Become a USDA Vendor | Understand the Requirements | Apply | Application Review Timeframe | Resources

Resources

Instructional Webinars

USDA occasionally conducts webinars for prospective vendors. To view recordings, please click the links below. To learn more about future events, please Subscribe here to our email updates.

The new vendor process is described in the Apply section and explained in our YouTube recordings:

Common Questions and Answers

Select a question to jump to the answer or scroll through to learn more:

Is becoming a vendor right for me?

What commodities does AMS purchase?

Can I sell products that are grown, processed, or otherwise prepared outside the United States?

Where can I learn about upcoming commodity procurement solicitations?

How can I bid on commodity procurement solicitations?

Bids are placed through Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM); how do I access WBSCM?

Does AMS arrange domestic transportation?

Does AMS arrange international transportation?

Is experience with the product I want to sell required?

What can I do if USDA does not purchase my food commodity?

Can non-manufacturers become vendors?

I already have a SAM.gov account and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI); am I eligible to bid?

I have an issue or question regarding SAM.gov; who do I contact?

Are there other resources for help with SAM and guidance doing business with the government?

I already have audit and inspection documents; can I send those with my new vendor application?

Is becoming a vendor right for me?

Selling food to AMS offers suppliers a rewarding, consistent, and reliable business opportunity. AMS purchases support critical feeding and nutrition assistance programs across the country and around the world, giving vendors a chance to feed communities while expanding their market reach and diversifying sales. Procurements are frequent, providing businesses with ongoing purchase opportunities. Just as important, payments are made quickly and reliably under the federal Prompt Payment Act. This combination of positive impact, consistent purchasing, and dependable payments makes selling to AMS a smart, stable, and profitable choice for food producers and distributors. Check out our Opportunities to sell to USDA document (pdf) for more information.

What commodities does AMS purchase?

AMS purchases a variety of 100% domestically produced and processed commodity food products through a competitive process among approved vendors. Our purchases are primarily full truck loads and/or rail cars for nationwide and international distribution. A list of the products we purchase can be found here: Purchase Summary Reports. If you are looking for service contracts, please visit our Service Contracting, Transportation and Port Requirements page for more information.

Can I sell products that are grown, processed, or otherwise prepared outside the United States?

No. Commodity purchases must be a product of the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Certain exceptions are covered in the MFIB 4A52.225-70 U.S. Origin Product (Feb 2025).

Where can I learn about upcoming commodity procurement solicitations?

By subscribing to our email updates, you will receive information on solicitations, any specification changes, and much more. This is the best way to stay up to date on our contracts. Subscribe here.

How can I bid on commodity procurement solicitations?

To participate in commodity procurement solicitations vendors must first become approved via the New Vendor Process. Once approved, all bids must be submitted via WBSCM. Review the Apply section to learn more about the application process.

Bids are placed through Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM); how do I access WBSCM?

When a vendor is approved, the New Vendor and WBSCM teams will assist with creating an account in WBSCM.

Does AMS arrange domestic transportation?

AMS procures $2-5 billion in processed, chilled, frozen, and fresh products every year. When a contract is awarded, the vendor is responsible for arranging their own transportation (trucking) of the product. If you are interested in supplying transportation services, please contact our vendors and eligible suppliers directly for opportunities to work with them. Our Qualified Bidders List (QBL) lists our approved vendors and can be found at the bottom of the Purchase Programs: Solicitations and Awards webpage.

AMS does arrange a small amount of ground transportation for certain contracts. When AMS has freight that needs to be moved within the continental United States, we select motor carriers that have been vetted by another governmental agency, the General Services Administration(GSA). If you would like to become a GSA Transportation Service Provider (TSP), please visit the GSA website for more information.

Does AMS arrange international transportation?

No, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) arranges the transportation for international purchases. Additional information is available on the AMS webpage for service contracting, transportation, and port requirements.

Is experience with the product I want to sell required?

Historical experience with the commodity is required. Your application must include a capability statement that includes a description of historical business experience, including the number of years your company has sold the same or similar products you would like to provide in the commercial marketplace or to government entities. For more information, please review the Vendor Qualification Requirements.

What can I do if AMS does not purchase my food commodity?

All domestic purchases are determined by our sister agency, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). If you would like to have your product considered, we would recommend reviewing the three links below and emailing questions to USDAFoods@usda.gov (FNS email for new products), as well as visiting the FNS website.

All international purchases are managed through agreements with Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs). PVOs identify needed commodities as part of the application process for federal funds, and, once awarded, AMS then purchases the selected commodities. If you would like to have your product considered, we would recommend visiting the PVO’s respective websites for more information.

Can non-manufacturers become vendors?

A non-manufacturer is an organization that does not manufacture, process, or produce the product they plan to supply. Non-manufacturers can become approved vendors, but they must comply with the Code of Federal Regulations and Vendor Qualifications:

A non-manufacturer, working with another non-manufacturer, is not acceptable based on 13 CFR 121.406(b)(2) that states there can only be one manufacturer of the end item purchased. When product comes from multiple non-manufacturers it loses its traceability and there's no guarantee it's coming from one manufacturer.
The Vendor Qualification Requirements, Part B.3. requires non-manufacturers to comply with 13 CFR 121.406(b): (a) Non-manufacturers.
- A firm may qualify as a small business concern for a requirement to provide manufactured products or other supply items as a nonmanufacturer if it:
- Does not exceed 500 employees;
- Is primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sells the type of item being supplied;
- Takes ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice; and
- Will supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor or producer made in the United States, or obtains a waiver of such requirement pursuant to paragraph (b)(5) of this section.

I already have a SAM.gov account and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI); am I eligible to bid?

No. While your company must be registered and “active” in SAM for “All Awards,” having a SAM.gov account is only one part of the new vendor application process. You must complete all parts of the application and become approved before you are eligible to bid.

I have an issue or question regarding SAM.gov, who do I contact?

For any SAM.gov issue/questions, please contact the SAM HelpDesk by visiting their website.

Are there other resources for help with SAM and guidance doing business with the government?

Yes. APEX Accelerators (formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers or PTACs) provide free help with SAM issues as well as free counseling and training for vendors that want to do business with the government. For more information and to locate the closest office in your state, please visit their website. More than 300 local APEX Accelerator offices serve most areas of the country. If there is not an APEX office that serves your specific area, contact one that is nearest to you, and they may be able to help you. Most APEX Accelerators can also provide assistance via phone, e-mail, and video call in cases where distance presents a challenge.

I already have audit and inspection documents; can I send those with my new vendor application?

No. The New Vendor team is unable to review audits/inspection documents. The New Vendor team must first receive all the requested administrative documentation in your Administrative Application for the Procurement Analyst to review. Once the Procurement Analysts begin their review, they will send you an email with the contact information for the technical portion (audits/inspections). At that point, it is the vendor’s responsibility to contact the technical team, communicate with them, and schedule any necessary audits/inspections.