AMSC N/A FSC 8925 

 METRIC 

A-A-20124E 

 March 15, 2017 

 SUPERSEDING 

 A-A-20124D 

 April 17, 2008 

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION 

SYRUP (NOT INCLUDING MAPLE SYRUP) 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized 

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID). 

1. SCOPE. This CID covers syrup (not including Maple Syrup) (syrup), packed in 

commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments, other 

interested parties, and as a component of operational rations. Please note: This document does 

not guarantee purchase of this item by USDA.1

2. PURCHASER NOTES. 

2.1. Purchasers must specify the following: 

 Type(s), flavor(s), and style(s) of syrup desired (Sec. 3). 

 When analytical requirements are different than specified (Sec. 7.1). 

 When compliance with analytical requirements must be verified (Sec. 7.2). 

 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.4). 

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following: 

 Food Defense (Sec. 10.1) and Manufacturer’s Quality Assurance (Sec. 10.2). Purchaser may 

specify one of the following combinations: Sec. 10.1.1 with 10.2.1 or 10.1.2 with 10.2.2. 

 Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 11). 

3. CLASSIFICATION. The syrup must conform to the following list which must be specified 

in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 

 

1

 USDA purchase specifications are available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs.
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Types, flavors, and styles.2

Type I - Syrup, blended, corn, high fructose (HFCS) (for baking and cooking) 

Type II - Syrup, corn (for baking and cooking)

Type III - Syrup, blended, corn and refiners’ (for baking and cooking) 

Type IV - Syrup, blended, invert and sugar syrup (sucrose) (for baking and cooking) 

Type V - Syrup, table (for pancakes, waffles, etc.)3

Flavor A - Artificial maple (Type V only) 

Flavor B - Blueberry (Type V only) 

Flavor C - Strawberry (Type V only) 

Flavor D - Butter maple (Type V only) 

Flavor E - Other (as specified by the purchaser) (Type V only) 

Style 1 - Regular calorie (Type V only) 

Style 2 - Lite or Light (21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 101.13, Type V only) 

4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s 

products must meet the requirements of the:

 Processing guidelines (Sec. 5). 

 Salient characteristics (Sec. 6). 

 Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 7). 

 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 8). 

 Regulatory requirements (Sec. 9). 

 Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10). 

 Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec.11). 

5. PROCESSING GUIDELINES. 

5.1 Processing. The syrup must be processed in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing 

Practice (CGMP) (21 CFR Part 110) or the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard 

Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food (21 CFR Part 117) in effect on 

the date of the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, and as applicable to the production 

facility. 

5.2 Food defense. The syrup must be processed and transported in accordance with the Food 

and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and 

Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.4

 This guidance document 

 

2

 Not all options are available from every manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer/distributor for availability. 3

 Table syrup does not include Maple Syrup (21 CFR § 168.140). 

4 http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm. 
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identifies the kinds of preventive measures food manufacturers, processors, or handlers may take 

to minimize the risk that food under their control will be subject to tampering or other malicious, 

criminal, or terrorist actions. The implementation of enhanced food defense preventive measures 

provides for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and 

transportation of pre-production raw materials, other ingredients, and post-production finished 

product. 

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS. 

6.1 Labeling. All ingredients must be declared by their common or usual name in descending 

order of predominance by weight (21 CFR §101.4(a)) unless exempted by 21 CFR §101.100. 

6.2 Additional processing ingredients. When used, all additional ingredients must meet the 

standards specified in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) or, in the absence of FCC specification 

at a minimum, meet the specifications for quality set by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-National 

Formulary quality. The additional ingredients must be approved for those particular uses by 

FDA’s regulations on food additives (21 CFR Part 170) or Direct Food Substances Affirmed as 

Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) requirements (21 CFR Part 184). 

6.3 Finished product. The syrup must be clean, clear, free from fermentation, and free from 

any objectionable flavor, odor, or sediment. 

6.3.1 Type I - Syrup, blended, corn, high fructose corn syrup. Type I syrup must not contain 

added coloring. Type I syrup must be flavored with vanilla, vanillin USP grade, or ethyl 

vanillin, or in any combination. A defoaming agent that is approved by the FDA (21 CFR § 

173.340) may be used at the level permitted. The syrup must be composed of corn syrup, HFCS, 

salt, flavorings and may contain water. 

6.3.2 Type II - Syrup, corn. Type II syrup must not contain added coloring. Type II syrup 

must be flavored with vanilla, vanillin USP grade, or ethyl vanillin, or any combination of the 

two. A defoaming agent that is approved by the FDA (21 CFR § 173.340) may be used at the 

level permitted. The syrup must be composed of corn syrup, salt, and flavorings. 

6.3.3 Type III - Syrup, blended, corn and refiners’. Type III syrup must be formulated from 

not less than 3 and not greater than 20 percent (solids basis) of U.S. Fancy grade refiners’ syrup, 

blended with corn syrup. 

6.3.4 Type IV - Syrup, blended, invert and sugar syrup (sucrose). Type IV syrup must be 

formulated from equal parts of invert sugar and sugar syrup (solids basis). 

 
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6.3.5 Type V - Syrup, table. Type V syrup must possess a flavor and color characteristic of the 

flavor specified. The syrup must be manufactured in accordance with the U.S. Standard of 

Identity for Table Sirup, 21 CFR § 168.180. 

6.3.5.1 Flavor A, Artificial maple. The syrup must not be light or darker than amber, 

comparable in color to the U.S. Grade A Amber of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Maple 

Syrup. The syrup may not be off-color. 

6.3.5.2 Flavor D, Butter maple. The syrup must contain not less than 2 percent of butter, by 

weight, of the finished product (21 CFR § 168.180(b)(2)). 

6.4 Foreign material. All ingredients and finished product must be clean, sound, wholesome, 

and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation. The syrup must be free from foreign 

material such as, but not limited to, dirt, insect parts, hair, wood, glass, or metal. 

7. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS. 

7.1 Analytical requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract or 

purchase order, the following analytical requirements for the syrup must conform to those in 

Table I: 

TABLE I. Analytical requirements

Type and style

Brix solids 

(Percent)

Maximum Ash 

(Percent) Color

Type I and II Minimum 70.0 0.50 Not darker than “Water White” 5

Type III Minimum 72.0 1.00 - 

Type IV Minimum 76.0 0.20 - 

Type V, Style 1 Minimum 66.0 - 

U.S. Grade A Amber or light 

transmittance (TC) of 50.0 percent 

to 74.9 percent in accordance with 

the Color Standards for “Maple 

Syrup” developed by the USDA. 

Type V, Style 2 Maximum 44.0 - 

U.S. Grade A Amber or light 

transmittance (TC) of 50.0 percent 

to 74.9 percent in accordance with 

the Color Standards for “Maple 

Syrup” developed by the USDA.

 

5

 Color must be determined using Color Standards for “Extracted Honey” developed by the USDA. 
A-A-20124E 

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7.2 Analytical verification. Purchaser must specify manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification 

(Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.4). 

7.3 USDA verification procedures. When USDA certification (Sec. 10.4) is specified in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing must be performed as follows. 

7.3.1 Product verification sampling. When USDA verification of analytical requirements is 

specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing must be performed on 

subsamples of packages randomly selected from the lot. The number of subsamples must be 

based on USDA inspection service sampling procedures and plans (7 CFR § 52.38). The 

contents of each will be used to create a composite sample for analytical testing.

7.3.2 Analytical testing and reporting. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the analyses must be made in accordance with the following methods from the 

AOAC International Official Methods of Analysis (OMA) or as specified below in Table II. 

Any result not conforming to the analytical requirements will be cause for rejection of the lot.

TABLE II. Analytical testing and reporting

Test Method Reported as 

Solids (Brix) 932.14C Nearest 0.1 percent 

Ash 900.02 Nearest 0.01 percent 

Color, Type I and II Visual Comparison Test (As 

described by U.S. Standards for 

Grades of Extracted Honey, Section 

52.1398)6

Per U.S. Standards 

for Grades of 

Extracted Honey 

Color, Type V Visual Comparison Test (As 

described by U.S. Standards for 

Grades of Maple Syrup, Section 

52.5964)7

 or equivalent 

Per U.S. Standards 

for Grades of Maple 

Syrup 

8. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S PRODUCT ASSURANCE. The manufacturer/ 

distributor must certify that the syrup provided meets the salient characteristics of this CID, 

conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the same 

syrup offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser reserves the right to require 

proof of conformance. 

 

6

 Visual Comparison Test is available for purchase from X-Rite. 

7

 The Lovibond Visual Comparison Test is available for purchase from Tintometer, Inc. 
A-A-20124E 

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9. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered syrup must comply with all applicable 

Federal, State, and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, 

packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of the syrup in the commercial marketplace. 

Delivered syrup must comply with all applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and regulations promulgated 

thereunder. When a known allergen is included in the syrup, the syrup must comply with the 

allergen labeling requirements of the FD&C Act. Major allergens identified in the FD&C Act 

include: wheat, fish, milk, soy, tree nuts, eggs, peanuts, and shellfish or those in effect on the 

date of the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser must specify 10.3, or 10.4. 

Purchaser may specify one of the following combinations: 10.1.1 with 10.2.1, or 10.1.2 with 

10.2.2. 

10.1 Food defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a Food 

Defense Systems Survey (FDSS) must be conducted by USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division. Food 

defense requirements include a documented and operational food defense plan that provides for 

the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and transportation of preproduction raw materials and other ingredients and post-production finished product. The plan 

must address the following areas: (1) food security plan management; (2) outside and inside 

security of the production and storage facilities; (3) slaughter, when applicable, and processing, 

including all raw material sources; (4) shipping and receiving; (5) storage; (6) water and ice 

supply; (7) mail handling; (8) personnel security; and (9) transportation, shipping, and receiving. 

10.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS must be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division. The FDSS verifies that operators of food 

establishments have implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal 

actions against the food under their control. An AMS FDSS verifies the participating company’s 

adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: 

Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.8

10.1.2 Food defense section of the Plant Systems Audit (PSA). When required in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a food defense audit will be conducted as part of the 

PSA. The audit will be conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division auditors. This verifies 

that operators of food establishments have implemented measures to minimize the risk of 

tampering or other criminal actions against the food under their control. The food defense 

section of the PSA verifies the participating company’s adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for 

Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures 

Guidance.9 

 

8

 See footnote 4 on page 2. 

9

 See footnote 4 on page 2. 
A-A-20124E 

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10.2 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the product manufacturer will be required to provide evidence, by certificate that 

the manufacturing plant has undertaken one of the following quality assurance measures within 

12 months prior to providing a bid or no later than 10 business days from the date of the 

awarding of the contract. Failure to provide this documentation within the proper time frame 

may result in the contract being terminated for cause. 

10.2.1 Plant survey. A plant survey conducted by USDA, AMS, or other survey performed by 

a third party auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the 

contract. The plant survey audit verifies that, at the time of the survey, the manufacturer 

produces products in a clean, sanitary environment in accordance with CGMP (21 CFR Part 110) 

or the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive 

Controls for Human Food (21 CFR Part 117) in effect on the date of the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, and as applicable to the production facility. 

10.2.2 PSA. A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS, or other audit performed by a third party 

auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the contract. 

The PSA verifies the manufacturer's capability to produce products in a clean, sanitary 

environment in accordance with CGMP (21 CFR Part 110) or the Current Good Manufacturing 

Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food (21 CFR Part 

117) in effect on the date of the solicitation, contract, or purchase order as applicable to the 

production facility, and verifies that the manufacturer has in place an internal quality assurance 

program. 

10.3 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor must certify that the syrup distributed meet or 

exceeds the requirements of this CID. The manufacturer/distributor must certify via a Certificate 

of Conformance or other adequate documentation (as specified by the purchaser) that the syrup 

meets the analytical requirements specified in Sec. 7 of this CID. 

10.4 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality and acceptability or both be determined, the USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division 

inspectors, must be the certifying program. SCI Division inspectors must certify the quality and 

acceptability of the syrup in accordance with SCI Division procedures, which include selecting 

random samples of the syrup, evaluating the samples for conformance with the salient 

characteristics and analytical requirements of this CID and other contractual requirements, and 

documenting the findings on official SCI Division score sheets and/or certificates. In addition, 

when required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, SCI Division inspectors will 

examine the syrup for conformance to the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 

CFR Part 42) in effect on the date of the solicitation. 

11. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking must be 

commercial unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 
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12. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Sec. 10.4 is specified in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, USDA certification must include evaluation of the quality and condition 

of samples of syrup and compliance with requirements in the following areas: 

 Processing guidelines (Sec. 5). 

 Salient characteristics (Sec. 6). 

 Analytical requirements when specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order

(Sec. 7). When USDA analytical testing is specified, SCI Division inspection personnel must 

select samples and submit them to the USDA, AMS, Science and Technology Program 

(S&TP) laboratory for analysis. 

 Packaging requirements (Sec. 11 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order). 

13. REFERENCE NOTES. 

13.1 USDA services. 

13.1.1 USDA certification. For USDA certification contact: Associate Director, Inspection 

Operations, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Room 1536 South Building, STOP 0240, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-2482, fax 

(202) 720-0393, or via E-mail: Nathaniel.Taylor@ams.usda.gov.

13.1.2 USDA FDSS, plant survey, and PSA. For a USDA FDSS, plant survey, and PSA 

contact the Chief, Auditing Services Branch, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Room 0711 

South Building, STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, 

telephone (202) 720-5021, fax (202) 260-8927, or via E-mail: fvaudits@ams.usda.gov.

13.1.3 Analytical testing and technical information. For USDA technical information on 

analytical testing, contact the Laboratory Approval and Testing Division, S&TP, AMS, 

USDA, STOP 0272, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0272, 

telephone (202) 690-0621 or via E-mail: KerryR.Smith@ams.usda.gov.

13.2 Sources of documents. 

13.2.1 Sources of information for nongovernmental documents are as follows:

Copies of the AOAC International OMA may be obtained from: AOAC International, 2275 

Research Boulevard, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850-3250, telephone (301) 924-7077. 

Internet address: http://www.aoac.org for nonmembers and http://www.eoma.aoac.org for 

members and AOAC OMA subscribers. 
A-A-20124E 

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Copies of the Food Chemicals Codex and U.S. Pharmacopeia may be purchased from: United 

States Pharmacopeia Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20877, 

telephone (800) 227-8772 or (301) 881-0666, Fax (301) 816-8148 or on the Internet at: 

http://www.usp.org.

Copies of the Visual Comparison for the U.S. Standards for Grades of Extracted Honey, Color 

Standards may be purchased from: X-Rite, 4300 44th Street, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, 

telephone (800) 248-9748 or (616) 803-2100, or on the Internet at: 

http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=914. 

13.2.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows:

Applicable provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers are contained in 7 

CFR Part 42, the National Organic Program are contained in 7 CFR Part 205, the Fair Packaging 

and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR Parts 500 to 503, and the Federal Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. These documents may be purchased from: 

Superintendent of Documents, New Orders, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. 

Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/ NOVUS, and American Express) purchases may 

be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on (866) 512-1800, (202) 512-1800. 

These documents may also be obtained free of charge on the Internet at: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.

Copies of Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance are available online from: FDA, Center for Food Safety and 

Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation

/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm.

Copies of U.S. standards and inspection instructions for fruits, vegetables, and other specialty 

products may be obtained from: USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division, 831 Mitten Road, Room 

200, Burlingame, CA 94010, telephone (650) 552-9073, fax (650) 552-9147, or via E-mail: 

depot@ams.usda.gov or on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/gradesstandards/how-purchase-equipment-and-visual-aids. 

Questions and comments on the U.S. standards and inspection instructions for fruits, vegetables, 

and other specialty products may be directed to: USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division, Riverside 

Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406-1016 or on 

the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards. 

Copies of this CID and the U. S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) are 

available from: Director, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Room 1536 South Building, 

STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0240, via E-mail: 
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CIDS@ams.usda.gov or on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/gradesstandards/cids and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title7-vol2/pdf/CFR-2015-

title7-vol2-part42.pdf.

Copies of this CID are also available online at: ASSIST Online (https://assist.dla.mil) or 

ASSIST Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil) or from the Standardization Documents 

Order Desk, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services, Building 4D, 700 

Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any data 

which may improve this document should be sent to: DLA Troop Support, ATTN: FTSA, 

700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092, or via E-mail: dscpsubsweb@dla.mil.

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITY: 

 Custodians DOJ - BOP 

 HHS - FDA 

 Army - GL USDA - SCP 

 Navy - SA VA - OSS 

 Air Force - 35 

 DLA - SS PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Review Activities DLA - SS 

 (Project No. 8925-2014-003) 

 Army - MD, QM 

 Navy - MC 

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency 

of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil. 

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations 

and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited 

from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, 

disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation 

for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 

complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American 

Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA 

through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to 

File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 

information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 

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D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.