12-3J14-23-B-0183.pdf

Information Description: 12-3J14-23-B-0183 Bid invitation number: 2000009049 Purchasing Group: AMS-Fruit and Veg

United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. - Room 3522

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Room 3522-S, STOP 0239

Washington, DC 20036

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

Bid invitation Overview Bid Timezone: Central Time Start Date: 01/18/2023 08:00:00 Offer Due Date : 02/01/2023 15:00:00

Opening date: 02/01/2023 15:00:00

Invitation Type : Definite Delivery

Additional requested information:

Tendering text - Header :

Fresh Vegetables, SOLICITATION NO: 2000009049

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites offers to sell fresh vegetables pursuant to the AMS Master Solicitation for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Acceptances will be announced by midnight, February 15, 2023. Deliveries are to be made between April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023

The Contract Specialist handling this purchase will be, Claudius Price,(Claudius.l.Price@usda.gov) The Contract Officer handing this purchase will be David Jackson (DavidC.Jackson@usda.gov). Please contact the specialist first, with questions regarding the requirements of this solicitation. Do not discuss your bid prices with the specialist or contracting officer before award.

Questions regarding this solicitation can be submitted by email to Claudius.l.Price@usda.gov.

POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB is 100% Small Business Set-Aside

** For a new -to-USDA contractor and existing contractors who are bidding on new products, a probationary period may be implemented in which awards are limited to 10 truckloads per product.

Contractor must demonstrate successful delivery of at least five (5) truckloads of product in order to be removed from probationary status on future solicitations. For the purposes of this rule, successful delivery is defined as product delivered on-time and in acceptable condition according to the terms and conditions of the contract. Any delivery problems directly attributable to the Government will not be held against the contractor.**

The Quantity Tolerance section of the specification document, "Contractor will be allowed a tolerance on the final delivery of plus or minus 50 cases of each product, from each shipping point named in the purchase order", is not applicable to this solicitation. USDA will not pay for any cases exceeding the contracted quantity.

3. Pack and Size Requirement:

10/5 pound poly bags size A except, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum and contain at least 40 percent which are 2 ½ inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces in weight or more.

Inspection and Check-loading:

2. Inspection and certification of the fresh potatoes for this solicitation must be performed after final packaging and prior shipping using Shipping Point tolerances. The fresh potatoes will be Positive Lot Identified by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service. And, the fresh potatoes must be delivered to the final destination within seven calendar days of inspection and certification.

Vendors or subcontractors who are supplying fresh vegetable crops to the United States Department

Bid invitation number: 2000009049

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

Page 2 / 6 of Agriculture (USDA) must ensure that each of their suppliers/subcontractors who grow, harvest, pack, hold, and handle product have approved and current food safety verification audits PRIOR to the bid opening date of this solicitation. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) scopes which are necessary to meet the minimum requirement to be deemed responsive are as follows:

GAP - Farm Review AND Field Harvesting & Field Packing Activities GHP - House Packing Facility AND Storage & Transportation

All these requirements shall be met PRIOR to the bid opening date. The contractor shall deliver the product to the final destination within 3 days from the date of the inspection certificate. Inspection will be performed at origin, either on line or through inspection of the bagged product. The contractor shall ensure that the product fully meets the specification at final delivery.

The contractor shall deliver the product to the final destination within 3 days from the date of the inspection certificate. Inspection will be performed at origin, either on line or through inspection of the bagged product. The contractor shall ensure that the product fully meets the specification at final delivery.

Offerors who intend to use more than one processing plant and shipping point for contracts awarded under this solicitation, other than the processing plant and shipping point entered in their bids, may submit a list of their approved processing plants and shipping points on a separate sheet of paper to be uploaded in WBSCM, and to be submitted with their bids.

Brokers are exempt from the GAP/GHP requirements themselves, however its suppliers/subcontractors performing under the contract shall have the applicable USDA GAP/GHP certification(s).

Verification audits shall be performed by the USDA, AMS, SCP-SCID representatives only.

In order to verify that the contractor and/or its subcontractors/suppliers are in compliance with GAP/GHP certification, offerors are encouraged to submit GAP/GHP certificates for all scopes of the contract being performed and for all commodities being offered. Offerors shall submit a list of approved GAP/GHP suppliers and shipping points on a separate sheet of paper to be uploaded in WBSCM, and to be submitted with their bids.

Offerors who do not intend to perform the contracts awarded under this solicitation must submit a list of their approved subcontractors/suppliers on separate sheet of paper to be uploaded into WBSCM with their

GAP/GHP

certificates, and to be submitted with their bids.

Vendors or subcontractors who are supplying fresh vegetables are required to undergo and pass the USDA AMS SCP Specialty Crop Inspection Division (SCID) Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) verification audits, and must score at least 80% on each of the following

Bid invitation number: 2000009049

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

Page 3 / 6 scopes for each product being offered:

GAP - Farm Review AND Field Harvesting & Field Packing Activities GHP - House Packing Facility AND Storage & Transportation All these requirements must be met PRIOR to the bid opening date.

Brokers are exempt from the USDA GAP/GHP requirements themselves, HOWEVER suppliers/subcontractors performing under the contract must have the applicable USDA GAP/GHP certification(s). Verification audits shall be performed by the USDA, AMS, SCP-SCID representatives only.

In order to be found responsive the contractor and/or its subcontractors/suppliers must be compliance with USDA GAP/GHP certification. Offerors must include in their bid the GAP and GHP Audit Verification Document, which is found in the attachments section of this solicitation. Offerors who do not complete this document in its entirety, do not include the document as an attachment to their bid, or are missing the required USDA GAP/GHP scopes listed above must be deemed nonresponsive.

Inspection must be performed by SCI Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service only. Inspections under the Partners in Quality (PIQ) and Customer Assisted Inspection Program (CAIP) programs are not accepted for Commodity Procurement purchases.

All audits are valid for one year after the date the audit was conducted. More information on USDA GAP/GHP audits can be found here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp or by reaching out to scaudits@usda.gov

Awardees may ship and supply from any location found here:

https://apps.ams.usda.gov/GAPGHP/reportG01.aspx If USDA/AMS finds that suppliers used by the contractor are not in compliance with AMS GAP/GHP certification requirements after the product is delivered, the following courses of action will apply:

1. A cure notice shall be issued informing the contractor of their failure to comply with the required elements of this solicitation. The USDA will then deduct a 50% discount from the invoice for all noncompliant deliveries shipped or invoiced prior to the date listed on the cure notice.

2. If the contractor ships noncompliant product after the date of the cure notice:

a. USDA/AMS will deduct a 50% discount from the invoice for all noncompliant deliveries;

b. The contract will be terminated for cause; and

c. The contractor will be suspended from participating in all future USDA/AMS fresh fruit and vegetable solicitations for a period of one year from the date of contract termination.

This solicitation may show multiple stops on some line items; however, the number of stops will be limited to a maximum of three. To determine the number of destinations, review the "Tendering Text" for the lot, which will indicate the City and State for each stop. Bidders may submit different prices for each stop. However, a price is required on all line items within the lot.

For offshore destinations (Puerto Rico, Hawaii, etc.), offerors have the option to choose to enter their bids direct to the offshore destination or to the port.

Bid invitation number: 2000009049

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

Page 4 / 6

Purchases will be made on an f.o.b. destination basis to cities on this solicitation. Destination quantities listed are estimates and subject to adjustment based on offerings, changes in recipient needs, market conditions, and program operations.

All prime vendors are reminded that they are prohibited from subcontracting with companies or individuals that have been suspended or debarred.

Offers must be submitted electronically via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management System (WBSCM). Offers submitted by any means other than WBSCM will be deemed nonresponsive. Offerors must be active in WBSCM and have the required bidder roles in order to submit offers under this solicitation. Once connected, follow the online procedures. A "HELP" button provides detailed instructions or call (202) 720-4517 for assistance.

Offerors are cautioned to bid only quantities they can reasonably expect to produce and deliver.

Inquiries about the Master Solicitation dated Mach 2022; The Commodity Specification for Fresh Vegetables dated May 2019; or this solicitation should be directed to the Contracting Officer; USDA, AMS, Room 3522-South; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0239.

Telephone: (202) 720-4517. FAX: (202) 720-2782.

The USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), or (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

See attached documents:

1 . GAP and GHP Audit Verification Document

2 . Commodity Specification for Fresh Vegetables

3 . AMS MSCP-D Dated 3-1-22

Attributes :

OFFEROR CERTIFIES THAT THE OFFER IS MADE SUBJECT TO THE MASTER SOLICITATION;

COMMODITY SUPPLEMENT AND/OR SPECIFICATION(S); THIS SOLICITATION; THE AGRICULTURE

ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (AGAR) AND THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR).

Timely performance: Offeror and any subcontractor have completed required performance of any

Bid invitation number: 2000009049

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

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USDA contract prior to this bid opening.

Permitted values: - Have been delivered

- Have not been delivered

- Have not been delivered, but the Offeror has notified the Contracting Officer

- There are no existing contracts/purchase orders

OFFEROR REQUESTS HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS PRICE EVALUATION PREFERENCE. APPLIES

ONLY TO FIRMS CERTIFIED IN THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION#S HUBZONE PROGRAM

(FAR SUBPART 19.13).MUST BE THE MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER OF THE PRODUCT TO RECEIVE

A PRICE PREFERENCE

Furnish name, title, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of person submitting this bid (must be an officer of the company or a person authorized to execute contracts/purchase orders on behalf of the bidder).

1A) Offeror certifies that the information submitted in GS1 GDSN will be kept up-to-date (to reflect changes in product attributes, such as changes to the ingredient or allergen statement) until the end of the contract period.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/GS1_GDSN_ListofRequiredProducts.xlsx.

Offeror certifies that complete and accurate product information will be submitted to GS1 GDSN no later 20 days after contract award, if the awarded contract includes item(s) from the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN reporting.

1C) Offeror certifies that the information submitted in GS1 GDSN will be kept up-to-date (to reflect changes in product attributes, such as changes to the ingredient or allergen statement) until the end of the contract period.

Offeror acknowledges receipt of the amendment(s) to the solicitation. Select N/A if no amendment was issued to the solicitation.

Permitted values: - Yes

- No

- N/A

Bid invitation Item details Item Material Description Required by ZipCode Quantity

10 VEGETABLE, FRESH

20 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB

30 SAN DIEGO CA

40 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 05/29/2023-05/31/2023 92121

800.000

CS

50 SAVANNAH GA

60 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/03/2023-04/05/2023 31404 CS

Bid invitation number: 2000009049

SOLICITATION

Domestic Commodity Invitation

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Item Material Description Required by ZipCode Quantity

800.000

70 ALEXANDRIA LA

80 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 05/15/2023-05/17/2023 71301

800.000

CS

90 NEW ORLEANS LA

100 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 06/19/2023-06/21/2023 70123

800.000

CS

110 LOT: 44024127 BOSTON MA / HATFIELD MA...

Tendering text - Item : LOT: 44024127 BOSTON MA / HATFIELD MA /

SHREWSBURY MA /

120 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/17/2023-04/19/2023 02118

400.000

CS

130 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/17/2023-04/19/2023 01038

200.000

CS

140 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/17/2023-04/19/2023 01545

200.000

CS

150 LOT: 300545693 BOSTON MA / HATFIELD M...

Tendering text - Item : LOT: 300545693 BOSTON MA / HATFIELD MA /

SHREWSBURY MA /

160 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 05/22/2023-05/24/2023 02118

400.000

CS

170 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 05/22/2023-05/24/2023 01038

200.000

CS

180 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 05/22/2023-05/24/2023 01545

200.000

CS

190 LOT: 782327067 LAFAYETTE LA / NEW ORL...

Tendering text - Item : LOT: 782327067 LAFAYETTE LA / NEW ORLEANS LA /

200 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/10/2023-04/12/2023 70505

400.000

CS

210 101017 POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 04/10/2023-04/12/2023 70123

400.000

CS

Total Quantity for POTATOES RUSSET FRESH BAG-10/5 LB 5,600.000

CS

Total Quantity for Invitation 5,600.000

CS