UNSPSC 50403902: Bitter gourd

The variety of gourds known as bitter gourd

UNSPSC 50403902 Bitter gourd, a Commodity code, encompasses fresh produce supply to state and local institutional food service operations—primarily correctional facilities, mental health centers, state-supported living centers, school districts, and senior services. Recent solicitations show state and local governments procuring bitter gourd as part of broader fresh vegetable and produce contracts that supply cafeteria, dining, and canteen operations. The code sits within a larger ecosystem of fresh produce procurement where jurisdictions source multiple vegetable types, often bundled with fruits, proteins, and prepared foods to meet USDA nutrition standards and institutional meal requirements. Issuing bodies include state departments of criminal justice, health and human services commissions, school nutrition programs, county boards of education, city senior services divisions, and special-purpose health coalitions. Texas agencies—the Department of Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services Commission, and multiple school districts—dominate recent activity, supplemented by Georgia school systems, Illinois state agencies, and Florida county governments. Work solicited under the code reflects institutional procurement patterns: multi-week delivery cycles, F.O.B. Destination pricing with vendor-borne freight, firm fixed pricing for contract terms typically running one fiscal or calendar year with optional renewals, quality and food-safety compliance requirements including HACCP protocols and USDA grading, and traceability documentation tied to farm of origin when applicable.

Recent representative opportunities illustrate the scope: the Texas Department of Criminal Justice solicited fresh fruit and vegetables for Wynne Food Warehouse (IW267411, due October 14, 2026) and Snyder Food Warehouse (IW267420, due October 14, 2026) via RFP through its Bonfire portal; the Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued an IFB for consumables and food service items for Lufkin State Supported Living Center (HHS0018082, due October 23, 2026), encompassing prepared foods and supplies delivered within seven days; Collier County, Florida, sought food services vendors for North Collier Regional Park concessions via Invitation to Negotiate (ITN 258360, proposals due March 6, 2025), offering a 10-point local-vendor preference; the Illinois Department of Corrections requested quotes for fresh produce delivery to Joliet Treatment Center (27426DOCJOLIEB53849, due September 3, 2026) with a small-business set-aside; Madison Metropolitan School District bid fresh fruit and vegetable snacks under RFB 4163 (due July 29, 2026) with a Wisconsin-local sourcing requirement and 5 percent diversity preference; and Bartow County Schools, Georgia, sought local fresh fruits and vegetables via RFP (10-2026-019, due June 22, 2026) with a 400-mile geographic sourcing radius and scoring emphasis on seasonal variety and local availability. Geographic concentration is strongest in Texas (TDCJ, HHS-supported living centers), followed by Georgia school systems and Illinois state agencies, with scattered activity in Florida, Wisconsin, and elsewhere. Set-asides appear frequently—small-business designations, minority/woman-owned enterprise preferences (typically 5 percent scoring or price adjustment), and local-sourcing mandates (400-mile or state-level geofences)—making diversity certification and geographic documentation critical qualification factors for participation.