NOP Sound and Sensible Certification

Added: Jun 11, 2014 3:50 pm The Webinar has been uploaded to:

https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=1hdpcw

A Q&A and a copy of the webinar slides have been uploaded.

Added: Jun 05, 2014 7:32 am The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce an informational webinar about the Sound and Sensible Certification solicitation, which was officially posted on May 22.

During the webinar, we will provide an overview of the solicitation, review the evaluation criteria that proposals will be scored against, outline best practices and tips for proposal preparation, summarize the proposal evaluation process, and point to websites that are essential tools for contractors that want to work with the government.

WEBINAR DETAILS

This is a one-hour, listen-only webinar that you attend using both a phone and a computer. You will be able to send an instant message/chat to the presenter using your computer, but you will not be allowed to speak. The webinar will be recorded, and a link to it will be posted on the Solicitation page below.

Date/Time:
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time

Dial In by Phone:

Toll-Free (U.S. & Canada): 866.740.1260
Access Code: 7202000

AND, Also Access the Web:

Meeting URL: http://www.readytalk.com
On the left side of the screen, enter
Participant Access Code: 7202000

To Test Your Computer in Advance:
Test your computer for compatibility prior to the conference:
http://test.readytalk.com/?host=readytalk


http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs127/1103777415326/archive/1117553635638.html

Added: Apr 28, 2014 1:56 pm Modified: May 22, 2014 8:35 amTrack Changes This is a performance work statement for sound and sensible organic certification models and outreach in support of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

This requirement will involve multiple awards between $20,000 and $200,000 (total amount of all awards approximately $900,000). The project involves outreach and the creation of approaches and tools to encourage and educate about organic certification. It also involves creating tools to assist in achieving organic certification.

Some candidate farmers and businesses have not taken advantage of organic market opportunities because organic certification is perceived as too burdensome. Given these concerns, the NOP initiated a "Sound and Sensible Certification" initiative. The goal of Sound and Sensible Certification is to build consumer confidence that organic products meet defined standards from farm to market, while also making sure that certification is accessible, attainable, and affordable, particularly for small and beginning farmers. The initiative involves identifying and removing barriers to certification, streamlining the certification process, focusing enforcement, and working with organic businesses to correct small issues before they become larger ones.

There are currently 84 USDA-accredited certifying agents that are overseen by the NOP. They are a collection of small businesses, large businesses, non-profits, and Government agricultural departments that are the functional experts in organic certification.

These certifiers are uniquely qualified to develop the sound and sensible certification approaches, outreach, and training tools discussed above. Each certifier undergoes a rigorous accreditation process to ensure that they possess the full range of capabilities to certify and oversee organic farmers; the NOP conducts audits of each certifier approximately every 2.5 years (mid-term and renewal accreditation audits). Certifiers are the only entities authorized to certify businesses to sell products that carry the USDA organic seal. No other type of organization holds the same level of institutional, regulatory, and practical knowledge related to organic agriculture and certification.

Link to NOP's current list of 84 certifiers:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5100382

Due to the unique level of knowledge required in this field this is competed on a full and open basis. It is probable that some of these certifiers will be partnering with other organizations or experts (e.g., business process improvements) in either a prime or subcontracting capacity depending on the initiative and level of involvement.

Added: Apr 28, 2014 1:56 pm This is a draft performance work statement for sound and sensible organic certification models and outreach in support of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

This requirement will involve multiple awards between $20,000 and $200,000 (total amount of all awards approximately $900,000). The project involves outreach and the creation of approaches and tools to encourage and educate about organic certification. It also involves creating tools to assist in achieving organic certification.

Some candidate farmers and businesses have not taken advantage of organic market opportunities because organic certification is perceived as too burdensome. Given these concerns, the NOP initiated a "Sound and Sensible Certification" initiative. The goal of Sound and Sensible Certification is to build consumer confidence that organic products meet defined standards from farm to market, while also making sure that certification is accessible, attainable, and affordable, particularly for small and beginning farmers. The initiative involves identifying and removing barriers to certification, streamlining the certification process, focusing enforcement, and working with organic businesses to correct small issues before they become larger ones.

There are currently 84 USDA-accredited certifying agents that are overseen by the NOP. They are a collection of small businesses, large businesses, non-profits, and Government agricultural departments that are the functional experts in organic certification.

These certifiers are uniquely qualified to develop the sound and sensible certification approaches, outreach, and training tools discussed above. Each certifier undergoes a rigorous accreditation process to ensure that they possess the full range of capabilities to certify and oversee organic farmers; the NOP conducts audits of each certifier approximately every 2.5 years (mid-term and renewal accreditation audits). Certifiers are the only entities authorized to certify businesses to sell products that carry the USDA organic seal. No other type of organization holds the same level of institutional, regulatory, and practical knowledge related to organic agriculture and certification.

Link to NOP's current list of 84 certifiers:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5100382

Due to the unique level of knowledge required in this field it is USDA's intention to compete this on a full and open basis. It is probable that some of these certifiers will be partnering with other organizations or experts (e.g., business process improvements) in either a prime or subcontracting capacity depending on the initiative and level of involvement.