UNSPSC 50121707: Shelf stable aquatic invertebrates

UNSPSC 50121707 Shelf stable aquatic invertebrates is a Commodity code that encompasses frozen fish and seafood products purchased by state and local governments primarily for school nutrition programs. State and local solicitations under this code reflect demand for shelf-stable, ready-to-serve aquatic protein items—notably frozen pollock portions, frozen fish products, and similar prepared seafood—bundled within broader food procurement for child nutrition services. School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with state departments and regional school cooperatives appearing as secondary participants. Procurement is organized most commonly through IFB and RFQ notices, with sealed-bid processes standard across school systems. Products must meet USDA Child Nutrition program standards including grade requirements (typically Grade A or Grade B), portion-size specifications, sodium and fat content limits, and whole-grain enrichment mandates where applicable. Vendors compete on firm fixed unit pricing with delivery integrated into broader food supply contracts, and multiple vendors frequently win line-item awards within a single solicitation.

Activity concentrates heavily in Georgia, where recent solicitations from Tattnall County Board of Education (IFB due July 22, 2026), Effingham County Board of Education (IFB due June 1, 2026), Houston County School District (ITB due April 17, 2026, valued at approximately $14 million annually), Lamar County School District (IFB due May 20, 2026), and Douglas County School System (RFP due February 18, 2026, estimated $9 million annually) all include frozen seafood line items. Texas procurement through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (IFB 304T-26-300CF due May 4, 2026) similarly specified pollock fish portions alongside broader protein categories. Connecticut's New Haven Public Schools (RFP due June 16, 2026, serving approximately 17,500 to 19,000 meals daily) included frozen fish in commodity categories. Missouri's Rockwood R-VI School District (electronic bid due April 29, 2026, serving approximately 7,800 daily participants) and Georgia's State of Georgia general food IFB (due June 1, 2026) round out the geographic footprint. Buy American requirements and domestic-content mandates (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content) appear consistently, and school districts enforce strict delivery windows, temperature compliance, and defect-replacement warranties. This code remains moderately active in state and local procurement, concentrated in education-sector nutrition programs with seasonal variability aligned to academic calendars.