UNSPSC 50121538: Shelf stable fish

UNSPSC 50121538 Shelf stable fish, a Commodity code, covers canned and shelf-stable fish products procured by state and local governments for institutional food service, primarily school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, and public agency meal operations. State and local buyers source standardized products—chunk light tuna, albacore tuna, and pollock fish portions—that meet USDA grade and specification requirements, with vendors supplying direct-to-kitchen or warehouse delivery on firm fixed unit pricing. The work involves meeting rigid nutritional, food safety, and packaging standards (HACCP compliance, FDA/USDA certification, minimum shelf life, dolphin-safe certification where required) and submitting detailed product documentation including nutritional labels, ingredient lists, manufacture dates, and best-use dates. Issuing bodies include state departments of corrections and education, county and regional school boards, city school nutrition programs, and state procurement divisions acting on behalf of correctional and educational systems across multiple geographic service areas.

Recent solicitation activity spans Oregon, Georgia, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Texas. The Oregon Department of Corrections sought 2,880 cases of light-meat tuna in water (ITB S2910000017810, response due September 3, 2026) with a historical award of $35.78 per case to Robbins Sales and Oregon-resident and Oregon-fabricated preferences totaling up to 10%. The State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury solicited canned chunk light tuna (Bid #27DPP01339, due August 26, 2026) requiring detailed vendor certifications, prior-contract references, conflict-of-interest attestations, and collusion disclaimers. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, through the Comptroller's Statewide Procurement Division, issued IFB 304T-26-300CF for approximately 382 line items including pollock fish portions across five geographic distribution points (response deadline extended to May 4, 2026). Multiple Georgia school boards—Tattnall County, Effingham County, and Richmond County—posted grocery bids spanning school years 2026–2027 and 2026–2028 that included fish and seafood products as components of broader food procurement. Responses must navigate Buy American provisions, set-asides for local and minority-owned vendors in some jurisdictions, firm pricing with limited escalation clauses, and weekly or as-needed delivery to institutional kitchens and warehouses.