Peanut Products and Sunflower Butter for Domestic Food Assistance Programs

The solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0258 issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement of peanut products and sunflower butter intended for domestic food assistance programs. This solicitation serves as the sole request for offers and is partially set aside for small business concerns. It is issued in compliance with the procurement regulations and incorporates standard provisions and clauses by reference, accessible electronically. The solicitation is managed by the USDA office in Washington, DC, with Philip Helmer as the primary point of contact. Responses must be submitted by May 11, 2026. The USDA has established the Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) to provide a fair, efficient alternative to litigation for addressing procurement protests related to this solicitation. Interested parties should first attempt resolution by contacting the Contracting Officer; if unresolved, they may escalate concerns to the Ombudsman through either an informal or formal protest process. Formal protests require adherence to specific timeliness and content requirements as outlined in federal acquisition regulations, and a goal is set to resolve protests within 35 calendar days. The program prohibits pursuing the same protest simultaneously with external forums like the Government Accountability Office, ensuring disputes are managed internally to promote prompt and equitable contract award decisions.