UNSPSC 50544400: Frozen non GMO mandarin oranges or tangerines

The type of non GMO fruit known as non GMO mandarin oranges or tangerines that have been frozen for preservation. 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 50544400 Frozen non-GMO mandarin oranges or tangerines is a Class code that covers whole frozen citrus fruit supplied to school districts and municipalities as part of broader school nutrition procurement. Recent state and local solicitations do not isolate this commodity as a standalone line item; instead, frozen mandarin oranges or tangerines appear as minor components within comprehensive grocery or produce bids that school districts issue to support National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program compliance. The Rockwood R-VI School District (Missouri), Bridgeport Board of Education (Connecticut), City Schools of Decatur (Georgia), Hancock County Board of Education (Georgia), and Early County Board of Education (Georgia) have all posted recent bids encompassing frozen fruits alongside hundreds of other line items—vegetables, proteins, dairy, and prepared foods—with vendors required to meet USDA Buy American provisions (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content), HACCP food safety plans, nutrition labeling standards, and whole-grain or low-sodium specifications. Issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and boards of education, with occasional municipal purchasing offices coordinating on behalf of school food services.

Recent activity concentrates heavily in Georgia, with secondary activity in Connecticut, Missouri, and Florida. Representative recent opportunities include the Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 (issued February 2026 for fresh produce and eggs across 30 school districts in two Georgia regions, with approximately $4.4 million estimated annual spend for Area One), the City Schools of Decatur IFB for frozen foods and grocery items (due May 15, 2026), Hancock County Board of Education IFB for fresh produce (due June 26, 2026), the City of Bridgeport RFQ for grocery items supporting the Board of Education (due June 30, 2026 with over 1,100 line items), and Rockwood R-VI School District grocery items bid (due April 29, 2026 with over 900 line items). All contracts run July 1 through June 30 on an annual cycle with firm pricing and no separate fuel surcharges; most require delivery Monday through Friday to multiple school sites and permit procurement offices to award to single or multiple vendors on a line-item basis. Vendors must carry general liability insurance ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence, comply with E-Verify and federal debarment certification, and accept orders through school ordering systems or attend public bid openings with sealed submissions.