Final Commodity Specification for Tree Nuts January 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service is issuing a pre-solicitation notice for the purchase of tree nuts, including shelled almonds, filbert kernels, pecan pieces, pistachio nuts in the shell, and shelled walnuts, for the USDA Commodity Procurement Program. Anticipated as a firm-fixed-price contract with deliveries FOB destination to various U.S. locations, the procurement requires all commodities to be domestic products of the United States, grown and processed exclusively within the country. All tree nuts must be from the current packing season and undergo safety treatments to achieve a 4-log reduction of Salmonella bacteria. Compliance is governed by the U.S. Standards for Grades of Nuts and the AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement. Strict packaging and labeling requirements are in place, including the use of new corrugated fiberboard cases, specific heat-sealed primary containers, and mandatory recycling statements. Quality assurance is managed through Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service certifications at the location of final packaging, with all inspection costs borne by the contractor. To ensure origin integrity, the USDA employs the Domestic Origin Verification and Domestic Origin Trace-Back audit programs, and self-certifications are not accepted. Eligible vendors must meet AMS qualification requirements and submit all bids exclusively through the WBSCM system.