This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is researching the commercial availability of Natural American Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese in bulk form (eg. barrels) for Federal Domestic Food Distribution Programs. Specifications for the reduced fat cheddar cheese barrels would be solicited in accordance with USDA Commodity Requirements Document, DNAC4, dated 9/10/2014 (see link below). http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Natural%20American%20Cheese%20%28DNAC4%29%20effective%20Sep%2010%2C%202014.pdf Comments submitted on this DNAC4 document are also welcome. This RFI will serve as market research to obtain information for the availability and specifications for this product. All information gathered in response to this RFI Notice will be used solely for planning purposes. This is not a formal solicitation, but a request for interested parties to provide information. No solicitation published by this office for Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese in bulk form currently exists. Process: All information provided with regard to the commercial practices for the reduced fat cheddar cheese should take into account USDA's 100 percent domestic origin requirement. Interested parties should answer the following questions and provide the requested information: 1) Your company's interest in supplying this product; 2) Complete description of the product and product brand name; 3) Product labeling information to include: a. ingredients list b. allergen statement c. nutrition facts panel d. Kosher and/or Halal certification, if applicable 4) Shipping requirements: a. temperature requirements b. any special storage requirements 5) Distribution Limitations: a. volume constraints; estimated capacity/quantity available on a monthly basis. b. geographic limitations if any; ability to provide product throughout the United States. 6) Options for bulk pack size other than barrel 7) Estimated cost or market price per unit; 8) Anticipated shelf life of the product; 9) Product bulletin/brochure, commercial label and commercial warranty; 10) Grading methodology, please indicate what grading and size standards are utilized by your organization; 11) Small Business Administration (SBA) size of your firm; 12) Any other relevant information, recommendations, comments, issues and/or concerns that would be beneficial to the Government; 13) Name, Title, contact information, and organization name, as applicable; and All vendors that are considering offering Natural American cheddar cheese to USDA must comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution of the product within the commercial marketplace. The delivered product shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and regulations promulgated there under. Responses and questions shall be emailed to the attention of Shirley Clayton at
[email protected] and to the attention of Bill Lang at
[email protected]