Description: The Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), Domestic Procurement Division, is seeking qualified companies to supply and to provide comments on the procurement of a buttery spread. This notice will serve as the market research to obtain information for this commercial item. All information gathered in response to this Sources Sought Announcement will be used solely for planning purposes. This is not a formal solicitation but a request for interested parties to provide information. No current solicitation exits and requests for a solicitation will be ignored. The buttery spread should be made from vegetable oil(s) and contain no hydrogenated oil or trans-fatty acids while containing a creamy, buttery flavor. The buttery spread shall have physical characteristics that would make it ideal for cooking, baking, and table use. The Government intends to make monthly Invitation for Bids for multiple awards. The applicable NAICS code for this procurement is 311225 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. Future invitations will specify the various types of commodities to be procured, the specifications, the office to which offers are to be submitted, the closing time for receipt of offers, and all other applicable provisions. Specific information from interested parties is required in order for KCCC to initiate this procurement. Please provide information on product performance, product quality, vendor capabilities, and your interest in the procurement. Product Functionality and Performance: 1) Spread-ability on bread/toast, 2) melt temperature and time, 3) baking and frying performance, 4) shelf life, 5) nutritional information and ingredients, and 5) warranty. Product Quality: 1) Commercial brand name, 2) Flavor, 3) body and texture, 4) color and appearance, and 5) microbial requirements. Vendor Capabilities: 1) Capacity capabilities (e.g. 10 truckloads monthly), 2) pack size(s), 3) transportation issues, including standard truck size, 4) any other issues or concerns, and 5) point of contact information. Written responses shall be mailed to the attention of Kathy Wienberg, Processed Commodities Branch, USDA/FSA/Kansas City Commodity Office, Beacon Facility stop 8718, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205, KCCO can also be contacted by Telephone: 816-926-2601 or via email at katherine.wienberg@kcc.usda.gov. These responses must be received no later than 10 days after publication of this notice. This proposed procurement is full and open competition and/or small business set-aside.
