Request for Information- 100% Domestic Pineapple Products for Federal Food Distribution Programs

Document Type: Request for Information Posted Date: April 27, 2015 Response Date: May 27, 2015 Classification Code: (89) Subsistence NAICS Codes: 311411 Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing 311421 Fruit and vegetable canning 311423 Dried and dehydrated food manufacturing 424480 Fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers Synopsis: ***This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued solely to conduct market research. No solicitation is being issued at this time. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB), and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice or responding to any follow-up requests for additional information. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this review. The Government is seeking sources to supply pineapple products (frozen, canned, dried, fresh, and bulk for processing) that are 100% domestic origin, to be evaluated for potential use in Federal food and nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. "Domestic" means a product that is grown, raised, harvested, produced, and processed entirely in the United States, its territories and possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or the District of Columbia (hereinafter referred to as "the United States"). Interested parties should provide the following information for the pineapple products that they supply: 1. Your company's interest in supplying the product; 2. A complete description of the product for which information is being submitted; 3. Evidence of compliance with the 100% domestic product requirement; 4. Product labeling information to include: a. ingredients list; b. allergen statement; c. nutrition facts panel; d. Kosher and/or Halal certification, if applicable. 5. Packaging information. a. pack size; b. net weight per unit (case, carton, etc.); c. estimated gross weight per unit (case, carton, etc.); d. units per truck (case, carton, etc.); e. number of cases per pallet; f. number of pallets per truck; g. net weight per truck; h. estimated gross weight per truck including weight of pallets; i. gross weights in pounds. 6. Shipping requirements. a. temperature requirements; b. any special storage requirements. 7. Distribution Limitations. a. Volume Constraints. Estimated capacity/quantity available on a monthly basis. b. Geographic limitations. Ability to provide product throughout the United States. 8. Estimated cost or market price per unit. 9. Anticipated shelf-life of the product. 10. Any other relevant information, recommendations, comments, and/or concerns. 11. Company/Organization name and contact information: a. Name and Title; b. Phone/Email Address. Responses shall be submitted electronically via e-mail to: RFIResponses@ams.usda.gov. The subject line shall read: Response to Request for Information Notice for Pineapple Products. Responses are requested to be received no later than May 27, 2015. Questions may be directed to one of the following contacts: Contracting Office Address: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Staff - Room 3522 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Stop 0239 Washington, DC 20250-0239 Primary Point of Contact: Casey Wong-Buehler Contract Specialist casey.wong-buehler@ams.usda.gov 202-720-7106 Secondary Point of Contact: James Sprandel Contracting Officer james.sprandel@ams.usda.gov 202-720-9191