4-GDSN Registration Agreement Form.pdf

MRPC - GDSN (rev. 2025/9) GDSN Registration Agreement

RFP # 2026-04: Manufacturer Direct-to-District Commercial Released by: Multi-Region Purchasing Cooperative

GDSN Registration Agreement

1. GDSN Standards for Branded Products and Equivalents

The Purchaser has incorporated the standards and protocols of the Global Data Synchronization Network® (GDSN®) into this procurement. For branded products, the Purchaser may identify recommended and preferred products by their Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN), which by reference allows the bidding vendor to bid the exact specified product or offer an equal/comparable product.

2. Equivalent Products.

Per CFR Title 2 Chapter 2, Part 200 Subpart D Competition, procurement transactions must “Incorporate a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements for the material, product, or service to be procured. Such description must not, in competitive procurements, contain features which unduly restrict competition. The description may include a statement of the qualitative nature of the material, product, or service to be procured and, when necessary, must set forth those minimum essential characteristics and standards to which it must conform if it is to satisfy its intended use. Detailed product specifications should be avoided if possible. When it is impractical or uneconomical to make a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements, a “brand name or equivalent” description may be used to define the performance or other salient requirements of procurement.” (CFR 200.319)

4. Standards for Food Product Specifications as defined by FDA and USDA.

Regulations governing common names and quality indicators may be referenced by their Standard of Identity and/or common use of product names. These standards are set forth in FDA regulations and/or USDA Agricultural Market Service (AMS) regulations for Standards and Grading, both of which include detailed product specifications.

5. Nourish-to-Flourish Database.

The Purchaser has access to the Nourish-to-Flourish (N2F) database which is available at no cost to everyone and houses over 200K products that are linked to the GDSN. The database is updated weekly from the GDSN and allows the Purchaser to access nutrients, ingredients, allergens, nutrition fact panels, meal pattern contributions, and other details for a variety of products used by the child nutrition industry.

The Purchaser requires Vendors to publish their branded products to the N2F database utilizing the Global Location Number (GLN) 0860206001702.

Please refer to Nourish to Flourish Technical Requirements for GDSN for additional information on publishing to the Nourish to Flourish GLN.

6. Vendor Product Registration – All Branded Products.

The Purchaser requires vendors to provide GTIN’s (Global Trade Identification Numbers) in the bid response for all brand name products if available. All brand name products must be registered through the GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network). Single-ingredient foods such as fresh produce or raw meats will be held to the FDA and USDA Standards of Identity and are not required to be registered

MRPC - GDSN (rev. 2025/9) GDSN Registration Agreement through GDSN. For single-ingredient foods, the Vendor must provide a UPC (Universal Product Code) if available.

The Purchaser's “Standard Terms and Conditions” address the requirements of CFR 200.319 by adopting the industry wide standards for brand name product registration within the published procedures and protocols of the GDSN through the Global Standards website “GS1.”

Initials Upon notification of the award, the vendor agrees to the following statements below.

Vendor confirms all offered brand name products include the Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN).

Vendor confirms all offered brand name products not yet published to GDSN will be at the start of the bid award effective date and indicated as Buy American compliant.

Vendor confirms all offered brand name products not yet published to N2F database will be at the start of the bid award effective date.

Vendor Company Name Address: Street, City State Zip

Authorized Representative Name Printed Authorized Representative Email

Authorized Representative Phone

Authorized Representative Signature Date Signed