Pulse-Based Pasta-Request for Information

Synopsis: Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Solicitation Number: 123J14-Notice-20-001 Posted Date: December 3, 2019 Response Due Date: January 3, 2020 Classification Code: (89) Subsistence NAICS Code: 311824 U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Commodity Procurement Program 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Stop 0239 Washington, DC, 20250 Description: This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is interested in purchasing dried pasta made from pulses (e.g. chickpeas, lentils, dry peas, and beans) for domestic food assistance programs. This RFI will serve as market research to obtain information on the availability and specifications for dried pasta made from pulses. All information gathered in response to this RFI/Notice is confidential and used solely for planning purposes. This is not a formal solicitation, but a request for interested parties to provide information. No solicitation published by this office for this product currently exists. Additional References: - Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements, dated October 1, 2019, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/MSCP.pdf - Become a USDA Foods Vendor, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/becoming-approved Information Requested: All information provided with regard to the commercial practices for these products should take into account USDA's 100 percent domestic origin requirement (see Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements in - Additional References, above). Please respond as completely as possible to the following questions: your interest in this procurement; product specifications, including: brand name and product code; product formulation and fabrication, including the percentage of pulse ingredients in the formulation, and the U.S. grade standard of pulses used; pasta shape, including shape dimensions; labeling information, including: lot coding, nutrition facts, ingredients label, allergen statement, cooking instructions, and a PDF of the label; shelf life, including recommendations for optimal storage conditions; product specification sheet or brochure, if available; description of current commercial outlets for this product (e.g. retail, food service); pack size(s) (net weight), and servings per container; commercial prevalence of each pack size; truckload unitization/configuration and weights: packages per case, cases per pallet, and pallets per truckload; net case weight (in lbs.) and gross case weight (in lbs.) minimum number of pallets that could be delivered to a single location, and any relevant information on your ability to ship in less than truckload quantities; historical price/cost estimate; capabilities: seasonal production capacity, volume capabilities, distribution limitations, etc., as applicable; commercial warranty; any other relevant information, recommendations, comments, issues and/or concerns that would be beneficial to the Government for our market research; company/organization name and contact information: name, title, phone and e-mail address. All applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution of the product within the commercial marketplace must be met. Should USDA move forward and publish an actual solicitation as a result of this market research, suppliers must become qualified vendors before being eligible to bid (see - Additional References, above). Responses and questions shall be emailed to the attention of Sarah Fong at Sarah.Fong@usda.gov and Richard Peterson at Richard.Peterson@usda.gov. Responses are requested to be received no later than January 3, 2020. Commodity Procurement Program Address: 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Mail Stop 0239 Washington, DC 20250 Primary Point of Contact: Sarah Fong Nutrition and Product Development Branch, Commodity Procurement Program Sarah.Fong@usda.gov 202-378-5802 Secondary Point of Contact: Richard Peterson Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program Richard.Peterson@usda.gov