The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued solicitations for fresh oranges, apples and pears.
In the agency’s solicitation for fresh oranges, the USDA said that offers for fresh oranges are due by Nov. 19, according to a news release.
The fresh oranges will be used in the national school lunch program and other food assistance of programs. The USDA will announce contracts for the orange buys after Dec. 10, with deliveries of fresh oranges made between Jan. 4 and April 7.
The agency also said it is inviting offers from suppliers to sell fresh apples and pears to nutrition programs. The fruit will be used in the national school lunch program and other nutrition programs.
Offers are due Nov. 19, and apple and pear contracts will be announced Dec. 10, according to the release.
The USDA said vendors or subcontractors who are supplying fresh fruit crops to the agency must ensure that each of their suppliers/subcontractors who grow, harvest, pack, hold, and handle product have approved and current food safety verification audits prior to the bid opening date of the solicitation. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) scopes which are necessary to meet the minimum requirement to be deemed responsive are as follows:
- GAP — Farm review and field harvesting and field packing activities; and
- GHP — House Packing Facility AND Storage & Transportation.
