UNSPSC 50403413: Karela cucumbers

The variety of cucumbers known as karela cucumbers

UNSPSC 50403413 Karela cucumbers, a Commodity code, represents a narrowly defined fresh produce item that state and local governments procure almost exclusively within bulk institutional food service operations. The recent opportunities show minimal direct solicitation for karela cucumbers alone; instead, the code appears in a broader purchasing pattern where state and local food service buyers source fresh vegetables as part of comprehensive produce contracts. Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) issues recurring solicitations for fresh fruit and vegetable supply to prison food warehouses; Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) contracts for food service groceries at state supported living centers; Illinois Department of Mental Health and Department of Corrections issue small-purchase and full IFB procurements for fresh produce deliveries; and school districts in Georgia (Bartow County, Bryan County, Dougherty County, Early County) and Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan) post sealed bids for fresh fruits and vegetables. These buying bodies typically specify produce items by common name (carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, onions, cucumbers) rather than by varietal subcategory such as karela; when karela is procured under this code, it likely appears as a line item within a larger fresh vegetable specification rather than as a sole-source solicitation.

Activity concentrates in Texas (TDCJ, HHSC, Head Start of Greater Dallas, City of San Antonio), with secondary activity in Georgia (multiple school districts, state procurement) and Illinois (state departments). Response dates cluster in August through October 2026, with school-year contracts typically opening in May through August for July start dates. Representative recent opportunities include the Texas TDCJ Fresh Fruit & Vegetables solicitations for Palestine (IW267376, due Oct 19, 2026) and Snyder Food Warehouse (IW267420, due Oct 14, 2026); the Illinois Department of Corrections bid for fresh produce at Joliet Treatment Center (27426DOCJOLIEB53849, IFB, due Sep 3, 2026) specifying cucumbers, onions, peppers, lettuce, and other fresh items; and Bartow County School System RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables (due Jun 22, 2026) sourced within 400 miles and emphasizing seasonal variety. Karela cucumbers, if pursued, would compete as one line item within multi-item produce contracts where cost, delivery reliability, quality compliance, and local-sourcing preferences typically drive award decisions. No specialized set-asides or preferences for this specific commodity appear in recent solicitations; institutional food service buyers evaluate on specification compliance, price competitiveness, and vendor delivery performance.