Name | Type | Posted | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
12-3J14-26-B-0234 | LINK | Apr 16, 2026 |
Vegetable Oil for Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs
Contact and place of performance
Wendy Penn
Not specified
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 5.101(d). 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-0234 is issued as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Vegetable Oil products pursuant to the AMS Master Invitation for Bids...
View moreInformal 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 Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0234 as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to procure vegetable oil products. This combined synopsis/solicitation is conducted for the acquisition of commercial products to support Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. The procurement is designated as a small business set-aside (SBA) under NAICS code 311225, Fats and Oils Refining and Blending, and PSC 8945, Food, Oils and Fats.
The acquisition follows the AMS Master Invitation for Bids Domestic Commodity Procurement and incorporates federal provisions and clauses by reference. Bids must be submitted by April 30, 2026. Wendy Penn serves as the primary point of contact for this notice, which includes one attachment containing the solicitation details. The United States Department of Agriculture provides an Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests as an alternative dispute resolution process for interested parties to address procurement concerns before seeking external forums.
Bidders are required to utilize the USDA’s internal processes to resolve concerns, beginning with the Contracting Officer and escalating to the Ombudsman if necessary. Formal agency protests filed with the Ombudsman follow specific timelines and requirements established in FAR 33.104. Contract award or performance may be suspended during a protest period unless the government determines that urgent and compelling reasons or the best interest of the Government necessitate continuation. Protesters must agree not to pursue the same matter in external forums while an agency protest is pending.
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