Cheddar and Mozzarella String Cheese for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an award notice for Cheddar and Mozzarella String Cheese under solicitation 12-3J14-26-B-0117. This procurement supports Child Nutrition and other Domestic Food Distribution Programs, with a total awarded value of $990,728.17.
Scope of Work
The contract involves the supply and delivery of specific dairy products to support food assistance initiatives. Key deliverables include:
- Cheddar Cheese, Yellow Chunks (12/1 LB): 151,200.000 LB
- Cheddar Cheese, Yellow Shredded (6/2 LB): 302,400.000 LB
- Mozzarella String Cheese (360/1 OZ): 60,480.000 LB
All products must be manufactured in USDA-approved plants and meet strict packaging requirements for domestic distribution.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Award Notice (Firm Fixed-Price)
- Total Award Value: $990,728.17
- Period of Performance: April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026
- Award Date: February 2, 2026
- Set-Aside: Mixed (Unrestricted for Cheddar; up to 35% Small Business Set-aside and HUBZone preference for Mozzarella String Cheese)
Evaluation
The award was the result of a competitive solicitation process. A total of nine offers were received and evaluated by the Commodity Procurement Program. Selection was based on the requirements outlined in the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system.
Additional Notes
Deliveries are destined for various domestic locations to support federal food assistance programs. Further information regarding future commodity procurements can be found on the AMS website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.