UNSPSC 50171500: Herbs and spices and extracts

UNSPSC 50171500 Herbs and spices and extracts is a Class code under which state and local governments procure shelf-stable food products including seasonings, condiments, sauces, proteins, grains, and other staple grocery items for institutional feeding operations — primarily correctional facilities, state supported living centers, senior services programs, and healthcare institutions. The recent opportunities show that the code encompasses broad food service procurement rather than herbs and spices in isolation; vendors responding to these solicitations supply comprehensive meal-support items on firm, fixed-price contracts with delivery to multiple institutional locations, often under IFB notices with mandatory pre-bid conferences, detailed specification sheets, and multi-year renewal options. Issuing bodies include state departments of corrections, health and human services commissions, senior services agencies, and state purchasing divisions acting on behalf of multiple state institutions. Evaluation focuses on specification compliance, delivery performance, past vendor performance tracking, and price; many solicitations permit no substitutions or require "brand-specific or approved equivalent" compliance with detailed USDA grading and food safety standards.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Missouri, and Illinois. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued multiple IFBs in June and August 2026 for food and consumable products serving state supported living centers statewide, with historical values ranging from $160,500 to $1.5 million annually and contract terms running September 1 through August 31 with renewal options. The Missouri Department of Corrections issued IFB ER234R6034 (due July 9, 2026) for a one-time purchase to supply nineteen correctional facilities, including 417 cases of lemon pepper seasoning; Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in Georgia requested informal written quotes (IWQ) on October 13, 2026 for approximately 1,062 cases of food items for senior services, with delivery required by December 7, 2026; and the State of Illinois solicited bids on June 18, 2026 for a quarterly weekly food order under FY-27 IVHQ. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice procured cafeteria food products across five warehouse locations with responses due May 4, 2026. Vendors must register in state procurement systems, maintain commercial general liability insurance, certify compliance with federal food safety and USDA standards, and respond within the Q&A and submission windows — typically fourteen to thirty days from posting.