This is a sources sought notice. This notice is issued for market research purposes only for interested parties to provide information. It is a Request for Information as defined in FAR 12.201(e) and does not constitute a commitment by the government, nor is it a formal solicitation or request for offers.
The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to conduct market research of the commercial availability of Crackers Unsalted Tops Box -12/16 oz, NAICS Code: 311821 Crackers (Saltine and Soda), for Federal Domestic Food Distribution Programs. All information gathered in response to this notice will be used solely for planning purposes. Specifications for the Crackers would be solicited in accordance with USDA Commodity Requirements Document, dated March 2020 (see link below).
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CrackerProductsSpecification.pdf
Interested parties must email their responses and questions to Contract Specialist Raquel Clinton at raquel.clinton@usda.gov and to Contracting Officer Jeff Jackson at jeffreyf.jackson@usda.gov no later than March 31, 2020.
AMS requests that respondents provide the following information:
1) Your company’s interest in supplying this product;
2) Complete description of the product and product brand name;
3) Product labeling information to include:ingredients list
- allergen statement
- nutrition facts panel
- Kosher and/or Halal certification, if applicable
4) Shipping requirements:
- temperature requirements
- any special storage requirements
5) Distribution Limitations:
- volume constraints; estimated capacity/quantity available on a monthly basis.
- geographic limitations if any; ability to provide product throughout the United States.
6) Estimated cost or market price per unit;
7) Anticipated shelf life of the product;
8) Product bulletin/brochure, commercial label and commercial warranty;
9) Grading methodology, please indicate what grading and size standards are utilized by your organization;
10) Small Business Administration (SBA) size of your firm;
11) Any other relevant information, recommendations, comments, issues and/or concerns that would be beneficial to the Government;
12) Name, Title, contact information, and organization name, as applicable.
Information provided with regard to the commercial practices for the Crackers, should take into account USDA's 100 percent domestic origin requirement.
All vendors that are considering offering Crackers to USDA must comply with all applicable federal and state mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution of the product within the commercial marketplace.
The delivered product shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and regulations promulgated there under.
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