Canned Fruit for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs

This solicitation, numbered 12-3J14-26-B-0336, is a combined synopsis and invitation for bid for canned fruit intended for use in domestic food assistance programs, issued under part 5.101(d) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The acquisition is exclusively set aside for small business concerns and is being conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, specifically through the 3J14 office in Washington, D.C. Bids must be submitted by July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the NAICS code 311421 applies to this procurement. No separate written solicitation will be issued; this announcement serves as the complete and only source of solicitation details, with all applicable provisions and clauses incorporated by reference and available at www.acquisition.gov. The USDA has established an internal Alternative Dispute Resolution process through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests to address concerns regarding fairness or procedural issues in the procurement. Interested parties are first encouraged to discuss concerns informally with the Contracting Officer, Nicholas Cavazos, and may escalate issues to the Ombudsman if unresolved. Formal protests must be filed within the timelines and requirements specified in FAR 33.104, include all mandatory information, and be submitted electronically to both the Ombudsman and the Contracting Officer. Once a formal protest is filed with the USDA, the protester waives the right to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office or any other external forum while the agency protest remains pending. Contract performance may be suspended during the protest review period unless the government provides written justification for continuing, and the agency aims to resolve all protests within 35 calendar days of filing.