Frozen Fruit Juice for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF.AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE.USDA AMS 3J14 · Response deadline: Wed, 04 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is soliciting frozen fruit juice for use in domestic food assistance programs. The agency administers federal programs that distribute food products to schools, food banks, and other nutrition assistance channels. Frozen fruit juice in this context typically serves as a commodity for programs like the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, or The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These programs require shelf-stable, nutritious products that meet federal nutritional guidelines and can be distributed efficiently through existing food distribution networks.
The 311411 NAICS code covers "Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing," indicating this is a product supply contract for processed agricultural goods rather than fresh or raw commodities. Contractors in this space typically handle processing, packaging, labeling, and delivery of food products meeting USDA commodity specifications. See the solicitation for exact product types, volumes, and delivery schedules.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 12-3J14-27-B-0010 |
| NAICS | 311411 (Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | No Set Aside Used |
| Response deadline | November 4, 2026, 1:00 PM Central Time |
| Place of performance | Washington, DC |
Who can bid
This opportunity is open to all responsible sources—no small business or socioeconomic set-aside applies. Large and small businesses may compete directly. Food manufacturers registered in SAM.gov with active UPC/GLN codes, proper food facility registrations, and capacity to meet USDA commodity requirements should evaluate this opportunity.
For small businesses, NAICS 311411 carries a Small Business Administration size standard typically based on employee count or annual receipts—verify current thresholds at SBA.gov. Without a set-aside, small businesses compete on price, technical capability, and past performance against all offerors. Relevant experience includes prior USDA commodity contracts, state food distribution contracts, or commercial frozen juice supply to institutional buyers. Financial stability matters significantly given the commodity scale and delivery reliability requirements of food assistance programs.
How to put together a competitive bid
Frozen fruit juice commodity contracts emphasize unit pricing, production capacity, and distribution reliability. Focus your proposal on:
Technical compliance: Obtain and verify conformance with the applicable USDA commodity specifications for frozen fruit juice products—these detail brix levels, fruit content, packaging, labeling, and nutritional requirements.
Pricing strategy: Government commodity purchases are heavily price-competitive. Calculate delivered costs carefully, accounting for frozen storage, refrigerated transportation to Washington, DC, and potential price adjustment clauses tied to agricultural commodity markets.
Capacity documentation: Demonstrate sufficient production and cold storage capacity. USDA typically requires evidence of manufacturing facilities, HACCP plans, and FDA food facility registrations.
Past performance: Reference comparable contracts, especially USDA AMS, Department of Defense subsistence, or state agency food purchases. Include delivery performance metrics and quality acceptance rates.
Delivery network: Detail your cold chain logistics capable of meeting distribution requirements in the Washington, DC area, including backup plans for equipment failure or supply disruptions.
Perishable food contracts often include inspection rights, lot testing, and rejection procedures—address your quality assurance protocols directly.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 12-3J14-27-B-0010. The complete document will contain product specifications, estimated quantities, delivery requirements, contract terms, and exact evaluation criteria. Note the firm response deadline of November 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time—late submissions are inadmissible in federal procurements. Register or verify your SAM.gov account status, obtain any required USDA vendor designations, and confirm your DUNS/UEI and CAGE code information is current before preparing your offer.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →