Dry Edible, Beans, Peas and Lentils for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF.AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE.USDA AMS 3J14 · Response deadline: Mon, 16 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service is procuring dry edible beans, peas, and lentils for use in domestic food assistance programs. These commodities typically support federal nutrition initiatives such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), school meal programs, and other USDA food distribution efforts that provide staple goods to food banks, schools, and households in need.
Goods in this category generally require compliance with federal commodity specifications for quality, packaging, and food safety. USDA commodity procurements of this type often involve delivery to specified warehouses or distribution centers for inclusion in the broader federal food distribution network. see the solicitation
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 12-3J14-27-B-0072 |
| NAICS | 311999 — All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | November 16, 2026, 1:00 PM CST |
| Place of performance | see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This opportunity is reserved for small businesses only under a total small business set-aside. To qualify, your business must meet the size standard for NAICS 311999. The Small Business Administration typically sets size standards for this code by employee count or annual receipts; verify your eligibility at SAM.gov or sba.gov/size-standards before investing bid preparation time.
You must be registered in SAM.gov with active status to receive an award. If your firm has not completed SAM registration or has an upcoming expiration, address this immediately—processing can take several business days. Past performance references and proof of ability to meet commodity volume and delivery requirements will likely factor in evaluation. see the solicitation
How to put together a competitive bid
Understand the commodity specifications. USDA bean, pea, and lentil procurements adhere to detailed federal specifications covering grade standards, moisture content, defect tolerances, and packaging. Review the solicitation for the specific product types (navy beans, pinto beans, lentils, split peas, etc.), quantity ranges, and delivery schedules.
Price competitively with freight baked in. These procurements are typically evaluated on delivered price. Calculate your cost of goods, processing or sourcing, and transportation to the designated delivery points. Freight optimization—whether through rail, truck, or warehouse consolidations—often separates winning from losing bids in bulk commodity contracts.
Demonstrate supply chain reliability. The government needs assurance of consistent supply for food assistance programs. Document your sourcing relationships, inventory capacity, milling or processing capabilities, and contingency plans for crop shortfalls or logistics disruptions.
Meet food safety and regulatory requirements. Expect requirements for FDA registration, HACCP compliance, allergen controls, and possibly organic or specific handling certifications. Ensure your facility can withstand a USDA or third-party audit.
Factor in payment timing. USDA commodity contracts typically pay via electronic funds transfer after delivery and acceptance. Price accordingly for your cash flow needs.
Next steps
- Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 12-3J14-27-B-0072 to confirm quantities, delivery locations, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
- Verify your small business size status for NAICS 311999.
- Confirm SAM.gov registration is active through at least the award date.
- Note the deadline: Proposals are due November 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time—late submissions are inadmissible in federal procurement.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →