Contracts Awarded for Canned Fruit for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs

This contract invites bids for the procurement of canned pears intended for use in domestic food assistance programs. The solicitation, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a combined synopsis and solicitation and is the sole official request for offers, with no separate written solicitation to follow. The acquisition is set aside for small business concerns, emphasizing the USDA’s support for small enterprises. The solicitation references standard federal provisions and clauses accessible electronically for transparency and compliance. The USDA offers an established protest process through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) to address any concerns regarding the fairness or conduct of the procurement. Interested parties are encouraged to first discuss issues with the Contracting Officer and may escalate unresolved concerns to the Ombudsman. Formal protests are subject to specific filing requirements and timeline constraints, with the agency aiming to resolve disputes within 35 calendar days. Protesters choosing USDA’s internal process agree to forego parallel protests with external bodies such as the Government Accountability Office during the administrative review. Contact information for primary and secondary points of contact within the USDA is provided for assistance and clarification.