Bulk Apples for Further Processing

Amendment 1, 07/20/2026

This Amendment is to:
1.Post questions received and answer there of for Solicitation 2000011405 (12-3J14-26-B-0322).
2. Questions and answers start on page 2 of the SF-30 document and are also listed below.

Question: Are there specific requirements for Tracy CA? And Ludington, MI? I do not see anything 

Answer: Location specific specification requirements for Tracy, CA and Ludington, MI locations can be found in the Tendering text of the solicitation 2000011405(12-3J14-26-B-0322) document. Exceptions to the Commodity Specification for Bulk Products for Further Processing dated June 2022 for Tracy, CA and Ludington, MI are as follows-
-Destination - Tracy, CA
Varieties– Gala, Pink Lady, Cameo, Ambrosia, Minneiska, and Honey Crisp.
Size range 88-138, no more than two adjacent sizes per bin. For example, 88/100, 100/113, 113/125, 125/138 are good.
Pressure – Average Pressure will be no less than 14 pounds with no more than 10% pressuring less than 14 pounds.
Packaging – Standard (36” maximum height) industry bins. Must be clean and in good repair. Corrugated bins only.
Corrugated bins must have a corrugated top. Approximately 800lbs of fruit per bin.

-Destination - Ludington, MI
Varieties- Empire, Jonagold, Rome’s (Non-Law, Non-Bleeding), Ida Red, Golden Delicious, Gala, and Jonathan.
Sizing - Minimum size = 2.5 inches, no more than 10% undersize for Golden Delicious, Gala and Jonathon. 80% between 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches for Jonagold’s, Rome’s, and Ida Reds.
Total Defects - 8%.
Maturity/Condition - Representative samples for each lot will be collected and pressure tested at destination.
Pressure per fruit will be no less than 12 pounds with a minimum average of 13 pounds in each sample.
Packaging - Standard (36” maximum height) industry bins in clean wood or plastic. Plastic bin liners cannot be used. Plywood bins will not be accepted. Acceptable bins will be available for return pickup within 180 days of delivery to destination.

Question: Could you please provide the specific specification for the Hartford, MI location? All the others appear to be listed. 

Answer: Hartford, MI had no exceptions to its location specific requirements, so was not listed in the tendering text. Location specific specification requirements for Hartford, MI can be found in the Commodity Specification for Bulk Products for Further Processing dated June 2022. From the specification-

Destination - Hartford, MI - 
1. Varieties - Empire, Jonagold, Rome’s (Non-Law, Non-Bleeding), Ida Red, Golden Delicious, Gala, and Jonathan. 
2. Sizing - Minimum size = 2.5 inches, no more than 10% undersize for Golden Delicious, Gala and Jonathon. 80% between 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches for Jonagold’s, Rome’s, and Ida Reds. 
3. Total Defects - 8%.
4. Maturity/Condition - Representative samples for each lot will be collected and pressure tested at destination. Pressure per fruit will be no less than 12 pounds with a minimum average of 13 pounds in each sample. 
5. Packaging - Standard (36” maximum height) industry bins in clean wood or plastic. Plastic bin liners cannot be used. Plywood bins will not be accepted. Acceptable bins will be available for return pickup within 180 days of delivery to destination. 

Question: Wanted to confirm, for the TN location, they are buying less than a full truckload again?
I thought it was a policy that the USDA does not solicit in less than Full truckload volumes, please advise.

Answer: There is no requirement in solicitation 2000011405(12-3J14-26-B-0322) an order must be solicited as a full truck load (39,600 LBS). Bidders bidding on CLIN’s must deliver the full amount of the order if awarded. Bidders are cautioned not to bid on items with the intent of requesting a modification immediately after award.  

Question: Did the USDA end up going back to the two-week delivery awards? In past years solicitations have had an area to enter one price.

Answer: This solicitation requires bidders enter pricing per CLIN. Bidders may bid on as little as one CLIN. Constraints are allowed. One price is required per CLIN, not per processing location.  One or multiple vendors may be awarded per processing location. 

Question: There have been multiple inquiries from apple industry stakeholders about this solicitation.
•First, how are the "set-aside" locations determined?
•Are these locations chosen to be local to processors?
•What does a vendor need to do to be considered for a set-aside?
•Also, how were the apple varieties specified determined? In several cases, the varieties aren’t logical from USDA’s freight cost standpoint (in my opinion).
The Smyrna, TN location includes both SnapDragon and RubyFrost which legally can only be grown in New York state.
The Shelby, MI and Richland Center, WI locations include Cosmic Crisp which, legally can only be grown in Washington state.

Answer: Set asides are determined by the contracting officer based on market research and agency guidance. In general, if the government can reasonably expect at least two responsible small businesses to submit competitive offers at fair market prices, the acquisition is set aside for small businesses. Sealed bidding and set-aside procedures can be found under FAR Part 14 and FAR Subpart 19.5.

To be considered for a small business set aside, your company must be registered and “active” in SAM.gov with the appropriate NAICS code (NAICS CODE 311991 for Bulk Apples for Further Processing), and you must self certify as a small business under SBA size standards. 

The cities, and states listed are locations where the approved USDA Foods National Processors who process USDA Foods apples are located. If interested in USDA Foods Processing,  contact NPA@usda.gov.
The approved National Processors provide the apple varieties they process.

Question: Bulk apples are scheduled for bid. Based on the instruction to offors in the solicitation, awards may be limited to vendors. Can you confirm if this interpretation is correct?

Answer: There is a probationary period for new-to-AMS contractors and existing contractors bidding on new products in which awards may be limited to 10 truckloads per product. Contractors must demonstrate successful delivery of at least five (5) truckloads of [new] product in order to be removed from probationary status on future solicitations. For the purposes of this rule, successful delivery is defined as product delivered on-time and in acceptable condition according to the terms and conditions of the contract.

For product (110149) APPLES FOR FURTHER PROCESSING -BULK on this solicitation, if a bidder has not yet been awarded this product (110149), the bidder may be limited to ten trucks.

Use the link provided in this contract opportunity to view the latest version

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0322 is issued as an invitation for bid (IFB)] for Bulk Apples for Further Processing.

This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

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 SPE.inquiry@usda.gov 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.