(A0001) 3/11/2026) This amendment is issued to: 1. Answer, questions received from bidders for, solicitation 2000011217 Section 32 Fresh Pears. 2. Questions and Answers start on page two of this document. 3. The Instructions to Offerers was updated to include size update. The update is in blue text. Question 1: Can you please confirm the same grade standards apply to Bosc as they do the Anjou and Bartlett for the trays and the bags? Answer 1: Grades for Tray pack Fresh Pears and Fresh Pear Bags are not the same. Tray pack Grade Requirement: Grade - U.S. No. 2. Provided that the pears do not contain more than five percent condition defects, including not more than a total of two percent decay and/or internal breakdown. State Grades will be acceptable provided that the pears meet the minimum requirements of U.S. No. 2 Grade (i.e., Oregon/Washington Fancy). Bag Grade Requirement:Grade – U.S. No. 1. Provided that the pears do not contain more than five percent condition defects. State Grades will be acceptable provided that the pears meet the minimum requirements of the U.S. No. 1 Grade (i.e., Oregon/Washington Extra Fancy). Question 2: Several of the pear growers states they would like to increase the size specifications to allow for larger fruit, due to the fact the solicitation has released late into the crop year, allowing for this size modification will ensure they have the volume to cover through the end of the delivery period. Answer 2: Size requirements have been updated on the instruction to offers document, for the following materials- (110560) PEARS FRESH PKG-12/3 LBSize - Pears should be packed to a minimum size of 2 1/8 inches in diameter and a maximum size of 3 inches in diameter. (111422) PEARS D’ANJOU FRESH CTN-40 LB & (111423) PEARS BOSC FRESH CTN-40 LB Size - a. Tray pack - minimum size 165; maximum size 70. b. Wrapped pack - minimum size 165; maximum size 70. Question 3: Can Red D'Anjou be used? Answer 3: Yes Question 4: Are Green Anjou Pears are acceptable? Answer 4: Yes Question 5: Just from the pallet itself, can suppliers use full pallets of both red and green? Answer 5:Suppliers must not commingle both red and green pears in a pallet. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 2000011217 is issued as an invitation for bid (IFB) for Section 32 Fresh Pears. This acquisition is a set-aside for small business concerns and service-disabled veteran-owned small business. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA’s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Informal Forum with the Ombudsman 1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer. 2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums. 3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable). Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman 1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions. 2. Independent Review: If the protester’s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government. 3. Resolution Timeline: The agency’s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing. 4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest. 5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104. 6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to
[email protected] and the Contracting Officer. Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed.