Bottled Juice for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is soliciting bids for bottled juice to support domestic food assistance programs under solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0341, issued as an invitation for bid with a response deadline of July 23, 2026. This acquisition is exclusively reserved for small business concerns and is conducted under NAICS code 311421, with the solicitation serving as the sole and complete request for offers, eliminating the need for a separate written document. All provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference and are accessible via www.acquisition.gov. The contract will be administered by the USDA AMS 3J14 office in Washington, DC, with primary point of contact Nicholas Cavazos and secondary contact Ashley Train available for inquiries. The USDA has established a structured protest process through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests to resolve procurement concerns internally before pursuing external forums. Interested parties must first attempt informal resolution with the Contracting Officer, and if unresolved, may escalate to the Ombudsman for an informal review or file a formal protest. Formal protests require prior good-faith efforts to resolve issues with the Contracting Officer and must include all information specified in FAR 33.104(a)(3) to avoid dismissal. Protests must be filed within prescribed timelines and submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer. Once a protest is filed with the USDA, the protester may not pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office or other external bodies while the agency review is ongoing. The agency aims to resolve protests within 35 calendar days, and contract performance will be suspended during the protest period unless the government justifies continued performance for urgent or compelling reasons.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
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Documents
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Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
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 2000011425 is issued as an invitation for bid (IFB) for Bottled Juice.
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.