Two-Step Sealed Bid Solicitation: Refried and Vegetarian Beans Step One: Request for Technical Proposals (RFTP)
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 USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)-Commodity Procurement Program (CPP) is issuing a Two-Step Sealed Bid Solicitation for the procurement of Canned Refried and Vegetarian Beans for Domestic food assistance programs. This notice represents Step One: Request for Technical Proposals (RFTP). Deliveries will be to various locations in the United States on an FOB origin basis. Technical proposals are due March 09, 2026, at 13:00 Central Time.
Scope of Work
This opportunity seeks Canned Refried and Vegetarian Beans that are a product of the United States, meaning they must be grown, processed, and prepared exclusively within the U.S. Packaging and container components are subject to WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and Free Trade Agreements (FTA). The solicitation will specify pack sizes, quantities, and delivery schedules.
Contract Details
- Type: Two-Step Sealed Bid Solicitation (Step One: RFTP)
- Final Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price
- Commodity: Canned Refried and Vegetarian Beans
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due (Technical Proposals): March 09, 2026, 13:00 Central Time
- Notification of Technical Acceptability: April 09, 2026, Midnight, Central Time
- Published: February 24, 2026 (Notice), February 25, 2026 (Document)
Key Requirements & Submission
Offerors must submit a technical proposal that includes:
- A narrative (max two pages) detailing experience producing commercial Canned Refried and Vegetarian Beans and past performance.
- A sample prototype (two #300 cans with retail commercial packaging, nutritional information, nutrition facts panel, ingredients statement, and allergen declaration).
- Technical proposals shall NOT include prices or pricing information.
- Samples must be labeled: “SAMPLES SUBMITTED UNDER SOLICITATION 2000011199 FOR EVALUATION BY USDA STAFF."
All bids, modifications, and withdrawals must be submitted electronically through USDA Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) at https://portal.wbscm.usda.gov/publicprocurement. Submissions by any other means will be deemed nonresponsive.
Eligibility & Evaluation
Potential contractors must meet AMS vendor qualification requirements established under FAR Subpart 9.2. Contact newvendor@usda.gov for details. Once qualified, access to WBSCM will be provided.
Technical proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Product Characteristics: Texture, appearance, color, flavor typical of mildly spicy refried beans.
- Overall Color: Red-brown, not burnt, scorched, or undercooked.
- Appearance: Smooth paste with some chunks of beans and peppers.
- Texture: Moist, not dry, pasty, or oily; slightly firm but not undercooked, easy to chew.
- Flavor: Typical mild spicy seasoned flavor with a mild tomato flavor, not hot or scorched.
Late submissions are addressed under FAR provision 52.214-23.
Additional Notes
Offerors with previously approved technical proposals do not need to resubmit unless there are changes to the USDA specification or formulation. The Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) and commodity specifications are available on the AMS website.