This Spring issue has new updates from our Commodity Procurement Program (CPP). It includes information on GS1 GDSN requirement for vendors, commodity specification changes, WBSCM’s new feature to report incidents, USDA’s high-security seals requirement changes, CPP's quarterly webinar, and market research for Kosher and Halal food products. |
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GS1 GDSN® Requirement for USDA Foods Vendors
Nutrition and Specification Management Division
 Check your inbox for CIC (Catalog Item Confirmation) messages and report product information immediately on the Global Data Synchronization Network GS1 GDSN®!
- USDA Foods vendors who supply to schools are required to report accurate nutrition, allergen, and ingredient information on the GS1 GDSN®.
- The USDA Foods Database helps schools with menu planning and decreases direct state/school district vendor contact.
For additional questions, please contact:
CPPNPDNutrition@usda.gov or USDAFoods@usda.gov
USDA Foods Commodity Specifications Updates
Nutrition and Specification Management Division
Below are some updates and changes that have been made to the USDA Foods Commodity Specifications as they pertain to Livestock and Poultry.
Livestock and Poultry:
Supplement 603 for Frozen Bison Products: Updated to include changes in microbial testing requirements, package size change, and modifications to the bison stew material number.
Supplement 211 for Frozen Ground Beef Products and Supplement 212 for Fresh Chilled Boneless Beef Products for Further Processing into Fully Cooked Items: Updated to include changes in microbial testing requirements.
Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) for Chicken Fajita Strips, Fully Cooked, Frozen: Updated to include changing the language to be more current, increasing the date processed from 60 to 90 days, adding the grading or auditing certification option, and adding contractor checkloading.
Federal Purchase Program Specification (FPPS) for Consumer Pack Chicken, Frozen: Updated to include adding new material codes for split breast, increasing the WOG range for whole, split breast and breast, adding “Skinless” to the chicken thighs, updating breast for payment to be based on case count versus product weight, allowing a 1% variance delivery unit weight, increasing the date processed from 60 to 90 days, and updating the contractor checkloading language and certification options language.
For additional information on commodity specifications, please visit the AMS Specifications & Requirements webpage: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs
Report Incidents through WBSCM Portal
Web-Based Supply Chain Management Division
 There used to be no mechanism for WBSCM users to submit helpdesk incidents through the WBSCM Portal. However, with the March 2023 release, WBSCM is now providing this capability to the users.
Previously, internal or external users running into any issue in WBSCM had to log a helpdesk incident via email. With this enhancement, users are now able to create an incident with WBSCM helpdesk directly from the WBSCM portal.
The system provides the standard template for them to answer questions related to their issue and provides instructions on how to capture the error message and embed in their incident. The system automatically populates the user ID and the email of the user.
The user will simply fill out the template, attach the screenshot of the error message and submit their incident. This will automatically generate an incident and a confirmation email will be sent to their email address with the incident number.
New Vendor Outreach: APEX Accelerators, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Operations and Support Division
 On Wednesday, April 26, the New Vendor Specialists partnered with Rich Lyles from the Northwest Texas APEX Accelerator to host the third quarterly webinar with 92 registered participants and 73 total users that actually attended. APEX Accelerators, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) offer personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully. If vendors already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, APEX Accelerators are available to help. They offer businesses help with strategies to pursue state, local and federal government contracts.
The AMS Commodity Procurement Program's webinar with the Northwest Texas APEX Accelerator discussed the various services they offer, such as confidential, one-on-one advice, and how to navigate the procurement process more efficiently. Rich focused on the APEX Accelerators' assistance, which is tailored to meet a vendor’s specific goals in SAM registration assistance, billing/Invoicing assistance, contract research, bid matching, marketing plans, subcontracting, proposal presentation, GSA schedules, Certifications [HubZone, 8(a) etc.], and post-award counseling.
If you are interested in the watching one of our previous webinars, please go to our website. Additionally, there are currently many opportunities to purchase food commodities. You can find these opportunities on our website.
If you have questions or need additional assistance you can email us at newvendor@usda.gov.
Nutrition and Specification Management Division
USDA Aligns Transportation Requirements with Industry Practice to Reduce Barriers to Participation in USDA Commodity Procurement Food Purchase Programs
Effective July 1, 2023, suppliers of food purchase programs administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will be allowed to use traceable, tamper-evident commercial security seals or high security seals on transports.
Suppliers will no longer be required to use specifically high security seals on trucks, railcars, vessels, and other transports when delivering USDA food products.
This change aligns with current industry standard practices and reduces barriers to vendor participation in USDA food purchase programs. The updated AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) reflects the changes for seal requirements. The AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement’s International Programs will be updated later this month.
If you have additional questions, please contact CPPNPDNutrition@usda.gov.
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