Pre-Solicitation Announcement for the (Build Back Better) Purchase of Vegetable Products

Date
March 11, 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Vegetable Products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.  Purchases will be made under the authority of the Build Back Better Initiative.

Offers may be solicited in the following forms:

Material

Material Description

100305

ASPARAGUS CAN-24/300

100323

SPINACH CAN-24/300

100333

TOMATO SAUCE CAN-24/300

100335

SPAGHETTI SAUCE MEATLESS CAN-24/300

100367

BEANS BLACKEYE CAN-24/300

110346

ASPARAGUS FRZ CTN-12/2.5 LB

111427

MIXED FRESH PRODUCE

Solicitations will be issued in the near future and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system.  A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available. Public WBSCM information is available without an account on the WBSCM Public Procurement Page. All future information regarding this acquisition, including solicitation amendments and award notices, will be published through WBSCM, and on the Agricultural Marketing Service's website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.  Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring that they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed price.  Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the United States on an FOB destination basis.

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.

Offerors are urged to review all documents as they pertain to this program, including the latest—

These documents are available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website.

To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements. The AMS point of contact for new vendors is Andrea Lang who can be reached by phone at (202) 720-4237 or by email to NewVendor@usda.govDetails of these requirements are available online. 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 non-responsive.

To receive e-mail notification of the issuance of AMS solicitations, contract awards, and other information, subscribe online at “Sign Up for Updates” available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website.

Inquiries may be directed to the Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Carol Givens-Verser, at carol.givens-verser@usda.gov

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