C5_Combined Synopsis_Solicitation_Revised 10 Apr 2026.docx

Description -

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 1232SA26Q0468 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for The procurement of a Wintersteiger Plot Combine.

This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 333111 The small business size standard is 1,250 Employees This acquisition is an unrestricted requirement. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions. Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

The following clauses are mandatory in all solicitations and contracts - Do not delete these.

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

The following clauses are applicable if checked: You can either leave all clauses and check the boxes of the ones that apply or delete the clauses that do not apply. If you delete lines, you will need to right-click on the box and select “remove content control” before it will delete.

☐ Alternate I (Mar 2020).

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9.

☐ Alternate IV (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35 ☐ 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36

This Statement is for Information Only:

It is not a Wage Determination Employee Class Monetary Wage -- Fringe Benefits

☐ Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9

☐ Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3 ☐ 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1 ☐ 52.225-3 Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate II (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3

☐ Alternate I (Apr 2023) of 52.247-64.

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64

Other Applicable Clauses

AGAR Clauses

452.222-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec 2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to Contractor’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the Contractor to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) The Contractor must include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations.

(g) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of Clause)

452.211-74 Delivery Instructions - Commodity Procurement As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(1) and (b)(1), insert the following clause:

452.211-74 Delivery Instructions - Commodity Procurement (Sep 2025)

The Government will issue electronic purchase orders in WBSCM and notify the contractor via email. The contractor must ensure it can receive emails during the contract and maintain an accurate email address on file. The Government is not responsible for email receipt failures due to contractor equipment or software issues. The Government reserves the right to also issue Purchase Orders by alternative methods, including fax or regular mail.

(End of clause)

452.211-75 Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) and Unloading Appointment As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(2), insert the following clause:

452.211-75 Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) and Unloading Appointment (Sep 2025)

(a) The Contractor shall enter a WBSCM advanced shipment notice (ASN) on or before the shipment date. Contractors are encouraged to create the ASN as soon as a delivery appointment is scheduled, but no less than 24 hours beforehand. Accurate information must be provided in the ASN, which alerts the recipient agency of the shipment. Advanced shipment notices shall include:

Shipper’s name

Commodity

Sales Order or Requisition Number (SO or RN)

Units per (SO or RN)

Destination

Purchase Order Number

Ship date

Mode of transportation. If truck, anticipated date of arrival.

Note: USDA has provided an excel template in a comma delimited (csv) format that allows the Contractor to upload purchase order line items that will create multiple ASNs.

(b) Creating the ASN does not exempt the Contractor or subcontractor from securing an unloading appointment, which is mandatory for all deliveries.

(c) Delivery appointments shall be scheduled as far in advance of expected delivery as possible, but not less than 72 hours prior to delivery by contacting a responsible representative at the applicable Purchase Order Item’s Ship-to-Address for an unload appointment. Reference the Purchase Order (PO) Number, PO Item Number, and when provided, the Sales Order (SO) Number and SO Item Number for which the appointment is being scheduled. The contractor is fully responsible for any issues caused by failing to schedule or being late for appointments.

(d) The Contractor may deliver early if the recipient agency agrees to accept early delivery, there is no additional cost to the Government, and upon AMS personnel being available to perform any necessary check loading and acceptance requirements, if applicable.

(End of clause)

452.211-76 Regulatory Requirements for Commodities and Packaging - Domestic As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(3), insert the following clause:

452.211-76 Regulatory Requirements for Commodities and Packaging - Domestic Purchases (Sep 2025)

(a) The commodity shall conform to the applicable provisions of the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" (21 U.S.C. 301 et. seq.), as amended, and the relevant regulations, including applicable Food Safety Modernization Act regulations (FSMA), and sections in the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act). The contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations related to its performance under this contract.

(b) All containers and packaging materials must meet FDA requirements for safe contact with food. The contractor must maintain documentation from the manufacturer to verify compliance with these requirements. Packaging and container materials from foreign countries shall not display country of origin labeling, such as "Made in [Foreign Country]" or "Product of [Foreign Country]."

(c) All containers and packaging materials must comply with Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG) model legislation. The combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury, and/or hexavalent chromium must not exceed 100 parts per million. Concentration levels should be determined using American Standard of Testing Materials test methods, as revised or Environmental Protection Agency test methods for evaluating solid waste, S-W 846, as revised.

(End of clause)

452.211-77 Commodity/Packaging Labeling Requirements As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(4), insert the following clause:

452.211-77 Commodity/Packaging Labeling Requirements (Sep 2025)

(a) USDA Foods products must comply with all applicable FDA labeling requirements: https://www.fda.gov/media/81606/download and any additional features outlined in USDA Product Specifications & Requirements: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs.

Any deviations from the labeling requirements in this section must be approved by the Contracting Officer, in writing, prior to start of production.

Primary packaging labels or shipping containers with missing or incorrect information must be corrected before the product can be shipped.

(b) PRIMARY PACKAGING (Immediate Container):

FDA/USDA defines minimum label information on primary packaging:

i. Company name

ii. Company/Plant location or FSIS establishment number.

iii. Food item

iv. Ingredient list

v. Allergen statement, as applicable

vi. Nutrition Facts Panel (except for foodservice pack products)

vii. Traceability code (see below)

viii. Cooking/heating/handling instructions, as applicable

Commercial labels must be the processor’s own retail label (e.g., commercially available off-the-shelf). Distributors’ labels are not allowed. If the vendor lacks a retail/consumer sales label, refer to the minimum color requirements, exclusive of the package color, in the commodity specifications. For products where the primary container hides the product, the label shall provide a visual representation of the food.

Traceable Product Codes. Labeling and packaging shall meet all FDA and USDA requirements and include a traceable product code for recalls. The identification system must distinguish products made for USDA contracts from non-USDA products if the same commercial label is used for both.

Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen statements. Consumer and individual sized containers must include a Nutrition Facts Panel, ingredients, and allergen statement. The ingredient statement must be listed separately from the name of the product, even for single-ingredient foods (e.g., Ingredients: ___). The allergen statement must comply with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act (FASTER Act) which define milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains:_____ .

Reporting Product Information to GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). Contractors are required to report product information to GS1’s GDSN for a select number of items purchased for the National School Lunch Program. The items that must be reported to GS1 GDSN are in the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting, found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/gs1-gdsn-overview. Contractors must report product information to GS1 GDSN within 20 days of receiving a contract award, if the contract includes items on the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting.

Note: USDA may request nutrition information, ingredient and allergen statements, and Child Nutrition Program crediting information for USDA Foods products that are not on the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting. Contractors must provide this information through branded product information sheets, product brochures, or label images upon request.

(d) SHIPPING CONTAINERS:

Shipping containers/carton labels must include:

i. USDA Material code

ii. Purchase order number

iii. Company name

iv. Company/Plant location or FSIS establishment number

v. Food item

vi. Ingredient list

vii. Allergen statement, as applicable

viii. Nutrition Facts Panel (foodservice pack products only)

ix. Traceability code

x. UPC symbol/code (see below)

xi. USDA Shield, when applicable

Labeling and marking information must be water-fast, non-smearing, of a contrasting color, clear and readable.

Information shall be preprinted, stamped, stenciled, or applied with a self-adhesive label on each shipping container. Refer to specification documents for sample layouts.

Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen statements must be included on shipping containers when not required on the primary package. The ingredient statement must be listed separately from the name of the product, even for single-ingredient foods (e.g., Ingredients: ___). The allergen statement must comply with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act (FASTER Act) which define milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame as well as any food ingredient that contains protein derived from one of these foods, with the exception of highly refined oils, as “major food allergens.”; e.g. Contains:

UPC symbols/codes:

i. The UPC, symbol and code, called Interleaved 2 of 5 (I 2/5), must appear on each shipping container. The complete code, including the check digit, must be printed in machine and human-readable form. The start and stop indicators will be included in the bar codes. Printing, readability, and scanability of the bar code must be in accordance with UPC guidelines published by:

GS1 US Corporate Headquarters

Princeton Pike Corporate Center

1009 Lenox Drive, Suite 202

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: 609.620.0200 https://www.gs1us.org/what-we-do/about-gs1-us

ii. USDA will provide unique processor identification codes for commodity contracts. This applies only to non-manufacturers of fruit and vegetable products without a corresponding commercial retail product.

(f) Obliteration of Markings. The contractor shall prevent the appearance of these containers in commercial channels. Containers bearing Government contract markings, filled or unfilled, may cause the Government to incur expense in determining whether commodities have been diverted from authorized use and in answering inquiries. In cases of rejected products, overruns, or misprints, the contractor must obliterate official USDA markings that identify the container as part of a Government contract.

(g) Inventory Control Information. The processor may add inventory control information (including barcodes) on the shipping container, provided it does not cover or conflict with labeling requirements.

(End of clause)

452.211-78 Compensation for Delays in Delivery As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(5) and (b)(2), insert the following clause:

452.211-78 Compensation for Delays in Delivery (Sep 2025)

(a) If the Contractor cannot meet the Not-Later-Than (NLT) delivery date, they shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately. If the delay is beyond the Contractor's control, they must request an extension at least three business days before the NLT date. Failure to submit the request or denial of the extension request will result in liquidated damages per FAR clause 52.211-11. Extension requests submitted after the NLT date or delay requests due to weekends/Federal holidays will not be accepted. The request shall include the following information:

Applicable, identifiable contract and contract line-item information;

Documentation evidencing the event and how that event is beyond the control or negligence of the Contractor;

Estimated delivery dates that the product will be delivered; and

Any additional information requested by the contracting officer.

(b) If a Contractor's product is rejected, they must deliver an acceptable replacement by the NLT delivery date to avoid liquidated damages. If the replacement arrives after the NLT delivery date, liquidated damages will be assessed.

(c) When deliveries are made by contract carrier or vendor’s own vehicle, the date shown on the signed commercial bill of lading will be considered the date of delivery.

(End of clause)

452.211-79 Unitization Requirements As prescribed in 411.301-71 (a)(6), insert the following clause:

452.211-79 Unitization Requirements (Sep 2025)

(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Government, all shipments of packaged products shall be unitized (palletized and stretch wrapped).

Pallets shall be:

i. Constructed to facilitate the safe handling and transportation of the packaged product, as a unit, without loss or damage.

ii. A Number 2, four-way, reversible flush stringer with no broken runners or slats.

iii. Suitable for use in the shipment of food products.

Plastic stretch wrap shall be:

i. Constructed of a plastic film which is to be stretched a minimum of 50 percent beyond its original length when stretched around the pallet load.

ii. Applied as tightly as possible around all tiers of the palletized shipping containers. The shipping containers shall be held firmly in place by the stretch wrap.

Pallet loads shall be:

i. Stacked in such a way as to minimize the amount that shipping containers overhang the edges of pallets.

ii. Blocked and braced or otherwise loaded into the conveyance in a manner that prevents shifting during transit.

If pallet exchange is desired, the contractor shall arrange for pallet exchange with consignees. USDA is in no way responsible for arrangement of pallet exchange.

(End of clause)

452.222-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec 2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to Contractor’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the Contractor to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) The Contractor must include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations.

(g) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of Clause)

452.225-70 U.S. Origin Products – Domestic and International As prescribed in AGAR 425.601-70 (a), insert the following clause:

452.225-70 U.S. Origin Products – Domestic and International (Dec 2025)

(a) The products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of the United States and shall be considered to be such a product if it is grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States (See AGAR 470.103). Ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be utilized as a United States product if such ingredients are not otherwise:

Produced in the United States; and Commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices from domestic sources.

(b) All meat shall originate from livestock that are born, raised, and harvested in the United States.

(c) If the Contractor processes or handles products originating from sources other than the United States, the Contractor must have an acceptable identification and segregation plan for those products to ensure they are not used in commodities purchased under this contract—except for commingled products (see paragraph (d)). This plan must be made available to an AMS representative and the Contracting Officer or agent thereof upon request. The Contractor must ensure that the Contractor and any subcontractor(s) maintain records such as invoices, or production and inventory records evidencing product origin, and make such records available for review by the Government in accordance with FAR 52.214-26.

(d) For commodities that the Department has determined to be generally commingled, a commingled product shall be considered to be a product of the United States if the offeror can establish that the offeror has in inventory at the time the contract for the commodity or product is awarded to the offeror, or obtains during the contract performance period specified in the solicitation, or a combination thereof, a sufficient quantity of the commodity or product that was produced in the United States to fulfill the contract being awarded, and all unfulfilled contracts that the offeror entered into to provide such commingled product to the United States. However, if the commodity can be readily stored on an identity preserved basis with respect to its country of origin, the Government may require that the commodity acquired under this contract be of 100 percent U.S. origin.

(e) The Contractor agrees to include this domestic origin certification clause in all subcontracts for products used in fulfilling contracts awarded under this Master Solicitation. The burden of proof of compliance is on the Contractor.

(f) FAR clause 52.225-5, Trade Agreements incorporated by reference in FAR clause 52.252-2 applies only to packaging and container components. Agricultural commodities and their products are exempt from 52.225-5.

(g)The Government has determined that the following commodities shall be 100 percent U.S. origin and provided on an identity preserved basis:

Dry beans, peas, and lentils.

(End of Clause)

452.246-71 Manufacturing Practices As prescribed in 446.370(b), insert the following clause:

Manufacturing Practices (Oct 2025)

(a) Current Good Manufacturing Practices. All processed fruit and vegetables must be produced in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (21 C.F.R., Part 110 and/or Part 117), whichever is applicable at the time of manufacture.

(b) Plant Survey or Plant Systems Audit (PSA) Successful bidders/offerors are required to undergo and pass an annual plant survey or PSA. The primary purpose of a plant survey or PSA is to ensure that products are produced in a clean, sanitary environment and verify that Federal requirements are met. Contractors are required to maintain process operations records that are sufficiently detailed as to allow AMS, Specialty Crop Program, and Specialty Crop Inspection Division (SCID), to determine past and current sanitation practices.

The AMS, Specialty Crop Program, SCID, will conduct the plant surveys/PSA. SCID personnel will follow the procedures found in the most current version of SCID AIM, Sanitation and Safety Manual, or the most current version of SCID AIM, Plant Systems Audit Manual.

Contractors must provide the Contracting Officer with a copy of an acceptable completed plant survey/PSA. An acceptable plant survey/PSA will be valid for one year.

Contractors who have a SCID in-plant contract service agreement will be considered as having met the plant survey/PSA requirement, since a plant survey/PSA is a prerequisite to a contract service agreement. Similarly, Contractors who have completed a SCID plant survey/PSA for any other purpose within one year of award will also be deemed to have satisfied this requirement.

The plant survey/PSA must be completed and approved prior to the bid opening/solicitation close date and maintained throughout the length of the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor and/or subcontractor to schedule the audit in a timely manner to ensure it has been completed and approved prior to the bid opening/solicitation close date. Offerors who submit a bid/offer with a processing plant and/or shipping point that are not in compliance with this requirement will be deemed non-responsive for that processing plant and/or shipping point.

(End of Clause)

452.246-73 FDA Food Facility Registration Number As prescribed in 446.370(c), insert the following clause:

452.246-73 FDA Food Facility Registration Number (Oct 2025) In accordance with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, domestic facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States are required to register with the FDA, and the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA) requires additional information for facilities to renew such registrations. If applicable, provide your FDA food facility registration number. FDA guidance is available at: https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FoodFacilityRegistration/ucm2006831.htm (End of clause) 452.247-70 Loading, Blocking, and Bracing for Multiple Delivery Points on One Conveyance – Domestic As prescribed in 447.101-70 (a)(1), insert the following clause:

452.247-70 Loading, Blocking, and Bracing for Multiple Delivery Points (drops) on One Conveyance – Domestic (Oct 2025) When a shipment has multiple delivery points (drops), contractor must load and brace the conveyance for accurate and economical unloading, e.g. load and brace truck trailers in reverse order of delivery.

(End of clause) 452.247-71 Special Instructions for Shipments to Puerto Rico – Domestic As prescribed in 447.101-70 (a)(2), insert the following clause:

452.247-71 Special Instructions for Shipments to Puerto Rico (Oct 2025) – Domestic All deliveries to Puerto Rico must cite on the Bill of Lading and Ocean Transportation manifest the applicable Recipient Agency Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Merchant Registration Number. Successful awardee will be responsible for contacting the contracting officer’s representative to obtain the appropriate tax identification number.

(End of clause) 452.247-72 Bill of Lading Notations – Domestic As prescribed in 447.101-70 (a)(3), insert the following clause:

452.247-72 Bill of Lading Notations – Domestic (Oct 2025) Contractor shall ensure before shipment is made that the commercial shipping documents are annotated with the following notations, as appropriate:

Shipper Name and Shipment Origin Address USDA Contractor Name, if different than shipper Purchase Order Number and Item Number When provided, Sales Order Number and Item Number or Purchase Requisition and Item Number Consignee: Purchase Order Item’s Goods Recipient Name c/o Purchase Order Item’s Ship-to Name and Address Number and Type of Units, Net Weight, and Material Description Statement: “For USDA FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS Manufacturer’s Lot Code/Lot Identification Number Serial Number(s) of Tamper Evident Seals Applied Note: When multiple Purchase Order Items are shipped in one conveyance, show the applicable information for each Purchase Order Item.

(End of clause)

452.247-73 Seals on Transportation Conveyances As prescribed in 447.101-70 (a)(4) and (b)(1), insert the following clause:

452.247-73 Seals on Transportation Conveyances (Oct 2025) (a)Contractors, under the supervision of a USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) certification agent, when applicable, shall be responsible for placing a seal(s) on all cargo doors of each transportation conveyance upon completion of loading, partial unloading, inspection, or servicing.

(b) Seals must meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard, (F-1157-04, and/or the International Organization for Standards (ISO) 17712-2013. Contractors shall use traceable, tamper-evident commercial seals (ex. flat metal, wire, plastic, etc.) or high security seals (high security bolt, barrier-type, or equivalent device which can only be removed by bolt cutter type tools). Seals shall be sequentially numbered. The contractor or its agent shall provide a sufficient number of traceable tamper-evident seals to ensure security of the load while in route through final destination.

(c) The seal numbers shall be documented on the Bill of Lading, and shipment manifest, certificate, or other delivery documents, as applicable, which must be signed or acknowledged by the carrier or its agent.

(d) It will be the responsibility of the Contractor to provide sufficient number of seals to the carrier service and to ensure that the trailer is sealed after each delivery location (when destined for multiple recipients). The seal number must be recorded on the appropriate delivery document and correspond with the applied seal at the time of arrival at the next destination.

(e) When making deliveries to more than one destination from the same railcar, the quantities required at each stop off must be placed in separate compartments under seal.

(f) Deliveries will be rejected, in which seals have not been used to secure all cargo doors, if:

The seal listed on the Bill of Lading does not match the seal number recorded on the Bill of Lading;

The seal is broken;

The seal is missing, or The seal has been removed prior to the transportation conveyance reaching its unloading point.

(g) A rejected conveyance will only be accepted after a Condition of Container Inspection has been performed by AMS. AMS must subsequently issue a Condition of Container examination worksheet that documents that the food containers meet the applicable U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers. If this inspection is performed at a location other than the contracted delivery point it is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure that all cargo doors are sealed, and the seal numbers documented on the vendor's shipping documents.

(h) For frozen products, if the receiver rejects the load, the Contractor shall return the load to its plant or with Contracting Officer approval, arrange for another complete inspection which will include:

Inspecting and certifying the product for quality assurance; and COC, checkloading, sealing, and issuing a Certificate of Loading. The new seal number must be recorded, and a new certificate for condition of container must be issued and presented to the receiver. The Contractor is responsible for all costs (freight, re-inspection fees, etc.) associated with the rejected loads.

(i) Conditions of Container Inspections Conditions of Container Inspections arrangements are available by accessing the AMS website at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/sci-contacts. Please select AMS Federal Inspection Offices at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/sci-contacts/field-inspection-offices The Contractor is responsible for payment of all fees incurred as a result of a Condition of Container Inspection.

(End of clause)

452.247-74 Additional Shipping Requirements – Domestic As prescribed in 447.101-70 (a)(5), insert the following clause:

452.247-74 Additional Shipping Requirements – Domestic (Oct 2025) Items purchased as a result of this solicitation shall not be transported near non-human consumption products, malodorous products, or other types of harmful items that could contaminate commodities.

(End of clause)

Solicitation Information

Award Type

It is anticipated that a Firm-fixed Price Contract will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.

The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation and Basis for Award

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

Technical Approach:

The technical approach will evaluate the ability of the offeror to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All offerors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:

Price:

The offeror shall provide pricing as requested in the Request for Quote. Failure to propose pricing for all individual line items may result in a quotation being excluded from further consideration. The offeror’s quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.

Past Performance:

The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. Past Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:

• Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to meet contract requirements in prior or current contracts, including quality of work, timeliness, cost control, business relations, and adherence to contract terms.

• Neutral: Quoter does not have a past performance record.

• Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to meet contract requirements, including poor quality, missed deadlines, cost overruns, lack of responsiveness, or unethical behavior.

Evaluation Method:

All quotations will be evaluated to identify the quoter presenting the most technically advantageous solution based on the stated evaluation criteria. Once the highest technically rated quoter is identified, their price will be evaluated to determine whether it is fair and reasonable. Past performance will also be assessed to ensure it is acceptable or neutral.

Award will be made to the quoter whose proposal is determined to be the highest technically rated, provided that:

Award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced quoter. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

Delivery Information

F.o.b. destination, is requested as the F.O.B. point for all deliverables.

All offers will be considered F.O.B. Destination unless F.O.B. origin is specified AND estimated shipping costs are included.

Shipping Instructions:

Items shall be shipped to the following address:

USDA, ARS, DBNRRC

2890 HWY 130 E

Stuttgart, AR 72160

Other Information - Include any other information as needed for the solicitation.

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) Add any items at FAR 52.212-1 not already stated and any other applicable instructions such as page limits, font size, document type required for submission (PDF, Excel). Remember to keep things simple under simplified acquisitions. In most cases there is no need for explicit instructions for page limits, font size, volumes, etc. This should be limited to more complex acquisitions. Some examples of what would be routinely used for simplified acquisitions are:

FAR 52.212-1 is amended as follows:

Period for acceptance of quoters.

TheQuoter agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

Questions Questions shall be submitted via email to lynn.hults@usda.gov and are due no later than May 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central Time. This will ensure enough time to respond before the solicitation period ends. Please include the solicitation name and number as the subject line of the email.

The following provisions are applicable if checked:

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) to 52.204-7

Other Applicable FAR Provisions

52.225-18 Place of Manufacture (Aug 2018)

AGAR Provisions

452.203-70 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certification (Dec 2025)

(a) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that:

(b) If the offeror participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, by submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that it is compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The offeror affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the offeror will not be eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to offeror’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the offeror to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) Failure on the part of the offeror or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate the contract for default.

(End of Provision)

452.211-70 Brand Name or Equal (Sep 2025)

(a) If an item in this…