Fresh Apples and Pears use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs

This solicitation, numbered 12-3J14-26-B-0356, is a combined synopsis and invitation for bid issued under FAR Part 12 for the procurement of fresh apples and pears to support domestic food assistance programs. The procurement is exclusively set aside for small business concerns and is managed by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, with the office located in Washington, DC. Bids must be submitted by the deadline of August 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and no separate written solicitation will be issued—the posting serves as the complete and only solicitation document. The NAICS code 311991 applies to this acquisition, and all relevant provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference and accessible via acquisition.gov. The USDA has established an internal protest resolution process through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests to encourage timely and efficient resolution of concerns without resorting to external forums. Interested parties are first required to attempt informal resolution with the Contracting Officer before escalating to a formal protest, which may be filed either with the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Formal protests must include all information required by FAR 33.104(a)(3), be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer, and adhere strictly to applicable timeliness requirements. Upon filing a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same issue with the Government Accountability Office or any other external agency while the internal process remains pending. Contract award or performance may be suspended during the protest period unless the agency determines otherwise in writing for urgent or compelling reasons. The agency aims to resolve all formal protests within 35 calendar days of filing.