TEFAP Fresh Produce for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs

This solicitation seeks commercial fresh produce for use in domestic food assistance programs under the TEFAP initiative, issued as an Invitation for Bid with the solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0348. The acquisition is exclusively reserved for small business concerns and is being conducted under FAR Part 12 procedures, meaning it is treated as a commercial acquisition with simplified contracting methods. Bids must be submitted by the deadline of August 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. EDT, and the offering is managed by the USDA AMS 3J14 office in Washington, DC. No separate written solicitation will be issued; this announcement serves as the complete and only solicitation document, incorporating all applicable provisions and clauses by reference through acquisition.gov. The USDA has established a structured internal protest process through its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests to ensure fair and timely resolution of concerns. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to first engage with the Contracting Officer informally before escalating issues to the Ombudsman, either informally or through a formal agency protest. Formal protests must be filed within the timeframe specified in FAR 33.104 and include all required information as outlined in the regulation; failure to comply may result in dismissal. Protest submissions must be sent electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer, and filing a protest with USDA precludes simultaneous pursuit of the same matter at the Government Accountability Office or other external forums. Contract award or performance may be suspended during a formal protest unless the agency determines an urgent or compelling reason to proceed. The USDA aims to resolve all protests within 35 calendar days of filing.