Name | Type | Posted | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
12-3J14-26-B-0237 | LINK | Apr 16, 2026 |
Crackers for Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs
Contact and place of performance
Wendy Penn
Not specified
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 5.101(d). This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12-3J14-26-B-0237 is issued as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Cracker products pursuant to the AMS Master Invitation for Bids Domest...
View moreInformal 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, an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) 12-3J14-26-B-0237 for the procurement of cracker products. These commercial products are intended for use in Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs and will be acquired in accordance with the Master Invitation for Bids Domestic Commodity Procurement. This combined synopsis/solicitation constitutes the only solicitation for this requirement; no separate written document will be issued.
This acquisition is categorized under NAICS 311821 for Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing and PSC 8920 for Bakery and Cereal Products. There is no set-aside for small business concerns associated with this requirement. The solicitation incorporates all applicable federal provisions and clauses by reference. Formal responses to this notice must be submitted by the deadline of May 1, 2026.
Wendy Penn serves as the point of contact for this procurement, and one attachment was included with the announcement published on April 16, 2026. The agency emphasizes the use of its Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests to resolve concerns through internal Alternative Dispute Resolution processes before seeking external remedies. While the notice does not specify a place of performance, it outlines specific procedures for both informal and formal agency protests, including a target resolution timeline of 35 calendar days from the date of filing.
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