one time only. However, if 

an individual shipping container in the sample of the reworked delivery unit has a 

net weight less than 39.60 pounds, the delivery unit shall be rejected.

825 As an alternative to test weighing at time of checkloading, the contractor may 

request on-line verification of net weights. Upon receiving the request, a FederalState Supervisor (or their designee) shall determine that the facilities and 

procedures are in accordance with the applicable LPS Program’s instructions for 

this FPPS.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 11

830 Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity

831 Visual Inspection – Frozen cooked commodity showing any evidence of defrosting, 

refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

831.1 A defect for condition of dices is a sample (package) in which dices are stuck 

together in clumps and cannot be easily and readily separated without removing 

from the bag. Sample size shall be one 10-pound (4.54 kg) package drawn from 18 

shipping containers randomly selected from the delivery unit. If four or more 

samples (of the 18 samples examined at the time of loading) are found to contain 

the defects described, the delivery unit shall be rejected. Frozen cooked commodity 

showing any evidence of defrosting, refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be 

rejected for use under this FPPS.

832 Internal Product Temperature

832.1 The frozen cooked commodity shall be 2 °F (-16.7 °C) or lower at the time of 

loading. Delivery units with internal product temperatures exceeding 2 °F (-16.7 °C) 

and up to 5 °F (-15 °C) shall be tentatively rejected. Tentatively rejected delivery 

units may be returned to the freezer and the temperature reduced to 2 °F (-16.7 °C) 

or lower and reoffered one time only. Delivery units exceeding 5 °F (-15 °C) or 

delivery units that have been tentatively rejected and exceed 2 °F (-16.7 °C) when 

reoffered shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

832.2 Optional temperature verification – The contractor may request an alternate method

utilizing product temperature-sensing devices. If this option is selected, a FederalState Supervisor shall determine that the facilities, equipment, procedures, and the 

contractors’ current level of freezing compliance are in accordance with the 

established guidelines outlined in the applicable LPS Program’s instructions for this

FPPS.

840 Inspection and Checkloading

841 Requirements – Inspection for contract compliance shall be made by a USDA 

representative, in accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulations, and this FPPS, at 

the site of processing, both during and after processing and packaging. Inspection 

records shall be complete and made available to USDA, as requested, to assure 

contract compliance.

842 Procedures – The inspection and checkloading shall be performed by the AMS

Grader. Procedures to be followed and a schedule of fees for these services may 

be obtained by contacting the nearest QAD field office or the Director of QAD, LPS 

Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 

Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 690-3147. The quality, quantity, 

weight, packaging, packing, and checkloading of the commodity shall be evidenced 

by certificates issued by the AMS Grader. The contractor shall not ship the 

commodity unless informed by the AMS Grader that the designated commodity to 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 12

be shipped meets the requirements of the AMS Master Solicitation of Commodity 

Procurements, Solicitation, and this FPPS.

900 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

910 All products 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.

920 Size and Style of Container – Only one size and style of shipping container shall be 

used in any one delivery unit.

1000 SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY

1010 Shipment and Delivery – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation of Commodity 

Procurements. 

1011 In addition, the contractor shall adhere to the following provisions:

1011.1 Each shipping container shall be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance 

stamp with the applicable certificate number. An AMS Grader, or other authorized 

personnel under the supervision of the AMS Grader, shall stamp one end of each 

shipping container prior to shipment. If there is inadequate space available on 

either end of the shipping container, the stamp may be applied to a side of the 

container.

1012 A copy of the original USDA Poultry Grading Certificate issued at time of 

checkloading shall accompany each shipment.

1012.1 Railcar or Piggyback – If shipment is by rail or piggyback, the certificate shall be 

placed in the railcar or trailer for easy access to the Grader, warehouseman, or 

consignee, as applicable.

1012.2 Trucks – If shipment is by truck, the driver shall, upon delivery, give the certificate to 

the Grader, warehouseman, or consignee, as applicable.

1020 Loading and Sealing of Vehicles

1021 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1030 Delivery Notification

1031 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1040 Split Deliveries
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Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 13

1041 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1100 DESTINATION EXAMINATION

1110 The cost of a destination examination, before or after delivery, by an AMS Grader 

on accepted product shall be for the account of USDA. Costs for destination 

examinations of rejected delivery units shall be for the account of the contractor. 

The origin AMS Grader shall make arrangements for destination examination prior 

to delivery.

1111 Commodity Requirements – Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity may 

be examined by an AMS Grader on a spot-check basis for temperature, condition, 

identity, and when applicable, count. The commodity may be examined for 

conformance to contract provisions at any time required by the Contracting Officer. 

1112 Temperature – The commodity shall arrive at destination at an average internal 

product temperature not to exceed 10 °F (-12.2 °C) with no individual temperature 

exceeding 15 °F (-9.4 °C). 

1200 PRODUCT ASSURANCE AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

1210 Product Assurance – The Contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with 

all FPPS requirements and provisions set forth in the AMS Master Solicitation of 

Commodity Procurements and Solicitation.

1211 Waiver Requests – Contractor shall submit all waiver requests directly to the 

Commodity Procurements Staff (CPS) Contracting Officer for review and 

determination. Full list of CPS contacts can be found at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMS%20Commodity%20Procur

ement%20Staff%20Contact%20List.pdf

1220 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be the 

responsibility of 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.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2012

Date Revised: 08/25/2017 14

TABLE 1

Organoleptic Requirements and Defects for Dices

Organoleptic Requirements (meat):

Organoleptic Requirements (dices):

The meat shall be free of rancidity to 

include: fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, 

tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorine-like, other 

foreign or off-odors. The meat shall show 

no evidence of mishandling or 

deterioration and have a bright color and 

show no evidence of dehydration and 

thawing. 

The dices shall be free of foreign 

materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, 

plastic, metal) and odors which are not 

characteristic of properly cooked and 

handled chicken meat; for example, 

rancid, metallic, cardboardy, stale, sour, 

or scorched. 

Defects for Bone: The presence of bone or bonelike material greater 

than 0.40 inch (1.02 

cm). (584.2.1).

The presence of bone or bonelike material less than 

0.40 inch (1.02 cm).

(584.2.2)

Defects for Other: 1. Cartilage (gristle), tendon or tendinous 

material, ligament or ligamentous 

material that is soft-like in texture and 

extends or is greater than 0.40 inch 

(1.02 cm). 

2. Dark-colored (due to blood) artery or 

vein greater than 0.30 inch (0.76 cm) in 

length. 

3. Bruises or blood clots which exceed an 

area equivalent to a circle with a 

diameter of 0.25 inch (0.64 cm). 

4. An aggregate area of all discolorations 

with moderate intensity which exceeds 

an area equivalent to a circle with a 

diameter of 0.50 inch (1.27 cm). 

5. An aggregate area of skin greater than 

1 square inch (6.45 cm2).