12-3J14-23-B-0584.pdf

Information Description: 12-3J14-23-B-0584 Bid invitation number: 2000009562 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

Master/Shortfall Invitation

Bid invitation Overview Bid Timezone: Central Time Start Date: 08/30/2023 17:05:00 Offer Due Date : 09/07/2023 15:00:00

Opening date: 09/07/2023 15:00:00

Invitation Type : Master

Additional requested information:

Tendering text - Header :

CANNED VEGETABLES, SOLICITATION NO: 2000009562

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests offers to sell Canned Vegetable Products pursuant to the attached Invitation for Bids (IFB) solicitation document for use in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Awards will be announced by Midnight, September 15, 2023. Deliveries are to be made between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024.

There is a probationary period for new-to-AMS contractors and existing contractors bidding on new products in which awards are limited to 10 truckloads per product. Contractor must demonstrate successful delivery of at least five (5) truckloads of [new] 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.

Suppliers of food purchase programs administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for awards made beginning July 1, 2023 will no longer be required to use high security seals on trucks, railcars, vessels and other transports when transporting food products purchased to support those programs; traceable tamper evident flat metal, wire or plastic commercial security seals will be permissible.

The incorporated terms of any subsequent contract and obligations for both the awardee and Government can be found in:

1) The tendering text of this solicitation

2) The AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement # Domestic Programs, often referred to as the #MSCP# (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM)

3) The applicable Commodity Specification Documents (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM)

4) Vegetable Invitation for Bids (IFB) IDIQ.docx (attached to this solicitation in WBSCM)

SOLICITATION-SPECIFIC DETAILS

All offerors should reference the Vegetable Invitation for Bids (IFB) IDIQ 2000009562 document attached to the solicitation for more information.

Products grown and packed in crop year 2023 on wards will be accepted for this solicitation. Canned products will be accepted for up to 18 months from date of inspection.

Bid invitation number: 2000009562

SOLICITATION

Master/Shortfall Invitation

Page 2 / 4

Offerors will submit a unit price in WBSCM, for delivery to each state, inclusive of all costs associated through final delivery. A price is required for every state and all state prices must be determined fair and reasonable for a bid to be determined responsible.

* * Updated Kosher Certification Requirements**

The following materials must be produced and packed in a Kosher certified facility and must contain one of the Kosher Symbols in Exhibit 8.1 of the Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables, January 2023.

100311- CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN- 24/300

*****The USDA INTENDS TO PURCHASE A MINIMUM OF 350; MAXIMUM 400 TRUCKLOADS*****

Offerors are cautioned to bid only quantities they can reasonably expect to produce and deliver by the required NLT dates.

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 proposals. 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.

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 instructions or call (202) 720-4517 for assistance. Inquiries about the Master Solicitation dated April 5, 2023; Commodity Specifications for Canned Vegetables dated January 2023; 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

Bid invitation number: 2000009562

SOLICITATION

Master/Shortfall Invitation

Page 3 / 4 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), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

See attached documents:

1 . Vendor Specification Template

2 . MSCP-D 4-5-2023

3 . Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables January 2023

4 . Invitation For Bid (IFB)

5 . Exhibit 2- Estimates Based on Anticipated Demand

6 . Part B Schedule

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:

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

Bid invitation number: 2000009562

SOLICITATION

Master/Shortfall Invitation

Page 4 / 4 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 (Comment: Yes)

- NO (Comment: No)

- N/A (Comment: N/A)

Bid invitation Item details Item Material Description Quantity

10 VEGETABLE, CANNED

20 100311 CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300

612,004.752

CS

Total Quantity for CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300 612,004.752

CS

Total Quantity for Invitation 612,004.752

CS