UNSPSC 50525028: Non GMO navel oranges

The variety of non GMO oranges known as non GMO navel oranges. This means that they are produced without the use of methods that genetically modify organisms by means that are not possible under natural conditions. Such methods include cell fusion, microencapsulation and macro-encapsulation, and recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes when achieved by recombinant DNA technology).

Traditional methods of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro fertilization, or tissue culture are considered to be non-GMO.

UNSPSC 50525028 Non GMO navel oranges, a Commodity code, covers fresh citrus fruit procurement by state and local food service operators—school districts, county parks departments, health care coalitions, and other institutional buyers sourcing produce for meal programs, concessions, and retail food service. The work involves supplying fresh, unprocessed navel oranges to multiple delivery points, meeting ripeness and quality standards, maintaining cold-chain compliance, and adhering to food-safety documentation requirements including HACCP plans and traceability. Recent solicitations show school districts and county agencies procuring citrus as part of broader fresh-produce line items: Madison Metropolitan School District included fresh fruit in its USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program bid (RFB 4163, due July 29, 2026), Hancock County Board of Education solicited multiple apple and citrus varieties for the 2026-27 school year (IFB SN002-2027, due June 26, 2026), and Early County Board of Education requested fruits as part of a 300+ item food-service bid for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (IFB, due June 8, 2026). County parks and health care coalitions also appear as active buyers—Collier County Board of County Commissioners procured food concessions for North Collier Regional Park via ITN 258360 (due March 6, 2025), and Marion Health Care Coalition requested fresh produce for the 2026-2027 contract period (proposals due August 21, 2026).

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Wisconsin. Hancock County Board of Education (Sparta, Georgia), Bartow County School System (Cartersville, Georgia), and Early County Board of Education (Georgia) all posted fresh-produce bids in May and June 2026; Madison Metropolitan School District (Madison, Wisconsin) posted two fruit-and-vegetable solicitations on July 8, 2026 (both due July 29). These school-district buyers typically weight cost at 40%, supplier qualifications and compliance at 15–20%, and references or past performance at 10–15%, with evaluation criteria often including diverse-owned business status (5%), food-safety certification, HACCP documentation, delivery compliance, and geographic or local-sourcing preferences where applicable. Vendors must provide general liability insurance ($500,000 to $1,000,000 depending on jurisdiction), HACCP plans with 24/7 recall procedures, E-Verify authorization, and debarment verification. Delivery windows are tight—typically 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday—and minimum fill rates (98% common) with same-price substitution clauses are standard. Contract terms run the school fiscal year (September 1 through June 30) or calendar year, with pricing held firm for the term or subject to escalation only on documented USDA Agricultural Marketing Service index movement exceeding 3%.