Dec 14, 2018

Apple products top USDA’s procurement program buys

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Commodity Procurement Program (CPP), is currently soliciting and awarding the first round of contracts for the Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP). This will be a continuing effort throughout Fiscal Year 2019, with $1.2 billion allotted for this purchase program.

The program was created to provide an outlet for agricultural commodities that are negatively affected by tariffs. The average number of trucks purchased by CPP under the annual schedule is 64,862 per year. The estimated number of trucks that could potentially be purchased under this program is 33,847, a possible increase of 52 percent. These purchases will be for 28 different commodities throughout four phases covering delivery periods during the 2019 calendar year.

The table above highlights some of the contracts that have been awarded for this program thus far. For purchases that are coming up in subsequent quarters of FY 2019, please be sure to subscribe to CPP’s email list for more information about these upcoming bids.

So far apples have represented the biggest awards made, with more than $15 million worth purchased amounting to about 60 million apples delivered. The products awarded so far will be delivered to 304 different locations, among them smaller food banks and large warehouses that will further distribute these commodities.

If your firm would like the opportunity to participate, AMS has resources available to help guide you through our qualification process. There are six steps for becoming a USDA approved vendor. A detailed guide available online at https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/becoming-approved.

Potential vendors can also view a brief webinar that lays out the steps of how to become approved. If you have any questions about the process, contact CPP at [email protected]

– Robert Wintersteen,Commodity Procurement Program, Agricultural Marketing Service

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