Pork included in USDA purchasing move

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to purchase products, including pork, for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.

Under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935, USDA will also purchase canned peaches, concord grape juice, fresh mandarins, prunes, raisins, walnuts and wild-caught shrimp products for distribution.

“More high-quality, wholesome and nutrient-dense protein is on its way to American schools and food banks across the country thanks to this purchase of U.S. pork,” said National Pork Producers Council President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington County in southeastern Iowa.

“America’s pork producers applaud USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and the administration for this significant step in what is a challenging market — and for recognizing the needs of farm country and Americans who deserve reliable sources of good food go hand in hand.”

Section 32 authorizes the USDA secretary to make commodity purchases, entitlement purchases and disaster assistance — using funds appropriated annually from U.S. customs receipts — to encourage the continued domestic consumption of products.

USDA annually buys pork and other commodities for federal food programs, including school breakfast and lunch programs.

Solicitations will be issued in the near future and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management system at tinyurl.com/WBSCM. A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available.

Public WBSCM information is available without an account on the WBSCM Public Procurement Page at portal.wbscm.usda.gov/ppp.

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 ams.usda.gov/selling-food.

Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring 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 a Freight on Board 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 United States and shall be considered 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.

To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements.

The AMS points of contact for new vendors are Diana Dau David and Chelsie Prange, who can be reached by email at NewVendor@usda.gov. Details of these requirements are available online at tinyurl.com/Become-a-USDA-Vendor.

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.