Name | Type | Posted | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
12-3J14-26-B-0169 | LINK | Mar 5, 2026 |
FRUIT (APRICOT CANNED, APRICOT FROZEN, PEACHES FROZEN, STRAWBERRY FROZEN)
Contact and place of performance
Nicholas Cavazos
Not specified
Amendment 1 - 03/06/2026 - This amendment is issued to correct the 'Estimated CS' and 'Maximum CS' fields for the following solicitation item numbers: 1. 60: STRAWBERRY SLICES UNSWT CTN-6/5 LB (110860) 2. 70: STRAWBERRY WHOLE UNSWT IQF CTN-12/1 LB (111680). Use the link provided in this contract opportunity to view the latest version. Amendment 2 - 03/12/2026 - This amendment is issued...
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NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program
The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA’s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman.
Informal Forum with the Ombudsman
1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer.
2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums.
3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).
Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman
1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions.
2. Independent Review: If the protester’s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government.
3. Resolution Timeline: The agency’s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing.
4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.
5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.
6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to [email protected] and the Contracting Officer.
Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has issued invitation for bid (IFB) 2000011206 for the procurement of canned and frozen fruit. This combined synopsis/solicitation, identified by solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0169, seeks commercial products including canned and frozen apricots, frozen peaches, and frozen strawberries. The acquisition is classified under NAICS 311411 for Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing and PSC 8915 for Fruits and Vegetables. This requirement is a total small business set-aside (SBP).
Specific strawberry products requested include unsweetened slices in six-pound containers and whole unsweetened IQF strawberries in 12-pound containers. Recent amendments have updated the estimated and maximum case quantities for these items and provided work instructions for submitting Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) bids. All offers must be submitted by the response deadline of March 17, 2026.
Nicholas Cavazos serves as the point of contact for this procurement. The solicitation incorporates federal provisions and clauses by reference and includes specific procedures for the USDA Ombudsman Program regarding agency protests and alternative dispute resolution. One attachment, containing the formal solicitation requirements, was issued with the initial posting on March 5, 2026.
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