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Canned Vegetable Tomato Products for Domestic Food Assistance Programs
Contact and place of performance
Justin Martinek
Not specified
Amendment 1 - 4/21/2026 - This amendment adds a 10% SDVOSB Small Business Set-Aside for material 100334 (Tomato Sauce-Can 6/10) and material 100336 (Spaghetti Sauce Meatless-Can 6/10) Amendment 2 - 4/24/2026 - This amendment 1) Incorporates the updated AMS Master Invitation for Bids Domestic Commodity Procurement (MIFB-D) dated April 24, 2026 and 2) Clarifies that products grown and packed for this purchase must be f...
View moreNOTICE 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 Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking bids for canned vegetable tomato products to support domestic food assistance programs. This acquisition, issued under solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0217, covers materials including 6/10 cans of tomato sauce and meatless spaghetti sauce. Products grown and packed for this procurement must be from the current crop year; the 2025 crop year is only acceptable until the 2026 harvest is available, at which point the 2026 crop year must be used. This solicitation incorporates the Master Invitation for Bids Domestic Commodity Procurement updated on April 24, 2026.
This requirement is categorized under NAICS 311421 Fruit and Vegetable Canning and PSC 8915 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. The acquisition is designated as a Small Business Set-Aside. Furthermore, a 10% SDVOSB Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside applies specifically to material 100334 (Tomato Sauce-Can 6/10) and material 100336 (Spaghetti Sauce Meatless-Can 6/10).
The deadline for responses is April 30, 2026, and Justin Martinek serves as the point of contact. The solicitation process includes provisions for the United States Department of Agriculture Ombudsman Program, which offers an internal alternative dispute resolution process for agency protests. Contract awards or performance may be suspended during formal protest periods unless justified by urgent and compelling reasons. Individual offers are being requested as an invitation for bid, and no separate written solicitation will be issued.
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