This modification is issued to extend the submission of responses to Tuesday, April 17, 2007, to the Sources Sought Notice Issued to Determine Availability, Compatibility, and Cost of Whole Grain Pasta for Use in USDA Domestic Programs. The Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), Domestic Procurement Division, 6501 Beacon Drive, Stop 8718, Kansas City, MO 64133, is seeking qualified companies to produce and/or provide Whole Grain Pasta (Macaroni - Elbow and Rotini form) and Spaghetti (long form) packaged in 20-pound boxes as either 4, 5-pound bags or 2, 10-pound bags. Refer to the Commercial Item Description (CID) located at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20062d.htm, for Pasta Products. The following additional requirements are not in the CID but must be met to be eligible: 1. product must be able to use the FDA whole grain health claim; or, 2. ingredient statement on the product label must indicate whole grain as the first and primary ingredient by weight. After the whole grain pasta is cooked, it must maintain texture, shape, and taste under the appropriate industry standard holding conditions for not less than 60 minutes. The pasta must have a tan to light brown color. This notice will serve as market research to obtain information about this commercial item. This notice is not a formal solicitation but a request for interested parties to provide product information. Specific information from interested suppliers is required for KCCO to initiate this procurement. Please provide the following information: 1) product brand name; 2) your interest in this procurement; 3) capacity capabilities; 4) pack size(s); 5) ingredients composition; 6) nutritional information; 7) cost/price; 8) shelf life; and 9) any other issues or concerns. In addition, each interested supplier shall provide one case (20 pounds) of each product for sampling purposes. Mail product samples to: USDA Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 5755 South Building. Stop 0551, Washington, DC 20250-0551. Written responses shall be mailed to the attention of Gabriel Lopez at KCCO/DPD, Stop 8718, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205, and Telephone: 816-926-6711. Gabriel Lopez may also be contacted via email at gabriel.lopez@kcc.usda.gov. These responses must be received no later than Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
