String cheese for use in domestic food assistance programs

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Dairy, Grain & Multifood, Commodity Procurement Staff intends to issue solicitation AG-DPRO-S-16-0044 for procurement of String Cheese for domestic food assistance programs. Deliveries are to various locations in the United States on an FOB destination basis.

The solicitation is expected to be available on or after January 21, 2016, and will be available electronically through USDA Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system located at https://portal.wbscm.usda.gov/publicprocurement and also through a link to the aforementioned website in the document package attached to the solicitation notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website. A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available for the acquisition. All future information regarding this acquisition, including solicitation amendments and award notices, will be published through WBSCM and the Federal Business Opportunities website (http://www.fbo.gov). Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring that they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The anticipated date of receipt for offers will be on or near February 2, 2016. The contract type will be firm fixed price.

Pursuant to Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), commodities and 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. Packaging and container components under this acquisition will be the only portion subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements, as addressed by FAR clause 52.225-5. The AMS solicitation (when published) will specify the pack sizes, quantities, and required delivery schedules.

To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements established in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.2. The AMS main contact for vendor qualification requirements is Dianna M. Price who can be reached by phone at (202) 720-4237 or by email to Dianna.Price@ams.usda.gov. Details of these requirements and contact information are available online at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.

Once qualification requirements have been met, access to WBSCM will be provided. Bids, modifications, withdrawals of bids, and price adjustments shall be submitted using this system. Submission of the above by any means other than WBSCM will be determined nonresponsive.