Terry Lutz

Terry Lutz serves as a key procurement lead within the Agricultural Marketing Service’s 3J14 office, responsible for managing contracts that secure processed and preserved agricultural commodities for federal nutrition assistance programs. Their role centers on ensuring a stable, compliant supply of shelf-stable, high-nutrient foods—including canned, frozen, and dried items—to support USDA’s mission of nutrition security for vulnerable populations. Lutz oversees the full lifecycle of acquisitions under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with a focus on competitive bidding, performance-based contracting, and supply chain resilience for perishable and non-perishable food products. Their work directly enables the distribution of essential food items through programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program and child nutrition initiatives. Lutz maintains a primary working relationship with Navcor Logistics LLC, a trusted contractor specializing in the end-to-end logistics of food commodity procurement, storage, and distribution. The partnership reflects a preference for vendors with proven capacity in cold chain management, USDA-compliant packaging, and Just-in-Time delivery to federal distribution centers. While Navcor Logistics is the dominant contractor, Lutz engages a broader network of food processors and logistics providers to ensure redundancy and geographic diversity in supply sources, prioritizing reliability and regulatory compliance over cost alone. Lutz’s contracting portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on maximizing vendor capacity and supply chain efficiency rather than socioeconomic targeting. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, the agency’s procurement structure naturally supports mid-to-large-scale processors capable of meeting federal volume and safety standards. The primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 311615 (Poultry Processing), followed by 311824 (Dry Pasta and Flour Mixes Manufacturing) and 311911 (Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing). Lutz specializes in acquiring ready-to-serve, shelf-stable food items that meet USDA nutritional guidelines and federal food safety standards, demonstrating deep expertise in food processing, preservation technologies, and compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.