The USDA plans to purchase fresh grapefruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.
Purchases will be made with the purpose of encouraging the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce, according to the release.
Ample availability of fresh grapefruit is projected to increase due to slower movement in the domestic and export markets, the release said.
“This provides a timely opportunity for the [USDA] to purchase competitively priced and nutritious fresh grapefruit in consumer-friendly form suitable for use in domestic food assistance programs, including charitable institutions,” the agency said in the release.
The USDA said the U.S. average terminal market price for grapefruit on June 24 was $25.58 per carton, down from $27.46 per carton compared with the same time a year ago.
Solicitations will be issued in the near future and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management system, the release said.
The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed price, the release said. Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the U.S. on an fob destination basis.
Grapefruit acquired under this contract must be a product of the U.S., according to the release.
The USDA point of contact for new vendors can be reached at 202-720-4237 or NewVendor@usda.gov. Details of these requirements are available at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.
