USDA Announces the State of Florida Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Pilot Program

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This is not an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotations (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP). The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to ascertain the availability of small business concerns to provide domestic fresh fruits & vegetables (FF&V) to school systems within various counties within the State of Florida on an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) basis. Domestic products are products that have been 100 percent grown, processed, and packed in the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. There is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products described in this RFI. Your response to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in developing its acquisition strategy. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFPs, if issued. If a solicitation is issued, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website. It is the responsibility of any potential offeror to monitor FedBizOps for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Below is a list of various counties within the State of Florida that may participate in a USDA/AMS program for the provision of fresh fruit and vegetables. All responders should identify any limitations associated with their capability to provide all the indicated fresh fruits and vegetables (see list of potential products below) to the indicated counties based on geographic location, amount of product to be supplied, catalogue of products offered, etc. Broward Calhoun Charlotte Clay Duval Flagler Franklin Gilchrist Holmes Indian River Lake Leon Manatee Marion Martin Monroe Osceola Okeechobee Palm Beach Pasco Polk Santa Rosa Sarasota Sumter Suwannee Union Wakulla Walton Below is a list of potential products that might be requested by counties within the State of Florida. All responses should identify which products in the list below can be provided, including whether they can be provided in the designated unit of issue or, if only available in another unit of issue, identify the available unit of issue. Additionally all responses should identify if there is a minimum or maximum buy quantity associated with a particular product. Product Description Apples, Golden Delicious U.S No. 1, Fresh, crisp, flavorful and well-colored with firm smooth skins. Avoid fruit with bruises, broken skin or internal browning. (40 lb/case) Apples, Granny Smith U.S No. 1, Fresh, crisp, flavorful and well-colored with firm smooth skins. Avoid fruit with bruises, broken skin or internal browning. (40 lb/case) Apples, Red U.S No. 1, Fresh, crisp, flavorful and well-colored with firm smooth skins. Avoid fruit with bruises, broken skin or internal browning. (40 lb/case) Avocado U.S. No. 1 fresh, large, dark green, smooth and shiny texture. (48 count double box) Avocado U.S. No. 2 fresh, large, dark green, smooth and shiny texture. (48 count double box) Banana Bananas should be of uniform shape and color, regardless of degree of ripeness. Avoid fruit with damaged skins. (40 lb/case) Blueberry Fresh, whole, full purple/blue color,plump, classic round shape, free of mold, uncolored or soft, dark spots,no shriveling or broken skin. (Flat) Broccoli Fresh cut, florets, sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (10 lb/bag) Cabbage US No. 1, Fresh, green, round or oval shaped, closely trimmed heads, uniform size, no splits, clean and dense, free from damage or decay. (50 lb/case) Cabbage U.S No. 2, Fresh, green, round or oval shaped, closely trimmed heads, no splits, clean and dense, free from damage or decay. (50 lb/case) Cabbage Fresh, green, chopped for coleslaw with grated carrot, sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (20 lb/case) Cabbage Fresh, red, shredded, 1/8", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (5 lb/bag) Carambola (Star Fruit) Whole. Sweet variety. Glossy yellow egg-shaped fruit with 4 to 6 fins that produce star shapes when cut. Should be yellow-green to yellow color and free from excessive browning along the fins. Carambola (Star Fruit) Sliced. Sweet variety. Should be yellow-in color and free from excessive browning along the fins. Carrot Whole, 1 3/8" - 2" in diameter. (20 lb/bag) Carrot Fresh, green, round or oval shaped, closely trimmed heads, no splits, clean and dense, free from damage or decay. (20 lb/bag) Carrot 2 " plug, peeled, 7/8"- 2" in diameter. (20 1-lb bags/case) Cauliflower Fresh cut, florets, sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (30 lb/carton) Celery Whole Fresh, Light green color with long, straight stalks and crisp texture. Leaves should be fresh, well-colored, and show no signs of wilting. (40 lb/case) Celery Sliced Fresh, Light green color with long, straight stalks and crisp texture and show no signs of wilting. (20 lb/case) Corn Fresh, sweet, yellow, well-filled, free from insects, injury or damage, husked, cut into cobbettes. (20 lb/case) Cucumber U.S No. 1, Fresh, medium, slicing type, green color, uniform size, free from sunscald. (40 lb/case) Cucumber U.S No. 2, Fresh, , slicing type, green color,some imperfections, mis-shapes. (40 lb/case) Cucumber Fresh, uniformly oval sliced, 3/16", washed, sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (5 lb/bag) Lettuce, Romaine U.S No. 1, Leaves should appear fresh and well colored. Avoid product that is discolored, wilted, or slimy. Warm product will deteriorate rapidly and valuable shelf life may be lost. Bulk mixes should be moist but not wet. (35 lb/case) Lettuce, Spring Mix U.S No. 1, Leaves should appear fresh and well colored. Avoid product that is discolored, wilted, or slimy. Warm product will deteriorate rapidly and valuable shelf life may be lost. Bulk mixes should be moist but not wet. (3 3-lb bags/case) Lettuce, Iceburg U.S No. 1, Leaves should appear fresh and well colored. Avoid product that is discolored, wilted, or slimy. Should arrive cold. Warm product will deteriorate rapidly and valuable shelf life may be lost. Bulk mixes should be moist but not wet. (35 lb/case) Mushroom U.S. No. 1, Fresh, well shaped appearance, firm texture, and be free of spots. Avoid mushrooms that show signs of deterioration, mold, or that appear slimy. (20 lb/box) Mushroom U.S No. 2, Fresh, , slicing type, not soft, which are at least fairly well shaped, tender, and are free from decay. (20 lb/box) Orange Fresh, Navel or Temple. (40 lb/case) Peach U.S No. 1 Fresh, Well shaped, firm flesh, no bruising or shriveling. Skin color should be creamy or yellow with varying degrees of red blush or mottling, depending on the variety. Ripe peaches should give to gentle palm pressure. (20 lb/case) Pepper Fresh, Sweet Mini, mixed color, glossy, firm. (25 lb/carton) Pepper, Green Fresh, Bell, green, med-lg size, glossy, firm. (25 lb/carton) Pepper, Green Fresh, Bell, green color, uniformly sliced, ¼", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (20 lb/carton) Pepper, Yellow Fresh, Bell, yellow, med-lg size, glossy, firm. (25 lb/carton) Pepper, Yellow Fresh, Bell, yellow color, uniformly sliced, ¼", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (20 lb/bag) Pepper, Red Fresh, Bell, red, med-lg size, glossy, firm. (25 lb/carton) Pepper, Red Fresh, Bell, red color, uniformly sliced, ¼", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (25 lb/carton) Pepper, Sweet Fresh, Miniature, red,yellow and orange. Uniformly sliced 1/4" sulfite, gas permeable packaging. (10 lb/carton) Potato, Idaho Baking Fresh, Uniformly sized, fairly clean, firm, and smooth. Avoid potatoes with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green appearance. (50 lb/bag) Potato, Red Fresh, Uniformly sized, fairly clean, firm, and smooth. Avoid potatoes with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green appearance. (50 lb/bag) Radish Fresh, bright in color with firm, well-formed roots and crisp, white flesh. Attached tops should be green and fresh. Avoid radishes that appear dry, wilted, spongy, rough-skinned, or with external damage. (40 lb/case) Satsuma Fresh, Free from degreening burn and excessive puffiness, juicy flesh, uniform size, full color. (1/2 bushel) Snap Bean Fresh, green, snipped, bush- or pole-type, long, straight pods, good color, snap easily when bent. (20 lb bags) Spinach Fresh, bunched and washed, rootless, well-trimmed, free from damage and decay. (25 lb/bushel) Spinach Fresh, chopped, sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (10 lb/pk) Squash, Yellow U.S No.1, Fresh, straightneck, medium, color typical of variety, firm and shiny. (25 lb/pk) Squash, Yellow U.S No.2, Fresh, straightneck, medium to oversized, color typical of variety, firm and shiny. (25 lb/pk) Squash, Yellow Fresh cut, uniformly oval sliced and half-moon cut, ¼", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (20 lb/pk) Squash, Zucchini U.S No. 1, Fresh, medium to dark green skin, firm, well-shaped and shiny, 5" to 7" in length. (25 lb/case) Squash, Zucchini U.S No. 2, Fresh,medium to dark green skin, firm, and shiny. (25 lb/case) Squash, Zucchini Fresh cut, uniformly oval sliced and half-moon cut, ¼", sulfite-free, gas permeable packaging. (20 lb/case) Strawberry Fresh, whole, full red color, fresh green caps, med-lg size, classic conical shape, free of mold, uncolored or soft, dark spots. (12 lb flat) Sweet Potato Fresh, firm and well-shaped with clean, smooth skins. Avoid sweet potatoes with bruises, soft spots, or signs of decay. (40 lb/case) Tangerine Free from degreening burn and excessive puffiness, juicy flesh, uniform size, full color. (180 count/box) Tomato Fresh, Cherry, well-shaped, shiny skin, firm flesh, no shriveling, smooth and evenly round. (12 pt/case) Tomato Fresh, Red Grape, well-shaped, shiny skin, firm flesh, no shriveling, smooth and evenly round. (12 pt/case) Tomato U.S. No. 1, Fresh, 6x6 large, round, red, well-shaped, shiny skin, firm flesh, no shriveling, smooth and evenly round. (12 lb/case) Tomato U.S No. 2, Fresh shiny skin, firm flesh, no shriveling and smooth. (25 lb/case) Watermelon Fresh, Round shape with dark or light green rind. Juicy red or yellow flesh with seeds. 85 lb/cartons, bulk bins) Interested firms who believe they are capable of providing the above mentioned products are invited to indicate their interest by providing: 1. Company Name and Address. 2. Point of Contact (Name, telephone, and e-mail). 3. Size of business pursuant to the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code 311991. Please specify your business as either large (greater than 500 employees), small business (500 employees or less), or 8(a) (a contractor eligible under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)). 4. Specify your company's capability to provide the product of a small business concern. Will all products be supplied by a small business or will some products be supplied by large businesses? Which products? Is it possible for your company to provide all products from small businesses? 5. Applicable Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS), Tax Identification Number (TIN), CAGE code. 6. Indicate whether you are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (if so, supply a copy of your registration) and are a qualified AMS vendor with access to WBSCM. If not, indicate your capability and willingness to do become registered in these systems. 7. Describe your capability and willingness of your business/facility to provide all the fresh produce to one or more of the identified counties, including any limitations such as maximum number of counties, specific counties, unlimited counties, geographic location limitations, minimum and maximum amounts of product to be supplied, catalogue of products offered, etc. 8. Describe your capability to provide all of the products identified above in the specified units of issue. If unable to provide them in the specified units of issue, indicate the units of issue in which you are capable of supplying them. 9. Describe any USDA or third party audits by a certification body accredited by one of the internationally recognized food safety schemes benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative such as Food Defense Audits, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Handling Practices (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and any other applicable audits that your company has passed. 10. Describe how you ensure 100% domestic origin of the FF&V supplied, including the traceability from subcontractors, including growers, processors, and distributers. Provide an example of documentation that specifies the location where the FF&V was grown, processed and shipped. 11. Provide a description of comparable work performed within the past 5 years - a brief description of the project, customer name, timeliness of performance, customer satisfaction, and dollar value of the project - provide at least three examples. Questions concerning this RFI can be directed to Felicitas C. Lofton at 202-720-9199. Please limit all responses to five or less pages. The closing date for this RFI is September 29, 2015. All responses shall be transmitted electronically to [email protected] with "RFI AG-FFRT-SS-15-0002, AMS FL F&V Information" in the subject line".