Fresh Vegetables (Fresh Potatoes) for use in Domestic Commodities

This solicitation, numbered 12-3J14-26-B-0207-0001, is a combined synopsis and invitation for bid for fresh vegetables issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, specifically under office 3J14 in Washington, D.C. The acquisition is designated as a small business set-aside, and no separate written solicitation will be issued. The NAICS code 311991 applies, and responses must be submitted by April 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. EST. The point of contact for inquiries is Claudius Price, with David Cottrell as a secondary contact, and all documentation and provisions referenced in the solicitation are available electronically at www.acquisition.gov. Protest procedures are governed by the USDA’s Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests, which provides an internal alternative dispute resolution process before external options like the Government Accountability Office may be pursued. Interested parties must first attempt to resolve concerns informally with the Contracting Officer and, if unresolved, may escalate to a formal protest filed either with the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Formal protests require specific information as outlined in FAR 33.104 and must be filed within specified timeframes to avoid dismissal. Suspension of contract award or performance may occur during protest review unless deemed unnecessary by written justification. Parties initiating a protest with USDA waive the right to pursue the same matter externally while the agency protest remains pending; external filings will result in automatic dismissal of the internal protest. The agency aims to resolve protests within 35 calendar days of filing.