UNSPSC 50303628: Merlot grapes

The variety of wine grapes known as merlot grapes

UNSPSC 50303628 Merlot grapes is a Commodity code that does not appear to align with state and local government procurement activity. The recent opportunities in the source block show no purchase of merlot grapes or wine-grape varieties by any state or local issuing body. Instead, the recent activity under tags in this code family covers fresh produce for school nutrition programs, child and adult care food programs, senior services produce distribution, and correctional food service — spanning apples, bananas, berries, leafy greens, root vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes, dried fruits, and nuts across Georgia, Texas, Florida, Connecticut, Oregon, California, and other states. The solicitations name specific school districts (Savannah-Chatham County, Bulloch County, Henry County, Madison Metropolitan, Hillsborough County), school systems (McAllen ISD, Austin ISD, Early County, Dougherty County), regional cooperatives (GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 Georgia districts), a county correctional facility (Santa Clara County Sheriff Office), cities (Bridgeport, San Antonio, Meriden), and child care providers (City of Edinburg, Head Start of Greater Dallas, Bartow County School System). No state or local issuer has solicited merlot grapes specifically. The code appears to be a misclassification in state procurement systems; commodity codes in the agricultural produce family are widely used for fresh table fruits and vegetables, but wine grapes represent a specialty agricultural segment that does not appear in recent state or local RFP, RFQ, ITB, or IFB activity.

The mismatch between the nominal code definition and actual procurement activity indicates that vendors should not pursue opportunities tagged with this code based on the premise of supplying merlot grapes. School nutrition programs and institutional food service buyers procurement systems may incorrectly tag produce buys with agricultural commodity codes not matching the specific items requested, or the code may be dormant in state and local procurement altogether. To confirm whether merlot grape procurement occurs at the state or local level, review individual jurisdiction procurement portals directly or contact school district food and nutrition departments and city purchasing offices in relevant states; the source material provides no evidence of demand.