Notice Concerning Contract Numbering for Procurements for International Food Assistance Programs

With the implementation of the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system for the procurement of supplies used for international food assistance programs administered by U.S. Agency for International Development and USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service, the Government will be using a different contract numbering system for each contract awarded. Previously, each contract was identified by a nine character alpha-numeric, such as "VEP212345", "VEPD12345", "VEPE12345", or VEPK12345". This identified the particular contract action by the Government and, when applicable, this was the contract number that was required to be printed on the packaging pursuant to the marking specifications provided in the pertinent Commodity Requirements Document. In addition, this was the contract identifier for the Government and Contractor for contract administration purposes. Under WBSCM, the Government will be using the Purchase Order (P.O.) number created by WBSCM as the contract number in order to identify contracting actions. The Purchase Order number is a ten digit number that begins with "42" and is followed by eight additional digits, such as "4200000001". When the contract number is required to be printed on packaging, Contractors should use the Purchase Order number in place of the "VEP2123456", "VEPD123456", "VEPE123456", or VEPK123456" contract numbering type previously used. In addition, Contractors should refer to the P.O. number and the specific line item number in the P.O. when communicating with the Government on contract administration matters. Future solicitation language will also clarify this change. As further clarification, Purchase Orders issued through WBSCM will contain not only the contract award information, but, also the shipping instructions that had previously been provided in the Notice to Deliver. As a result, there will be no issuance of Notices to Deliver in WBSCM. Please refer to Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements Part 3, Section A.8 and A.9(b)(ii). Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Contracting Officer Technical Representative identified in your Purchase Order.