Contact and place of performance
Genesys Corrado
Not specified
Amendment 1, 03/26/2026, A0001: The following question was received in response to this solicitation: 1. Question: Please confirm which day the bid is due. Response: Bids are due April 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Daylight Time. Use the link provided in this contract opportunity to view the latest version. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accorda...
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The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA’s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman.
Informal Forum with the Ombudsman
1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer.
2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums.
3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).
Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman
1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions.
2. Independent Review: If the protester’s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government.
3. Resolution Timeline: The agency’s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing.
4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.
5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.
6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to [email protected] and the Contracting Officer.
Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed.
The Agricultural Marketing Service, a component of the United States Department of Agriculture, has issued invitation for bid number 2000011226 for the procurement of Section 32 tree nuts, specifically pecans and walnuts. This acquisition is categorized under NAICS 311911 for Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing and PSC 8925 for Sugar, Confectionery, and Nuts. The procurement is conducted as a total small business set-aside (SBA) for commercial products in accordance with FAR Part 12.
Bids for this solicitation, identified as 12-3J14-26-B-0184, are due by April 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Daylight Time. The notice includes two attachments, with the most recent update posted on March 26, 2026, to address inquiries regarding the response deadline. Genesys Corrado serves as the primary point of contact for this requirement.
The solicitation incorporates all relevant provisions and clauses by reference and establishes the USDA Ombudsman Program as the primary channel for addressing agency protests. Interested parties are encouraged to utilize the agency's internal Alternative Dispute Resolution process to resolve concerns regarding the procurement process. Formal protests filed through the Ombudsman Program are subject to a resolution goal of 35 calendar days and require the suspension of award or performance unless urgent circumstances are justified in writing.
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