Third-Party Certification Project

The FDA is preparing to implement a project under the Food Safety Modernization Act to support the accreditation of third-party certification bodies that conduct food safety audits of foreign food producers. This initiative enables accredited auditors to certify the compliance of foreign entities and their products with U.S. food safety standards, enhancing the Agency’s ability to verify the safety of imported foods. The program requires rigorous standards for certification bodies to ensure their independence and technical competence, forming a critical component of the FDA’s oversight of the global food supply chain. This contract project will facilitate the management of data submissions from certification bodies and support internal Agency use of that information to monitor compliance, track audit outcomes, and inform regulatory decisions. The FDA has posted this forecast opportunity under NAICS code 111110, indicating its alignment with agricultural production activities, and future contracting details will be coordinated through the Office of Human and Animal Food Acquisitions. The point of contact for inquiries is the HFP Acquisition Liaison, with the Contracting Officer role to be formally assigned prior to solicitation.