Notice of New Commodity Requirements for Vegetable Oil Products for use in International Food Assistance Programs

The Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture is a buyer of domestic origin food commodities for use in various U.S. Government international food aid programs, and from time to time issues solicitations to purchase a variety of commodities. Specifications for commodity purchases are generally published in Commodity Requirements Documents (CRD) available on the Commodity Operations' website. A revised version of the CRD for refined/packaged vegetable oil products (VO) is being published today via this Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) notice (see document package 1). The new CRD is called VO15, and will become effective November 20, 2012. Once effective, it will be available with other current CRDs on the Commodity Operations website at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=coop&topic=pas-ex-cr Changes in vegetable oil requirements include a new premix composition--to include vitamins A and D, new premix testing requirements, and revised markings on packaging to reflect the additional micronutrient fortification. VO15 verbiage that is new or revised (in comparison to VO14), is in bold font in the attached CRD. Interested parties are encouraged to read the new CRD in its entirety in order to understand the new commodity specifications for vegetable oil products that will be applicable for solicitations issued on or after November 20, 2012. This notice of revised commodity requirements is being provided for all interested parties. Each solicitation to purchase vegetable oil for international food aid programs will clearly identify the requirements document applicable in accordance with FAR 11.201(b).