Section 32 Fresh Plums

This contract, issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a combined synopsis and solicitation for commercial products, specifically for Section 32 Fresh Plums under solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0285. It serves as the only solicitation for this acquisition, which is set aside exclusively for small business concerns. The contract follows standard provisions and clauses as referenced electronically, and the responses to the solicitation are due by June 9, 2026. The USDA office responsible for this contract is based in Washington, DC, and points of contact are provided for potential offerors to address any questions. The USDA emphasizes a fair and transparent procurement process and offers an internal Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP). This allows interested parties to raise concerns about the procurement informally or formally, aiming to resolve issues internally to avoid external litigation such as with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Formal protests must include specific information as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation and must be filed within designated timeframes. Initiating a protest with the USDA prohibits pursuing the same issue with other external forums, maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the agency’s procurement process.