UNSPSC 11121802: Cotton

UNSPSC 11121802 Cotton (Commodity) covers raw or processed cotton materials procured by state and local agencies. Recent state and local opportunities under this code reflect specialized agricultural uses: the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is soliciting cotton plugs—small braided cotton cylinders compressed and sealed with rayon thread—for use in exotic fruit fly detection and monitoring equipment. These plugs serve as absorbent carriers for liquid lures and pesticides in agricultural pest surveillance operations. The scope is narrow and performance-driven, with stringent specifications around plug dimensions, compression, structural integrity, and liquid absorption capacity. Issuing activity appears concentrated at the state agency level, with the CDFA as the primary buyer under this code in recent months.

California dominates recent activity, with two overlapping CDFA RFQ solicitations posted in September 2026. The first, P26-0126A issued September 8, 2026, requested 2 million cotton plugs with a September 18, 2026 response deadline; a second RFQ posted September 22, 2026 sought 250 cases (2 million plugs) with quotations due September 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PT and physical samples due October 9, 2026. Both solicitations required demonstration of two performance criteria—fit within Jackson trap bait hanger clips and absorption of 5 milliliters of liquid lure formulations (Methyl-eugenol and Cue-lure)—each weighted equally and requiring a 95 percent minimum passing threshold. The September 22 solicitation offered a 5 percent preference for California Certified Small Businesses, Non-Small Businesses with 25 percent certified small business subcontractor participation, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises. An addendum clarifying specifications and deadlines was issued September 22, 2026. Payment under the state's Prompt Payment Act runs 45 days from invoice receipt or goods acceptance, and all bidders must submit standard state certifications including recycled content and Darfur Contracting Act compliance.