Commodity 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Procurement Room 3452-S, STOP 0256

Branch Washington, DC 20250-0256

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION JUNE 2012

PURCHASE OF BEEF, SPECIAL TRIM (FRESH/FROZEN)

FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CHILD NUTRITION AND

OTHER FEDERAL FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS

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

special trim, fresh or frozen as described in the attached References to the Applicable Bid and 

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

information on the Item Description and Checklist of Requirements (IDCR) for Beef Special Trim,

effective May 2012 (Attachment I). 

I. INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS

A. The beef special trim will be purchased on a competitive bid basis from suppliers who 

have met the requirements described in Section I.B. Interested suppliers may submit a 

production plan at any time during this purchase program. Suppliers should allow 10 working 

days from receipt of production plan by USDA for notification of the results of the evaluation

of the production plan from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). A 

supplier is deemed eligible to bid after notification by the COTR.

Submission of a production plan is not binding on USDA. Actual purchases will be on a 

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

issued Invitations for Bid (IFB).

B. Documentation and Assessment Requirements 

To become an eligible supplier, the following must be submitted electronically to the 

Standardization Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture for 

evaluation and approval prior to bidding:

a. Production Plan Requirement:

1) Include a detailed description of the beef special trim offered and each of the 

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

requirements set forth in the applicable specification. (Plan/Do)

2) Describe all the quality assurance methods used to verify conformance to all 

requirements. This will include the monitoring and measurements taken during 

the process to verify conformance with each requirement. All measurement 

results shall be recorded and made available to AMS. (Check)

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

specification requirements occur during production, and all preventative actions to 

be taken to preclude a reoccurrence. (Act)
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 2

4) The production plan shall follow the format as describe in Section III. Production Plan

format. Offeror’s proposal should be brief and concise.

5) The production plan shall be preceded by the following, as required by the

template:

a) Table of Contents listing the major areas as they appear in the production 

plan template; and

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

6) The production plan should be written in the following format:

a) Plan and Do - A description of the planning and production steps taken to meet each 

requirement.

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

conformances to each requirement. This will include the monitoring and 

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

and made available to AMS upon request).

c) Act - Identifies all corrective actions to be taken if deviations from contractual and 

specification requirements occur during production and all preventative actions 

taken to preclude reoccurrences.

The COTR will review each production plan to determine if the proposal is adequate and 

will notify the supplier of the status of their production plan. See Section III for instructions 

for submission of technical proposals.

Once a supplier is notified by the COTR that the production plan meets the applicable 

criteria, the Grading and Verification Division (GVD) will contact the supplier to set up a

pre-award onsite capability assessment.

b. Assessment by the GVD

After the production plan(s) are evaluated and approved, a GVD auditor will 

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

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

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

1) Pre-Award Onsite Capability Assessment

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

thorough evaluation of the potential contractors’ and subcontractors’ facility(s), 

processes, food defense plan, quality control program, equipment, procedures, 

and the appropriate documents and forms used during the production of the beef 

special trim, fresh/frozen. Documentation must support: 1) the production of the 

beef special trim that complies with the applicable specification and the potential 

contractor’s approved production plan, and 2) the contractor’s or subcontractor’s 

food defense plan. In addition, the audit will consist of the review of records 

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

shipping records, and interviews with management and production personnel.

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

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

satisfactorily completed the pre-award onsite capability assessment, the supplier 
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 3

will receive written notification from the Contracting Officer of their eligibility 

to bid. 

If the report demonstrates that the process or food defense plan is inadequate, the 

applicant will be notified by the Contracting Officer that they are ineligible to 

bid. The applicant will have an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies, 

modify their process, food defense plan, and/or production plan, and resubmit for 

further consideration. Eligibility will depend on whether the modifications 

demonstrate that: 1) the process is capable of delivering frozen beef products in 

compliance with the applicable specification, 2) they are in compliance with 

their food defense plan, 3) includes the applicable assessment by USDA, and 4) 

they comply with other applicable contractual requirements.

2) Post-Award Assessment

Eligible suppliers who receive contracts must have their documented food 

defense plan, production plans, and supporting documentation readily available 

for review by the COTR or AMS agents. Records may be maintained on hard 

copy or electronic media. However, records maintained as electronic media will 

be made available in printed form immediately upon request by AMS or its 

agents.

The GVD will conduct an onsite audit of the contractor’s and subcontractor’s facility(s)

and processes when production commences for the first contract awarded. Additional 

audits will be conducted as determined by the Contracting Officer, but not less than 

once per month for contractors or subcontractors with continuous or multiple contracts, 

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

Officer, more frequent audits may be conducted when audit deficiencies are detected.

3) Post-Award Actions

Any deviation from contractual requirements will be immediately reported by 

the contractor to the COTR. The COTR will notify the contractor regarding 

eligibility to continue to participate as a contractor.

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

the applicable specification, the applicable assessment by USDA, and the 

contractor’s production plan approved by the COTR.

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

Master Solicitation.

C. Animal Welfare Requirements

All contractors and subcontractors must meet the animal handling and welfare requirements set 

forth in Attachment II- Technical Requirements Schedule - Animal Handling and Welfare 2010 

(TRS-AHW-2010), effective May 2010. 
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 4

D. Responsibility/Eligibility

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

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

thereunder. 

Subcontractors or suppliers of beef are: (1) ineligible if they are currently delivering late on 

USDA contracts, or USDA-approved subcontracts and late delivery is not due to causes beyond 

their control; and (2) nonresponsible if they are not operating under the provisions of the Federal 

Meat Inspection Act or have been suspended or debarred under the provisions of 48 C.F.R. 

Subpart 9.4

E. Loading and Sealing of Vehicles (AMS Master Solicitation Section G.)

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

approved production plan.

F. Domestic Requirements

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

subcontracts for meat or meat products used in fulfilling any contracts awarded under this 

Supplement and Master Solicitation. The burden of proof of compliance is on the Contractor. 

All raw materials will be shipped in containers labeled as “Domestic Only Product” on the 

principle display panel and the bill of lading accompanying the shipment will contain the 

statement “Domestic Only Product.”

II. SUBMISSION OF OFFERS

The following Item will be included in the attribute section of the offer submitted in Web 

Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM).

Offeror certifies that all products conform with the (applicable specification) and no changes to 

the production process or production plan have occurred without proper approval by the COTR.

 Does 
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 5

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF PRODUCTION PLAN

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

content of the proposals:

A. The Government has provided a production plan format which is to be used in preparing the 

production plan (see Exhibit B). The offeror shall submit production plan in an electronic format 

through the company’s external portal site maintained by the AMS Commodity Procurement

Division (see Exhibit C for instructions to obtain an external portal site). When submitting the 

production plan through the company’s external portal site, email notification to the COTR must 

be provided (darin.doerscher@ams.usda.gov or steve.whisenant@ams.usda.gov). The production 

plan shall be saved in a non-portable document file (not PDF: e.g., Microsoft Word). The 

production plan must be submitted in its entirety. The collection of attachments and appendices

may be submitted as a separate document. This format and electronic form provided will aid in 

the evaluation of the production plan.

B. The production plan must be submitted by an authorized agent of the company.

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

formatting instructions, technical evaluators may have difficulty evaluating the production plan to 

the fullest extent possible if the proposal is not presented in the proper format. Technical 

evaluators will not be required to search other subsections or sections of the offeror’s production 

plan for information requested for evaluation.

Note: When revisions to the approved production plan are submitted in their external 

portal site, the contractor must provide e-mail notification to the COTR.

D. Production Plan Revisions

Changes to an offeror’s production plan may be submitted based on the Government’s 

Amendments, Clarification Request, monitoring program, or at the request of the offeror. 

Maintenance of the integrity and clarity of each production plan is critical. All production plan

revisions must meet the following criteria:

1. Any changes to a production plan made by the offeror after its initial submittal shall be 

accomplished by submitting the entire production plan. A cover letter must be submitted 

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

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

2. Changes from the original production plant shall be highlighted and deletions in strikeouts.

Note: When revisions to the approved production plan are submitted by electronic (nonPDF) format in their external portal site, the contractor must provide an e-mail

notification to the COTR. 

IV. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND AUDIT SERVICES

A. The specification for beef special trim, fresh/frozen is identified in the Exhibit A. If AMS 

amends documents, Exhibit A will be updated to include appropriate references. 
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 6

B. Compliance with processing requirements as described in the IDCR, Beef Special Trim and 

contractor’s process documentation and quality control program will be verified through audits by 

AMS agents. The cost of all audits, including the pre-award, onsite assessment, must be borne by 

the contractor. 

C. Questions concerning GVD auditors should be discussed with the GVD, Program Manager, 

at (202) 309-1506.

V. QUALITY INSPECTION PLAN

Not required under this Supplement.

VI. INVOICES AND PAYMENT

In addition to the referenced payment documents in the Master Solicitation, please include a copy 

of the Contractor’s Certificate of Conformance; (see Exhibit D).

Purchases of the materials under this supplement require that a “three-way match” must be 

completed in WBSCM, i.e., Purchase Order (PO), Good Receipt, and Invoice with supporting 

documents attached.
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION 7 

VII. AMS CLAUSES 

A. Contractor Checkloading 

Contractor will perform checkloading examinations as described in the applicable 

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

shipment that includes all of the following information: 

1. Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Item Number; 

2. Sales Order Number/Sales Order Item Number; 

3. Name of product/Material Number; 

4. Shipping Date; 

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

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

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

applicable; 

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

9. Count and projected net weight verified; and 

10. Signature of company official responsible for checkloading. 

VIII. PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE as show in Section X of the AMS 

Master Solicitation 

A. FAR Provisions are modified as shown below: 

1. The North American Industry Classification System code for this acquisition is 311611 . 

2. The small business size standard is 500 employees. 

3. Type of Contract--The Government contemplates award of a firm-fixed price contract(s). 

4. Service of Protest: address for the Contracting Officer is: 1400 Independence Ave. 

S.W., Room 3524-S; Washington, DC 20250-0253 

l-' Director 

f Commodity Procurement Division 

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Attachments 
Commodity 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. EXHIBIT A DATED June 2011

Procurement Room 3452-S, STOP 0256 PAGE 1 OF 1

Branch Washington, DC 20250-0256

CHECKLIST AND REFERENCES TO APPLICABLE BID AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION, FOR BEEF, SPECIAL TRIM, FRESH/FROZEN

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS (SECTION 1. A. (GENERAL) BID/CONTRACT PROVISIONS

Product/

Commodity 

Box Code

Specifications 

Listed in Priority 

Order

WBSCM 

Material Number Packaging and Packing

Minimum 

Offer Unit 

Size/Shipping 

Unit

Tolerance 

Section. Delivery Period 

Federal/State Plants 

Section I.D..

Competition (See 

Invitation)

Beef Special 

Trim, Frozen

100156

Item Description 

and Checklist of 

Requirements for 

USDA Purchases 

of Beef Special 

Trim, Effective 

May 2012

100156 Product packed in leak 

proof shipping container to 

a net weight of 60 pounds.

42,000 lbs.

700 cases

NONE First Half/Last 

Half of Month

Federal Plants Only Full & Open

Beef Special 

Trim, Fresh

100171

100171 Bulk packed into plastic 

lined combo-bins to a 

weight between 1850 to 

2250 pounds.

42,000 lbs.

20 combobins

NONE 3-day delivery 

period

Federal Plants Only Full & Open
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT B

PAGE 1 OF 2

Cover Page: 

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

Contact Person, including title, phone number, including emergency contact 

information, e-mail address (must be authorized to represent the company).

Production plan for: [Supplement Number] and [Specification]

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

attachments must be identified and referenced in the Production plan)

The production plan should include all phases of production that meets or exceeds the 

requirements stated in the specification to produce complying product. 

I. ITEM DESCRIPTION

Brief Description of what the company plans to do to meet the requirements stated in the applicable 

specification (including the applicable documents).

II. CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS 

A. MATERIALS – Please provide a brief description of the planning, production steps (do), 

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

with the material section of the specification.

1. Meat Component

a. Domestic Origin of Meat Component – (plan, do, check, act)

b. Harvest (slaughter) - (plan, do, check, act)

(1). Humane Handling

(2). Pathogen Intervention Steps 

(3). Spinal Cord Removal

(4). Carcass Testing 

c. Boneless Beef Requirements - (plan, do, check, act)

(1). Traceability

(2). Handling

(3). Objectionable Materials

d. Mechanically Separated - (plan, do, check, act)

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

3. Fat Limitations – (plan, do, check, act)

4. Grade Requirement (N/A)

5. State of Refrigeration - (plan, do, check, act)

B. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY - Please provide a brief description of the planning, 

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

to assure compliance with the Preparation for Delivery section of the specification.

1. Packaging – (plan, do, check, act)

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

3. Closure – (plan, do, check, act)

4. Labeling – (plan, do, check, act)
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT B

PAGE 2 OF 2

All labeling shall be illustrated in the Offeror’s production plan. 

C. PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS - Please provide a brief description of the planning, production 

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

compliance with the palletized unit loads section of the specification.

D. DELIVERY UNIT - Please provide a brief description of the planning, production steps (do), 

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

with the delivery unit section of the specification.

E. DELIVERED PRODUCT - Please provide a brief description of the planning, production 

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

compliance with the delivered product section of the specification.

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

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

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

F. PRODCT ASSURANCE - Please provide a brief description of the planning, production steps 

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

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

1. Warranty and Complaint Resolution- (plan, do, check, act)

2. Non-Conforming Product- (plan, do, check, act)

3. AMS Monitoring and Production Assessment

Attachments or Appendixes

Please attach all referenced documents with the applicable document name and reference number.
Commodity 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Procurement Room 3522, STOP S-0239

Staff Washington, DC 20250-0239

In order for a company to submit documents electronically as prescribed in the applicable procurement 

documents, a company must have an external portal site set up in the Livestock and Seed Contractor 

Information (LSCI) site. Please complete the form below, print, and send the completed form by e-mail to 

sue.olson@ams.usda.gov. To assure that the accounts and names are set-up correctly the form must be filled 

out electronically. If additional space is needed, please submit an additional form. 

Company: 

Address: 

City: 

State: Zip code: 

Please provide the information below for each company personnel who need access to the company site.

First Name Middle 

Initial

Last Name E-mail address Title Phone Number

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT C UPDATED 10/2012
SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHBIT D

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

LIVESTOCK AND SEED PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE FOR

THE PROCUREMENT OF BEEF SPECIAL TRIM, FRESH/FROZEN ITEMS, FROZEN

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE

I certify the following:

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

commodity description) called for by Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Item number

 / via [Carrier] under Sales Order Number/Sales Order Item 

number(s): ___________/ .

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

and conforms in all respects with the purchase order requirements, including [Contractor’s 

name] Technical Proposal or Production plan as approved by the AMS, Commodity 

Procurement Program, Contracting Officer. 

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

attached acceptance document.

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

produced in the United States as defined in the Supplement 213, section I.G and AMS Master 

Solicitation Section I.E.

Date: 

Signature: 

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

Title: 
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 

I. ITEM DESCRIPTION 

Beef Special Trim will be limited to any combination of the following muscle 

systems: 

Peeled Knuckle – The peeled knuckle shall include the rectus femoris, and vastus 

lateralis, and may include the vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. 

Chuck Tender – The chuck tender shall consist of the supraspinatus muscle only. 

Shoulder Clod Arm Meat – The shoulder clod arm meat shall include the triceps 

brachii muscles (long, medial and lateral head) only. 

II. CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS 

All items must be produced in accordance with Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(FSIS) regulations and the checklist of requirements. The contractor’s technical 

proposal, submitted to the COTR, must adhere to the following checklist 

requirements. 

A. MATERIALS 

1. MEAT COMPONENT

The contractor’s technical proposal shall describe the necessary processing 

steps (including pictures) to comply with the items below. 

Beef Round, Knuckle, Peeled or Beef Round, Knuckle, Full, Peeled - 

This item consists of the full knuckle or posterior portion of the full knuckle 

(rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and may include vastus medialis, vastus 

intermedius). The knuckle shall (1) have the tensor faciae latae removed 

(peeled); (2) be butterflied to expose and remove the heavy connective 

tissue within the rectus femorus muscle and between the rectus femoris and 

vastus lateralis; (3) have the tendinous ends removed; and (4) have the 

sartorius removed. 

 

ITEM DESCRIPTION AND 

CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS 

(IDCR) FOR BEEF SPECIAL TRIM

Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) 

Livestock and Seed Program, Standardization Division 

Room 2607 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 260-8295 

Effective: June 2012

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 2 

Beef Chuck Tender - This item consists of the supraspinatus muscle, which 

lies dorsal to the medial ridge of the blade bone. The chuck tender shall be 

separated from other muscles through the natural seams. The large end 

(anterior end) shall be butterflied to expose and remove the heavy 

connective tissue within the muscle. 

Beef Chuck, Shoulder Clod Arm Meat - This item is derived from the beef 

shoulder clod and shall consist of the large muscle system of the thick end of 

the clod (triceps brachii – long, medial and lateral heads only). The shank 

end shall be butterflied to expose and remove heavy connective tissue 

associated with the elbow tendon. 

a. Domestic Origin Of Meat Component – Beef must originate from U.S. 

produced livestock as defined in the Supplement. 

b. Harvesting (Slaughtering) – Cattle will be harvested in facilities that 

comply with the following requirements: 

(1) Humane Handling – Cattle will be humanely handled in accordance 

with all applicable FSIS regulations and AMS requirements. 

(2) Pathogen Intervention Steps – Include at least two pathogen 

intervention steps. One of the intervention steps shall be steam 

pasteurization, an organic acid rinse, or a 180°F hot water wash and 

must be a critical control point (CCP) in their FSIS recognized 

slaughter process Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) 

plan. 

(3) Spinal Cord Removal – Remove all spinal cord material during the 

harvesting process. 

(4) Carcass Testing – Routinely test carcasses for E. coli 0157:H7 to 

verify effectiveness of interventions at CCP.

c. Boneless Beef – Only fresh-chilled boneless special trim which comply 

with the following requirements and has never been previously frozen will 

be allowed: 

(1) Traceability – Contractors are responsible for providing sufficient 

product traceability and must have records to verify the source of raw 

materials used in each production lot. 

(2) Handling – All boneless beef must be maintained in excellent 

condition. The contractor’s technical proposal shall include detailed 

production scheduling that addresses time and temperature controls 

necessary to maintain excellent condition of the boneless beef. 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 3 

(3) Objectionable Materials – The following objectionable materials shall 

be excluded: Major lymph glands (prefemoral, popliteal, and 

prescapular), thymus gland, bone, cartilage, sciatic (ischiatic) nerve, 

heavy connective tissue (shoulder tendon, elbow tendon, silver skin, 

sacrociatic ligament, opaque periosteum, tendinous ends of shanks, 

patellar ligament (stifle joint). 

d. Mechanically Separated – Beef that is mechanically separated from bone 

with automatic deboning systems or advanced meat (lean) recovery 

(AMR) systems is not allowed. 

2. NON-MEAT COMPONENTS 

Non-meat components such as spinal cord, organ tissue, and foreign 

material are not allowed. 

3. FAT LIMITATIONS 

Maximum average surface fat thickness – Peeled/Denuded, Surface 

Membrane Removed (90 percent lean exposed). Flake fat cannot exceed 

1⁄8-inch in depth at any point. 

4. GRADE REQUIREMENT 

No grade requirement. 

5. STATE OF REFRIGERATION 

Fresh-Chilled or Frozen as specified in the Supplement and/or Solicitation. 

When Fresh-Chilled is specified, product will be maintained and delivered at 

a temperature not less than 28°F (-2.2°C) or higher than 40°F (4.4°C). When 

frozen is specified, product will be frozen to an internal temperature of not 

higher than 0° F (-17.8°C) within 72 hours from the time of final fabrication of 

the lot. 

B. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY 

The contractor’s technical proposal will 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. 

1. PACKAGING 

For Beef Special Trim to be delivered frozen, product shall be bulk packaged 

without use of plastic liner material. When Beef Special Trim is to be 

delivered fresh-chilled, product shall be placed into plastic lined combo bins. 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 4 

2. PACKING 

Frozen bulk packaged Beef Special Trim shall be packed into containers to a 

net weight of 60 pounds. Only one style and size of leak proof container will 

be used for each item within any one delivery unit. Fresh-chilled Beef 

Special Trim bulk packaged product shall be placed in plastic lined combobins to a weight of between 1850 to 2250 pounds. 

3. CLOSURE 

Sixty (60) pound shipping containers shall be strapped. Combo-bins shall be 

sealed. 

4. LABELING 

Shipping container labels will be illustrated in the contractor’s technical 

proposal and contain the following information: 

a. USDA shield at least 2 inches high and appearing 

on the top of the container or on the principle 

display panel. 

b. Applicable purchase order number. 

c. A traceability code that is traced back to 

establishment number, production lot, and date. 

d. The appropriate product name and material number listed in the table 

below for each of the items. 

Item Material 

Number 

Beef, Boneless, Special Trim, Frozen 100156 

Beef , Boneless, Special Trim, Chilled 100171 

e. The words “For Further Processing into Cooked Product” will appear on 

the principal display panel. 

f. A nutrition facts panel based on actual nutritional analysis of the product. 

g. Ingredient declaration (including single ingredient products). 

h. 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 ______. 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 5 

C. PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS 

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. 

D. DELIVERY UNIT 

The delivery unit shall be 42,000 pounds (18,900 kg.) net weight (700 frozen 

shipping containers or 20 fresh-chilled combo-bins). 

E. DELIVERED PRODUCT 

1. SIZE AND STYLE OF CONTAINER 

Only one size and style of shipping container may be used in any one 

delivery unit. 

2. TEMPERATURE 

Product temperature will not exceed 0°F at the time of shipment and delivery 

for frozen delivery, 40°F at the time of shipment and delivery for fresh-chilled 

delivery. 

3. SEALING 

All products must be delivered to AMS destinations under seal with tamper 

proof, tamper resistant, serially numbered, high security seals that meet the 

American Society for Testing and Materials Standard F 1157-04. 

F. PRODUCT ASSURANCE 

1. WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION 

a. Warranty – The contractor will guarantee that the product complies with 

all contractual requirements required under this Supplement. 

b. Complaint Resolution – The contractor’s technical proposal must provide 

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

contact, cause and effect analysis, corrective and preventative actions 

taken, and product replacement). 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Approved by_________ MEO 

Date Issued: 02/01/08 

Date Revised: 06/04/12 6 

2. NON-CONFORMING PRODUCT 

The contractor must have documented procedures that assure 

nonconforming product identification, segregation, and disposition in order to 

prevent misuse and that nonconforming product is not delivered to USDA. 

The plan must address 1) control and segregation of non-conforming 

product, 2) removal of any USDA markings, and 3) disposition of nonconforming product, including vendor notification in writing to the 

Standardization Division of final disposition (e.g., diverted to commercial 

production, cooked product or destroyed). 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT I
Animal Handling and Welfare 

1.0 General 

1.1 Program Approach 

The contractor and all subcontractors must develop and implement a written program that is 

consistent with a systematic approach to humane handling and welfare as outlined in 

69 FR 54625. The program will ensure proper animal handling and welfare techniques are 

conducted from the time the transportation conveyance enters the facility’s premises through 

the stunning and exsanguination processes of the animal. 

1.2 Program Submission 

The program will be submitted as a supporting document to the firm’s approved technical 

proposal and must address the requirements outlined in Section 2.0 – Program 

Components. 

2.0 Program Components 

The contractor must ensure that any facility that harvests animals for the program has a: 

2.1 Mission Statement 

Mission Statement on Animal Handling and Welfare that is distributed to all employees and 

conspicuously displayed at the premises. 

2.2 Training Program 

Training program on Animal Handling and Welfare that: 

 is provided to all employees interacting with animals; 

 covers Chapter 3: Transportation Audit Guidelines, Core Criteria 1 and 3 of the AMI 

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2010 Edition;

 

 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 

SCHEDULE – ANIMAL HANDLING AND 

WELFARE 2010 (TRS-AHW-2010) 

Contracting Officer Technical 

Representative (COTR) Standards, 

Analysis, and Technology Branch 

Room 2607 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 720-

4486 

Effective: May 2010

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT II
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 covers Chapter 4: Auditing Animal Handling and Stunning 7 Core Criteria of the AMI 

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2010 Edition;

 is conducted no less frequently than once a year for each designated employee; and, 

 requires signed documentation from each employee and confirmation by signature of the 

designated trainer upon successful completion of training. 

2.3 Quality Management Plan 

Written quality management plan (internal) which addresses the provisions of Chapter 3: 

Transportation Audit Guidelines, Core Criteria 1 and 3, and Chapter 4: Auditing Animal 

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

Guidelines and Audit Guide 2010 Edition, found at the following web site: 

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

2.4 Non-Ambulatory and U.S. Suspects 

2.4.1 Cattle 

Written protocol in-place and enforced that precludes the receipt of or having nonambulatory, disabled cattle on the harvest facility premise. In the event that animals become 

non-ambulatory or disabled at any time while present at the harvest facility, the animal will be 

humanely euthanized and the carcass removed from the premise in a timely manner through 

contracted services or other means.

2.4.2 Hogs and Sheep 

Written protocol in-place and enforced that ensures all animals designated by FSIS as U.S. 

Suspects (9 CFR 301.2) that are slaughtered are appropriately segregated during the 

harvest and production processes and precluded from inclusion in any products purchased 

by AMS. 

3.0 Program Evaluation and Eligibility 

The program will be audited (external) by a firm accredited by AMS. The accreditation of the 

firm will be conducted by the Audit, Review and Compliance Branch through the 

LS ISO Guide 65 Program. Alternatively, at the option of the contractor or subcontractor, 

the audits can be performed by AMS auditors. 

3.1 Audit Format 

The AMS accredited auditing firm must conduct audits utilizing the following format: 

3.1.1 Transportation Segment (Chapter 3: AMI Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines 

and Audit Guide 2010 Edition) 

Audited firms must pass Core Criteria 1 with a minimum scoring of excellent and Core 

Criteria 3 with a minimum scoring of acceptable each time an audit is performed. 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT II
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3.1.2 Animal Handling and Stunning Segment (Chapter 4: AMI Recommended Animal 

Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2010 Edition) 

Audited firms must pass Core Criteria 1 through 5 with a minimum scoring of acceptable 

while Core Criteria 6 and 7 must be adhered to with full compliance (zero tolerance) each 

time an audit is performed. 

3.2 Initial Audit 

Initial audit must be performed prior to award of contracts. 

3.3 Audit Failure 

If an audit is failed for any of the Core Criteria, the firm is not eligible to provide product until 

such a time that corrective and preventative actions are approved by the Contracting Officer, 

implemented and proven effective. 

3.4 Audit Frequency and Status 

 STANDARD - Until four (4) consecutive successfully passed audits are attained, an audit 

must be conducted within 3 months of the previous audit. 

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

pass requirements while in the STANDARD phase, auditing will be required to be 

conducted on a monthly basis once corrective and preventative actions have been 

approved by the Contracting Officer, implemented and proven effective. This schedule 

will be for a period of time until four (4) successive audits are found to meet the pass 

requirements noted within Chapter 3 (Core Criteria 1 and 3) and Chapter 4 (Core Criteria 

1 through 7) of the AMI Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 

2010 Edition; at which time audits shall be conducted on the STANDARD basis. 

 If four successfully conducted audits are sequentially completed within a one year period 

while in STANDARD auditing phase, the facility may move to a SEMI-ANNUAL audit 

basis. 

 SEMI-ANNUAL - Semi-annual audits may continue until such time that a failed audit is 

reported or a period of greater than six months has elapsed without any audits being 

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

4.0 Contracting Officer 

The contracting officer can declare a contractor’s and/or subcontractor’s Animal Handing and 

Welfare Program out of compliance at any time. 

SUPPLEMENT 213 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION ATTACHMENT II