Canned Vegetable Products for the use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs

The solicitation numbered 12-3J14-26-B-0340 is a combined synopsis and request for proposal issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service for the procurement of canned vegetable products to support domestic food assistance programs. This acquisition is exclusively set aside for small business concerns and is governed under NAICS code 311421. Offers must be submitted by the deadline of July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., and no separate written solicitation will be issued—the posted announcement serves as the complete and only solicitation document. The contract is being managed by the USDA AMS 3J14 office in Washington, D.C., with primary point of contact Adrienne Collins and secondary contact David Cottrell available for inquiries. The USDA has established a formal Agency Protest Program to handle bid challenges internally, providing an alternative to external litigation through the Government Accountability Office. Interested parties are required to first attempt an informal resolution with the Contracting Officer before escalating to a formal protest filed with the USDA Ombudsman. Formal protests must be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer and must include all information required under FAR 33.104(a)(3) to avoid dismissal. The agency aims to resolve formal protests within 35 calendar days, and contract award or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified by urgent and compelling reasons. By initiating a formal protest with USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same issue with the GAO or other external forums while the agency process remains active. Failure to comply with this election of forum will result in dismissal of the agency protest.