Sources Sought Notice: Frozen Vegetable Blend- Sweet Peppers and Onion

***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 a frozen vegetable blend comprised of red peppers, green peppers, and onions 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. For your reference, following is a link to the Commercial Item Description (CID) for Frozen Vegetable Blends: http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Vegetable%20Blends%2C%20Frozen.pdf The preferred frozen vegetable blend would meet the criteria outlined in the CID: Blend II: Three way mix, Grade A Agricultural practice: A (conventional) Vegetables: 14 (onion), Designation c (strips) 24 (sweet pepper, green), Designation d (sliced) 25 (sweet pepper, red), Designation d (sliced) Style: 1 (No added salt) ""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 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; a. Width of the pepper and onion strips (what is offered commercially) b. Relative percentage of green pepper, red pepper, and onion strips (what is offered commercially) 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. e. sample label 5. Packaging information. a. pack size(s); type of packaging (e.g. resealable bag, zipper type, etc.) 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 Frozen Peppers and Onion Blend Responses are requested to be received no later than November 19, 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: Laura Walter Nutritionist Laura.walter@ams.usda.gov 202-720-0623