UNSPSC 51461512: Hedera helix

This classification denotes a natural product which US FDA regulates as an active ingredient or moiety under Unique Ingredient Identifiers 3D10KUA6BM (base) and ZP9XFG71A7 (leaf), which the Integrated Taxonomic Information System classifies under Taxonomic Serial Number 29393 as a member of Kingdom Plantae, Subkingdom Viridaeplantae, Infrakingdom Streptophyta, Division Tracheophyta, Subdivision Spermatophytina, Infradivision Angiospermae, Class Magnoliopsida, Superorder Asteranae, Order Apiales, Family Araliaceae, Genus Hedera L. (ivy).

UNSPSC 51461512 Hedera helix is a Commodity code nominally referencing the English ivy plant, but recent state and local procurement activity under this code shows a marked mismatch: the single recent opportunity uses the code to procure generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter products rather than botanical materials. The Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (MMCAP), administered by the Minnesota Department of Administration's Office of State Procurement, issued an RFP in January 2026 to establish multiple contracts for generic pharmaceuticals and OTC products distributed across participating state and local government facilities, including Oregon. The procurement seeks pharmaceutical manufacturers to supply products through three authorized wholesalers (AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation/Cencora, Cardinal Health, and Morris & Dickson Co., LLC) with detailed National Drug Code (NDC), SKU, UPC, and product specification data; vendors must demonstrate cGMP compliance, Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) certification, contractual relationships with at least two of the three authorized wholesalers with chargeback systems in place, and pricing flexibility across flat price, net price (NF30, NF60, NF90), and WAC-minus formats. Insurance requirements include $5 million commercial general liability, $2 million network security and privacy liability, and $2 million professional liability per occurrence.

The code shows limited recent activity: only one posted opportunity appears in the source, and it is tagged to a code whose nominal scope (English ivy) bears no relation to the work actually solicited (pharmaceuticals and OTC products). The Minnesota RFP, due March 26, 2026, weights evaluation as follows: price competitiveness (75 percent), fixed pricing (10 percent), EDI capability (5 percent), administrative fee format compliance (5 percent), and agreement to a 3 percent administrative fee (5 percent). All products must be marketplace-available by May 15, 2026, with contract effectiveness July 1, 2026; the term is two years for new responders with optional extensions, or aligned with existing expiration dates through June 30, 2028 for incumbents. No specific set-aside designations or budget values appear in the solicitation materials. The code's current use by a multistate cooperative purchasing vehicle suggests activity concentrated in the upper Midwest, but the limited opportunity record and categorical mismatch between the code's nominal scope and actual procurement need warrant caution.